Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman: California Mid-Century Designers is the definitive account of the pioneering husband-and-wife team who helped shape the legacy of mid-century design and craft in California.

Central figures in postwar Southern California, Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman combined modernist principles with traditional craft techniques, including weaving, ceramics, carving, tapestries, mosaics, and textiles. Their work stood out for its vibrant color, refined craftsmanship, and thoughtful artistry, while remaining accessible to a broad audience. Through their studios, Jenev Design Studio and ERA Industries, and their participation in the influential California Design exhibitions from 1954 to 1976, the Ackermans translated bold ideas into a wide range of materials that defined an era.

Written by their daughter, Laura Ackerman-Shaw, this expanded volume builds on the success of the earlier monograph Hand-in-Hand and features a significantly larger format with approximately 80 percent new material. Much of this content was uncovered in the Ackermans’ personal archives and includes previously unseen drawings, photographs, and archival documents. With new and updated essays by leading scholars, the book shifts focus from biography to the broader cultural impact of the Ackermans’ work, offering an essential perspective for collectors, designers, and mid-century enthusiasts.

• Publisher: Pointed Leaf Press
• Publication date: May 20, 2025
• Language: English
• Print length: 256 pages
• ISBN-10: 1938461665
• ISBN-13: 978-1938461668
• Item weight: 3.65 pounds
• Dimensions: 9 x 1.05 x 12 inches