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.

PRESS RELEASE: Faculty Show it All At Worcester Center for Crafts

Worcester, MA—The title of the new show at the Krikorian Gallery of the Worcester Center for Crafts is deceptively simple: FACULTY SHOW. True, the exhibit is about the faculty showing us what their craft is and how they practice their craft but it is also about showing what extraordinary talent is represented in the Craft Center’s artist/teachers. The show opens with a free public reception on Thursday, September 13 from 5:30-7:30 pm and is on view through October 13, 2018.

“Our faculty is incredibly talented and versatile,” says Gale Scott, head of the Glass Program. “They have been both keepers of tradition and explorers of innovation in their fields. And they are so willing to share their expertise with our students!”

Included in the show are Lauren Anabela Beaudoin (jewelry), Jennifer Davis Carey (enamels), McKayla Carville (glass), Meredith Collins (glass), Faith Connor (ceramics), Paul Dumanoski (photography), Pam Farren (metals), Kimberly Gardner (ceramics), Ginny Gillen (ceramics), Jon Glabus (ceramics), Peter Grigg (enamels), Erika Jorjorian (jewelry), Katherine Judd (photography), Kristen Kieffer (ceramics), Jeanne Kowal (stained glass), Lori Mader (ceramics and youth), Laura Marotta (multimedia and youth), Carol Tripp Martens (ceramics), Angela McHale (glass), Thomas O'Malley (Head of Ceramics Department), Ian M Petrie (ceramics), Ron Rosenstock (photography), Elizabeth Ryan- Belton (jewelry), Tomo Sakai (glass), Kristen Momoko Schafer (glass), Phoebe Scott (ceramics), Patti Sprague (multi-media and youth), Joshua Swalec (blacksmithing/forging), William Vanaria (metals), Toby Walters (glass), and Matthew K Wright (photography).  

Instructor Tomo Saki with Eric Cruse pulling glass cane for their work at New St Glass Studio

“Craft is an intersection of materials, skill and creativity,” explains Tom O’Malley, head of Ceramics and Photography at the Worcester Center for Craft. “The work that our faculty does in their own studios shows prospective students the real range that the materials of clay, metals, glass and photography present to the creative maker.”

Faculty talents are shown in work as diverse as Kristen Kieffer’s elegant ceramic mugs, vases, and presentation pieces to Tomo Sakai’s cool, polished cane glass bowls to William Vanaria’s damascus tools and innovative jewelry, each carrying on a traditional craft but adding their own personal interpretations and ideas into that craft. “It is important to note,” said Pam Farren, Manager of the Metals Studio, “ that our faulty are active makers—they are in the studio honing their skills and creating work on a very regular basis so our students get the advantage of that working knowledge.”

Classes taught by faculty whose work will be on view include Forge a Magic Wand; Jewelry I: Introduction to Metals; Lost Wax Casting; Glassblowing I; Basic Venetian Assembly; Stained Glass; Wheel I; How to Make Better Pots; Steeped in Tea and Tradition; Introduction to the Lighting Studio; Cyanotype Workshop; Introduction to Digital Photography; Serving Ware for the Holidays; and Introduction to Darkroom Photography among others.

The Krikorian Gallery at the Worcester Center for Crafts is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free.

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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.