CARROM X

Founded in 1889 in Ludington, Michigan, The Carrom Company has been America’s premier maker of classic tabletop games for more than 130 years. What began as a small woodworking shop evolved into a beloved institution, known for preserving the craftsmanship and joy of games like Carrom and Nok Hockey.® With a commitment to quality materials, precise engineering, and timeless design, Carrom has become the gold standard for generations of families.

In an era dominated by screens and digital technology, The Carrom Company remains committed to creating authentic memories and meaningful relationships that form between generations of families and friends. Whether it’s family game night around the kitchen table, after-school, summer camp tournaments, or weekend competitions, our games provide spaces where people truly connect eye to eye and laugh to laugh.

New York City–based artist and fashion designer Clarence Ruth brings a distinctive perspective to this collaboration through his brand, Cotte D’Armes. Known for blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, his work explores the balance between functionality and artistry, often drawing on themes of uniformity and utilitarianism reimagined through a modern lens.

Clarence’s curatorial vision for this exhibition is rooted in his appreciation for objects that are both beautiful and functional. His insight into the maker’s craft and the user’s experience positions him as a natural bridge between The Carrom Company’s manufacturing heritage and the contemporary art world’s creative expression.

For nearly 50 years, Tom Carson has been transforming premium hardwoods into functional works of art at Carson Wood Specialties in Stevensville, Michigan. As The Carrom Company's co-manufacturer, Tom and his family team—wife Charlene and daughter Nicole—handcraft each game with the same meticulous attention to detail that rebuilt their business after a devastating fire in 2009.

Working just a quarter-mile from home, Tom personally oversees every step of production, ensuring each artist collaboration meets the exacting standards that have defined both Carson Wood Specialties and The Carrom Company's 130+ year legacy. For the Carrom X Clarence Ruth collection, he brings raw maple to life, translating each artist's vision into a game that will create memories for generations.