Renovation
$1.6 Million
Expansion Unveiled in May, 2001
On May 18, 2001, the Society for Contemporary Craft (SCC) unveiledl a new 14,000-square-foot facility. Designed by Bruce Lindsey with Edge Architects, the $1.6 million expansion includes the addition of a second exhibition gallery, a 4,000-square-foot education center including an artist-in-residence Craft Technology Studio, and increased art storage facilities. The innovative design improves the quality of SCC’s operations, and reflects the commitment to creativity and craftsmanship that is at the core of SCC’s mission.
The expansion doubles SCC’s current exhibition space and enablse the organization to offer a larger body of work by a single artist; stage major survey exhibitions; or present two exhibitions concurrently. SCC’s ability to organize and present more traveling shows has been enhanced by the addition of an art handling and storage facility with access to two loading docks.
A dramatic increase in dedicated education space (from 660 square feet to 4,000 square feet), through the creation of a new education center (the Studio) on SCC’s lower level, allows for better quality educational experiences, a significant increase in school tours and workshops, and increased space for public lectures. Courses in book arts, fiber, metal, and wood are the education center’s primary focus, with distinctive offerings developed around four themes: the urban experience, the environment, the artist and process, and art education. In line with the organization’s goal to become a national leader in the field of contemporary craft, plans include a model artist-in-residence program. Visiting artists will use this studio space to create new work to exhibit at SCC, to demonstrate their processes to the public, and to offer advanced workshops to professional artists.
SCC’s new facilities were unveiled to the public in May in conjunction with the openings of the Leonard Urso and Martha Posner exhibitions. An additional celebration coinciding with the organization’s 30th Anniversary occurred in July and included artist demonstrators in the new Craft Technology Studio, a range of educational activities in the new education center, and special events for teachers, schools and SCC members.
Admission is free, and gallery and store hours are Tuesday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information call 412/261-7003.
expansion and capital campaign.