October Nonprofit: The Worcester Center for Crafts
/By Dani Babineau
There’s a lot of power in seeing an idea come to life. Whether you’re a carpenter, chocolatier, or composer, the act of creating something and sharing it with the world can be - and I say this without a hint of hyperbole - a life-changing thing. It builds loads of confidence and - just as importantly - economic opportunities.
No organization understands empowerment through creation better than the Worcester Center for Crafts (WCC), our nonprofit for October. WCC was founded in 1856 to help immigrants create and sell crafts - and 164 years later, they’re still helping the community learn valuable skills and taking them to market.
We spoke with Elaine McKenna-Yeaw, executive director at WCC, about all the ways the organization empowers people through craft-making, and how your donations can help. Read on to learn more.
What's the mission of the Worcester Center for Crafts, and what does the organization do?
The mission of the Worcester Center for Crafts is to inspire and build a creative community through the promotion, appreciation, and teaching of high-quality craft for persons of varying abilities and backgrounds, to promote appreciation for craft through advocacy, public initiatives, and partnerships, and to support a dynamic marketplace for craft artists through events and exhibitions.
Why is the Worcester Center for Crafts mission important to the Worcester area?
WCC is the oldest non-profit educational craft center in the US, founded in 1856. It began as a place that taught immigrant women crafts to sell their goods to support their families. Over the past 164 years, it has evolved into New England's leading public center for craft education, exhibition, and entrepreneurship.
WCC offers classes in ceramics, photography, jewelry, enameling, blacksmithing, forging, fiber arts, and hot and cold glass at every level of skill, as well as college-level classes. We do not limit our gallery choices to craft but try to use exhibits to create a marketplace for artists and spotlight creativity in all forms. WCC's Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program in ceramics, glass, and metals enable artists from around the country to spend 1-2 years at WCC, honing their studio practice: Residents are provided studios, access to specialized craft equipment, critiques from WCC artists, and exhibition opportunities while serving the WCC community (teaching classes, demos, etc.). Currently, there are three Artists-in-Residents and many college and high school students who intern and volunteer at WCC.
Our Gallery Store represents over 300 American artists, creating a market for craft and artists. WCC offers timeshare rental opportunities in our ceramics department and rents time at our glass studio as a service to professional and community artists.
What has the Worcester Center for Crafts accomplished that you're most proud of?
WCC offers many programs, partnerships, events, and services; WCC annually serves a broad public audience of 20-30,000 comprised of professional and emerging artists, art enthusiasts and hobbyists, adults, youth and their families, collectors, patrons and students from public and private schools. It's a Worcester tradition.
How might donations from Redemption Rock customers help the Worcester Center for Crafts in the future?
WCC uses donations to create youth scholarships, make much-needed repairs on our building and studios, purchase new equipment, and create exciting programming for our community and other important needs.
Do you have any upcoming events, campaigns, or other initiatives that people should know about?
We have many upcoming events that we welcome the community to attend. Our Annual Holiday Festival of Crafts will take place from Friday, November 26 to Sunday, November 28, bringing more than 60 artists to the center for a European-style holiday marketplace.
Additionally, in partnership with our sponsors, the Fuller Foundation, Webster Five, Patrick Motors, and Carol & James Donnelly, we recently have announced The HandCraft Bash and Family Performance Series, a free youth and family series for the community that runs select Saturdays October 2021 - May 2022. Check out our complete offerings of upcoming events and courses by visiting our website worcestercraftcenter.org or following us on Instagram @worcestercraftcenter.
