PRESS RELEASE: Artists Report on their Journeys and their Work At Worcester Center for Crafts

Worcester, MA—What influences a young person to start working in ceramics or glass? There are as many answers to that question as there are artists/makers in the world.

But on October 10 and 17, at two brown-bag lunches hosted by the Worcester Center for Crafts, the public will get a glimpse into the motivations of the Center’s current group of ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE. The talks which are free to the public will begin at Noon.

On Wednesday, October 10 the public will hear from Faith Connor, a second year resident who resides in Lancaster, MA. She is a ceramics artist. Also on the bill for October 10 are Michelle Grey (ceramics), Phoebe Scott (ceramics), Meredith Collins (glass), and Angela McHale (2nd year Glass resident).

Abby Nohai (ceramics) and Momo Shafer (glass) will highlight the October 17 lunch talks—both are second year residents. Also speaking on October 17 are Lindsy Marshall (glass), Molly Roderick (glass), and Kim Gardner (ceramics).

The Worcester Center for Crafts’ Artists in Residence Program is a way to sustain craft and insure the next generation of artists carrying on craft traditions. Open to aspiring artists in clay, and glass (and those who might work across more than one medium), the Worcester Center for Crafts’ Artists in Residence Program is designed to support the growth of pre-professional artists. Residents are chosen through a competitive process and are with the Center for 1 to 2 years.

Artists in Residence terms generally begin in September and go through 10 active months, culminating with a group exhibit in the Krikorian Gallery, which in 2019 year will be in May. 

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About the Worcester Center for Crafts:

The Worcester Center for Crafts (WCC) is one of the oldest non-profit institutions for craft study in the United States. Founded in 1856 as the Worcester Employment Society to help immigrants produce and sell hand-crafted wares to support their families, the Center evolved over the past 155 years into New England's leading center for craft education, exhibition and entrepreneurship. In 2004, the organization expanded and opened the New Street Glass Studio - an off-campus, 8,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, multi-studio glass facility. The WCC offers the only comprehensive glass studio program in New England available to the public. Through an affiliation begun in 2009, the WCC is home to the Worcester State University visual arts studios and partners in community outreach.

The Craft Center's mission is "to inspire and build a creative community through the promotion, appreciation and teaching of craft." This mission includes the public education initiatives adult education classes and workshops, , exhibitions showcasing the work of established and emerging artists, artist residencies, lectures, family events, studio rentals, Gallery Store, its Youth Craft + Creativity program and major events. The WCC is a member of the Worcester Cultural Coalition and receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.