Society for Contemporary Craft Education

In keeping with the Society for Contemporary Craft's mission "to engage the public in the creative experience as expressed through contemporary crafts" educational programming is planned for many different audiences including general visitors and their children, SCC members, schools (both for students and teachers), and in the community for students in literacy programs, at-risk youth, and residents of nursing homes.

SCC's educational objectives are to involve the community in the appreciation and expression of art through craft media; to strengthen appreciation of the creative process as an important component in everyone's life; and to assist visitors in integrating exhibition information outside the gallery.

For more information about any of these programs please contact us at 412.261.7003 or email us at the Society for Contemporary Craft.

Fall 2005 Catalog and
Registration now available

the studio

Education Center

Fall 2005 Classes

to request a brochure
please click here

or call us at
412.261.7003

For the General Visitor

SCC's Drop-In Studio Open for all ages daily

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Artist Slide Lectures/Gallery Talks
Various artists present lectures which relate to the current exhibition.

Upcoming Gallery Talks:
    Artist Talk: Friday, October 14, 6 pm
          Lydia Thompson
          Cost is $5 at the door.

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Drop-In Studio
The Drop-In Studio is a free, drop-in activity for children and adults. This space, always open during public hours, allows young people to participate in hands-on art activities that have been developed by artists to complement the special exhibitions.

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Studio Tours
Visits are scheduled two or three times a year to the studios of local craft artists. The artist is able to demonstrate some of his or her techniques and what tools and equipment may be involved. Tours include visits to the artist's living space. The tours typically last about three hours. There is a fee to cover the costs.

Next studio tour: To be announced

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Workshops
During the year several workshops are held at SCC. These are conducted by area craft artists and open to people at all skill levels though there are usually some minimum age restrictions. A few of the areas included in past workshops are beading, jewelry making using found objects, collage, basketry, ceramics, and more. Most of these last from four to six hours and are held on Saturdays. There is a fee for participation.

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Study Weekends

Next trip to be announced
Call 412.261.7003 for information

Philadelphia, cradle of the colonies, is a hotbed for the arts. An abundance of studios, workshops, exhibits and galleries lay seed to the imagination of contemporary craft artists working in fiber, glass, wood, metal, and ceramics. In October of 2000 a rare experience was had by SCC members and friends… thanks to the ideas and connections of SCC Executive Director, Janet McCall.

The SCC journey included visits to picturesque New Hope, the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, the Mercer Museum of Fonthill, and Nakashima Studios followed by the first night's dinner at the Black Bass Hotel on the Delaware River. Guests then checked into the Penn's View Hotel in downtown Philadelphia.

On Saturday they visited The Philadelphia Museum of Art where they toured two phenomenal exhibitions: the blockbuster Van Gogh: Face to Face during its opening week and The Arts of Hon'ami Koetsu, Japanese Renaissance Master. The afternoon included visits to Spring Garden Avenue where theyl visited several contemporary craft artists and a visit to the Hot Soup Glass Studio for an exciting glassblowing demonstration. The evening activities included a wine reception at the new home of the Wood Turning Center and a visit to The Works Gallery with a private dinner next door at the renowned Snyderman Gallery.

Before returning to Pittsburgh on Sunday there was a stop at Paoli to visit the Wharton Esherick Museum and an early afternoon luncheon stop in Amish Country.

Rave reviews were again received from those who made the journey!

In 1998 the trip was to Rochester, New York and included visits to the studios of Leonard Urso and Wendell Castle. There was also a tour of the Corning Glass Museum. In 1999 the trip was to Detroit with a visit to Cranbrook School and a visit to a private collection. First class hotels are used and the fees cover transportation, admissions, meals and housing.

For more information about these weekends call 412.261.7003 or email us at the Society for Contemporary Craft.

Ongoing Resources

•	Speaker's Bureau A slide-illustrated presentation on contemporary crafts is available upon request to any school or organization within the region. The presentation can be tailored for any age group or interest, and includes highlights of past and current SCC exhibitions.
•	Resource Center and Loan Collection The Resource Center, which features open storage of the permanent collection, a large collection of craft publications, and a variety of videotapes, is open on a drop-in basis during public hours. The Loan Collection of contemporary crafts and educational support materials is circulated upon request to schools throughout the county.
•	Artist-in-Residence At various times throughout the year the Society for Contemporary Craft has an artist for an extended period of time working in various areas including community and school projects.
•	Volunteer opportunities For individuals who enjoy contemporary crafts and are interested in getting hands-on experience working in a contemporary crafts gallery, SCC offers a range of volunteer opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds, from student interns to senior citizens.

Internship Opportunity
Judy Cheteyan Scholarship Fund

The Judy Cheteyan Scholarship Fund, is an annual summer scholarship which is offered under the auspices of the Society for Contemporary Craft. The scholarship provides a college student with the opportunity to gain professional experience within a nationally and internationally known contemporary craft organization. This three-month internship may be either an artist-in-residence assistant or an arts management/art education residency. Either program will provide the student with professional and career development and practical experience with professional artists and arts management personnel.

Please click here for more information