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.

PRESS RELEASE: Become a Maker! Adults & Youth Classes & Workshops Open for Registration

Worcester, MA-The Worcester Center for Crafts at 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester has opened its registration for fall classes and workshops for adults and youth and is receiving registration online by phone at 508-753-8183, x 301 or in person at the Craft Center. Online registration can be found at www.worcester.edu/WCC-Classes/.

Work by Bryan Randa

Adult classes are offered in ceramics, glass, metals including jewelry and enamels, and photography. These classes begin September 10. New this year in our photography department is a Cyanotype Workshop on September 29 taught by Paul Dumanoski. New on Tuesday nights in ceramics is a six-week class called "Steeped in Tea and Tradition" taught by Ginny Gillen; in this class you'll learn to hand-build tea bowls, cups and tea-related items while your designs are informed by a sampling of teas from around the world. New in our metals department is 4-week Friday evening/Saturday morning class on Lost Wax Casting and a 6-week class in Sterling Silver Etching & Hollow Fabrication. For people interested in exploring Glass at our New Street Glass Studio, there are many options including Studio Sampler that will introduce students to glassblowing, flameworking and fusing!

Need a chance to take your potting skills to the next level? Enroll in November's Potter's Bootcamp taught by Ceramic Department Head Tom O'Malley. The ancient art of Stained Glass will be taught on Tuesday nights at the New Street Glass Studio.

Visiting Artist Bryan Randa will teach two Intermediate to Advanced Weekend Intensives in Glass: Nov. 17-18, Sculpting from the Flame and Dec 8-9, Hot Glass Sculpting.

The Youth Craft + Creativity program is dedicated to presenting students ages 6-17 with opportunities to have fun exploring the materials and skills of craft while also learning about the math, science and engineering that are part of making ceramics, metals, glass and more work. Classes begin the week of October 1.

Six to nine year olds can participate in Clay for Kids with Lori Mader or Old Paper, New Paper with Bayda Asbridge. Made with Metal taught by Pam Farren is offered for 10-13 year olds as is Clay by Hand with Ginny Gillen.

Teens can chose between a variety of six week classes including Flameworking, Intro to Ceramics,Intro to Glass, Stained Glass for Teens and Enameling for Teens. Each is two hours long, once a week and is taught by a practicing craftsperson/artist.
 
New this year are a variety of workshops being offered to students ages 12-17 and 14-17 at the New Street Glass Studio. These workshops are short introductions to working with glass and more product oriented. Workshops occur throughout the fall.

Scholarships are available to both adult and youth students who may not have the financial means to attend classes at the Worcester Center for Crafts. Applications for scholarships can be found at www.worcester.edu/WCC-Scholarship-Program-and-Evaluations/. The Craft Center is appreciative of the support of the Lilyan Bachrach Scholarship Fund, the Barrett Morgan Scholarship Fund, the Schwartz Foundation, and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for their support of our educational and scholarship programs. For more information see www.worcestercraftcenter.org or call 508-753-8183, x 301.



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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.