
KCAI Alum Roberto Lugo Featured on PBS’s Craft in America
02.02.2026
Kansas City Art Institute alum Roberto Lugo (’12 Ceramics) is featured in a recent episode of PBS’s long-running series Craft in America, highlighting his influential practice at the intersection of ceramics, history, and social justice.
Roberto Lugo (’12 Ceramics) was featured in the Craft in America episode titled “East,” which premiered on December 19 on PBS. The nationally broadcast series celebrates contemporary craft artists whose work reflects both personal expression and cultural legacy.
In the episode, Lugo’s ceramic work is presented within the broader context of artists shaping the craft traditions of the Eastern United States. Known for his portrait-based vessels and references to hip-hop, history, and social inequity, Lugo uses ceramics as a platform to explore identity, power, and representation within the decorative arts.
Craft in America has spent more than 15 years documenting the artists, materials, and stories that define American craft. Lugo’s inclusion places him among a distinguished group of makers whose work is helping redefine the field on a national stage. His feature on Craft in America marks another significant milestone in a career rooted in both artistic excellence and cultural impact.
The episode is available to stream on PBS’s website.