History of the Craft Center
The origins of The Craft Center is one of creativity, friendships, education and entrepreneurship. In 1971, while driving between the five colleges, Penny Worman, a leather specialist, stopped to pick up a hitchhiker. Upon seeing the many belts in Worman's car, the hitchhiker asked her what her occupation was. Worman told him that she makes a living by going between the colleges teaching people how to make belts. The hitchhiker then proceeded to tell Worman of a student craft guild at University of Massachusetts where they needed a professional supervisor. Worman applied and over 30 years later, the Student Union Craft Center is serving students in ways Worman might have only imagined. That winter of 1971, the students of UMass made 2000 belts between the end of November and the end of exams. Such productivity has remained the tradition in this modest space across from the Hatch--the space where students go, make crafts, and depart as friends.
Membership
By default, every UMass student with a current ID is able to become a member of the Craft Center for free. Membership is also open to UMass faculty, staff, and administration. However, because we work with and lend out dangerous tools and chemicals, we require that crafters read and sign a safety policy and liability sheet which has been cleared by the University Counsel. This gives customers access to tools, equipment, and the facility. Students, faculty, staff, and administration of the other Four Colleges may also become members for a nominal fee; $15 per semester or $25 per year.
Objectives
The Craft Center is a valuable educational and cultural resource. It is one of the few university or college craft centers in the country. It provides a creative outlet not found elsewhere available to all students outside the academic arena. Skilled and knowledgeable student staff provide instruction within a hands-on environment. It is the intention of the Craft Center to cultivate confidence, independence, creativity and self-satisfaction in our staff and membership. The following are goals and objectives encompassed in the daily operations:
- Committed to promoting diversity within the student staff, membership, and programs.
- Provide well-trained student staff to instruct and demonstrate various craft techniques.
- Provide a variety of arts and craft supplies at affordable prices enabling students to work immediately on projects.
- Provide and maintain a well equipped crafts facility with tools, equipment and supplies.
- Membership and staff are educated on the health and safety hazards associated with the use of materials and equipment. Safety protection is provided and we continually research the latest data available on materials we use.
- We collaborate with and provide consultation for other student organizations and academic departments on campus.
- The Craft Center is a unique and stable organization that provides a daily service for Umass and Five College students, faculty and staff. Programming is advertised through the use of posters, flyers, press releases, brochures, and the Internet. Students can also find advertisements in the Daily Collegian, UVC Channel 19, WMUA 91.1 FM, the Five College Calendar, and the Campus Chronicle.
Activities
The Craft Center offers daily "drop-in" hours Monday through Saturday (36hours/week). Students come in at their convenience and receive instruction and assistance in a wide variety of craft media and techniques: stained glass, beading, black and white photography, fimo, silk screening, silk painting, leather work, silver and jewelry making, batik, marbling, mask-making and sewing.
In addition to daily "drop-in" hours, the Craft Center offers formalized workshops focusing on small groups receiving one on one instruction. These workshops are held Tuesday through Thursday, between 5:30 and 9:30 pm. Several different workshops are scheduled per evening at nominal fees of $7 - $20, depending on the specific workshop. Students are usually pleased with the introductory nature of these workshops. These workshops have helped in creating a more dynamic and productive atmosphere.
Although the Craft Center is a non-profit student organization, we must generate enough revenue to keep the Center operational. We are funded by the Student Government Association (through the University Activities Fee) and the Graduate Student Senate. The Craft Center has three additional sources for generating revenue: resale of materials, after-hour workshops and the Annual Holiday Craft Fair held during the first week of December.
Professional artisans from the six New England states and UMass student crafters are invited to participate in the Holiday Craft Fair. The fair has been running since the opening of the Craft Center in 1971, with many crafters returning year after year.
To further enhance our regular services, we also offer special multicultural and visiting artist programs. The VAPOR Program (Visiting Artist Professional OutReach) features professional regional artists. They present slides of their work and conduct hands on workshops. These events are sponsored by the Craft Center and the UMass Arts Council. These evens are free, and open to the UMass and Five College campuses.
The Craft Center works collaboratively with and provides consultation and technical expertise to other campus organizations and academic departments. The facility is available to RSOs, RA groups, and other student groups.
