Craft Alliance announced today plans to expand its line-up of studio offerings with the addition of a new print and paper arts studio space. The new studio, expected to open in Summer 2022, grows the organization’s current educational catalog of contemporary craft classes and workshops in ceramics, metals, wood, glass, fiber and digital design.
The new 750-sq.-ft.-studio, adding to its current location at 5080 Delmar Boulevard, is being funded by a $66,150 grant from Windgate Foundation, a longtime supporter of Craft Alliance and craft in the United States.
“Our desire is to create a print and paper arts studio that allows us to provide educational experiences and workshops exploring printmaking, papermaking, and book arts,” said Mark Witzling, Craft Alliance’s Executive Director. “The addition of this studio fills an educational gap in print and paper-based art forms in St. Louis, creates access and teaching opportunities for local and regional artists, and expands the experience of our long running Artists-In-Residence program. This is an exciting new studio to incorporate into Craft Alliance’s education and workshop schedule with the added ability to hold course ‘cross-over’s with our current studios. We are thankful to Windgate Foundation for their continued dedication to Craft Alliance, contemporary craft and visual arts.”
Proposed additions include two convertible Conrad presses with the ability to teach courses in relief, intaglio, engraving, monoprint, screenprinting, and alternative lithographic processes. Proposed papermaking and book arts include the addition of a paper beater and full studio set-up to teach fundamental courses in papermaking, papercraft, and book arts.
In Fall 2020, Craft Alliance relocated to a 14,300 sq. ft. space in the Delmar Maker District. The larger space features expanded studios, retail space, a contemporary exhibition gallery, and administrative offices.