/UCWE/ PORTLAND, OR – The Roycrofters at Large Association (RALA) has appointed CJ Hurley, a Portland artist, to the distinct status of Roycroft Renaissance Artisan. This announcement was made after the Roycroft Jury and Board of Directors annual meeting and review of artisan applications and works.

The highly protected Roycroft Renaissance mark has a prestigious historical legacy and makes Hurley a part of an American Tradition that has stood as a symbol of outstanding Hand-Crafted Quality for 100 years. Although many artisans working in the Arts & Crafts movement apply to become a Roycrofter every year, very few are accepted. There are currently 45 Roycroft Renaissance artisans across the United States; Hurley is the only Roycrofter in the Northwest.

As a Roycroft Renaissance Artisan, Hurley receives the right to use the Roycroft name and distinct mark. With eight years of experience in the revival of the Arts & Crafts Architectural Movement and a practicing fine artist for more than 15 years, Hurley will continue to work towards reintroducing the decorative details and frieze work of America’s historic homes while remaining true to handcrafted quality as demanded by the Roycroft tradition.

Hurley’s diverse art background includes paintings centered on social concerns with influences ranging from traditional Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, both Western and Asian religious history, and Western and Eastern goddess mythology. Hurley has exhibited and sold paintings in local galleries located in various East Coast towns he lived, as well as in larger galleries in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, St. Louis and San Diego. He now dedicates his time to historical architecture where he specializes in creating period frieze installations, and period style artwork to decorate Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau and Victorian homes.

About The Roycroft
The American Roycroft community was founded in 1895 by Arts & Crafts philosopher and follower of William Morris, Elbert Hubbard. The Roycroft was one of the first communities of its kind in the US and stands as an original Arts & Crafts Movement institution with a proud historical legacy. The Arts & Crafts Movement was a 19th and 20th century architectural and decorative arts reform movement that heralded a new age of honest handcrafted goods that were true to function and form. The original Roycroft mark comes from an order of monks who handcrafted items for the king and were named “Royal Craftsmen”. The mark symbolizes handcrafted items of Quality, Distinction, and Integrity. The Roycroft Renaissance began in 1976 and a new mark was created to symbolize the roots of the original Roycroft, Progress and Growth for the future; Justice, Faith, Hope, and Love.
For more information: http://www.roycrofter.com/ ;

About CJ Hurley Century Arts
Artist and designer CJ Hurley, was born and raised in Pleasant Valley, New York and studied Fine Arts at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. It was in college where he met his wife and business partner, Barbara Pierce. Created out of Hurley and Pierce’s love of architecture, historic homes, and the great art movements that inspire Hurley’s work, CJ Hurley Century Arts is located out of the couple’s home in the historical Laurelhurst district of Portland, Oregon. The business is dedicated to the decorative details and fine art of historic and period style homes and focuses on Custom Designed Hand Painted Friezes, Historic Color Consultation, Period Style Paintings and Gesso Panels.
For more information: http://www.cjhurley.com