Crafts Center events bring together the NC State community and public for fun, socializing and artistic enrichment. All events and exhibitions take place at the Crafts Center unless otherwise noted.
Supported by NCSU Foundation
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Fall 2019
Open House and Pottery Sale
Tuesday, August 20, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to come by and learn all about the Crafts Center. Tour the studios, meet our staff, and learn about our programming. Watch some crafts demos, and enjoy some refreshments, and buy a piece of pottery to help support our program.
Public Art Reveal!
Tuesday, August 20 at 5:30 p.m.
The Crafts Center Unveils a very special art installation! It all started as most creative endeavors do – with an idea, or rather a problem that begs to be solved. When Director, Carol Fountain Nix, began working at The Crafts Center, she noticed that many people walk by the front entrance never realizing that it is one of the most creative spaces on campus. She wondered, “What if there was a way to introduce public art that could reflect the remarkable work done by artists at The Center and create visibility for the entrance?” Nix did not have to go very far to find an artist who could MAKE IT HERE — Clay Studio Manager, Jennifer Siegel, accepted the challenge of crafting not one, but two, large ceramic
vessels. This installation will be the first public artwork for The Crafts Center, adorning both pedestals at the front entrance. Nothing great comes easily or quickly, and this project was no exception. Siegel began to conceptualize then work on several small-scale models [“maquettes”] . The University’s Public Arts Committee, comprised of architects, artists and fabricators, was then brought in for a presentation of the concept, space and models. The works required the input and approval from the committee in order to move forward. After a number of review meetings, a final model was selected and Siegel went to work on the full-scale pieces – a progress spanning the following year. Upon completion of the forms and measurements, teamwork continued to grow with the enlisting of the University’s metal shop for the fabrication of the installation’s bases. “At 180 pounds of clay each, these are the largest forms I have ever made – a true representation of THINK and DO!” Siegel explained. “This project has been a rewarding challenge for me – one that I cannot wait to look at every day I come to work. Knowing that the students and campus community will enjoy them for years to come definitely makes the journey worth it!” On August 20th, during The Crafts Center’s annual Open House festivities, the vessels will be unveiled in a ceremony at 5:30 pm on the front steps. All are invited to drop by!
Packapalooza
Saturday, August 24, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Find Crafts Center activities in the Arts Zone! Screen print a Crafts Center Tote Bag or bring your own cotton T-shirt to print on:. Free to NC State students with University ID card.
conTEXT: A Calligraphic Journey
Exhibition: September 20 – November 7, 2019
Opening Reception:Friday, September 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
“How I Made This” – Special Artist’ Presentations
Passion for the Past: Brenda Hornsby Heindl and Pottery
Thursday, September 12, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Brenda Hornsby Heindl is an independent scholar and potter. She is a graduate of the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture and an alumna of Berea College in Kentucky where she worked in the Ceramics Apprenticeship Program, training as a production potter while majoring in History. Her prior work outside of making pottery includes head of the Ceramics Department at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates Auctions, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, and the Ceramics and Glass Department at Colonial Williamsburg. She also lectures and presents workshops on historic ceramics, kilns, and pottery production. As a production potter, she built a wood-firing, salt-glaze kiln in 2012, and uses her studio, Liberty Stoneware, as an outlet for historic ceramics research.
Brenda will discuss the historical influences on her contemporary pottery, as well as techniques and tools she uses based on her research. She will also discuss current research projects including researching free potters of color in the Antebellum South and exploring methods to put her research on contemporary pottery to share with a broader audience.
Fahad Al Suwaidi: Building Character; What Brings Pottery, Photography, and Drumming together?
Thursday, September 26, at 6:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Throughout his studies at NC State, Fahad AlSuwaidi used the crafts center extensively learning and mastering new skills over the years he was a student at State. A recent graduate from Interdisciplinary Studies program with a Bachelor of Science in Science Technology and Society with a concentration in Nuclear Engineering, Fahad AlSuwaidi developed numerous skills during his bachelor studies, and many of these skills are native to the Crafts Center at NC State. Fahad started working predominantly with Clay, shifting focus onto Pinhole Photography after learning about the annual pinhole challenge, followed by intermittent crafts in between such Woodworking, Jewelry and dyeing, eventually into Taiko drumming and making his own drum.
In this presentation , Fahad AlSuwaidi will discuss his learning and exploration journey in the crafts he partook over the years, starting with the pottery he made, then focusing on the pinhole photography that gave rise to two different cross country road trips, finally showcasing his skills acquired from the drumming performance he started with the local Japanese drumming group.
Annie Cicale: Map Your Space
Triangle Calligrapher’s Guild Reception and Presentation
Friday, October 4, at 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public
The 35th Annual Crafts Fair: A TWO-Day Holiday Festival!
Saturday, November 23rd 10am – 5pmSunday, November 24th 10am – 2pm
Admission: $3/person Kids under 10: FREE and NC State students: Free with student ID
FREE CAKE and FREE parking!
The annual Crafts Fair continues to grow, with record attendance and more artists than ever before! This year, we’re “takin’ it to the streets” for a TWO-day festival. Jensen Drive, in the front of The Crafts Center, will be closed off and traffic will be routed along Dunn Avenue. The Coliseum Deck will be open and parking will be free and available for both days at the event. The annual fair features work by our students, instructors, Crafts Center members, and staff – mostly made right here!
Saturday’s fair will feature outdoor live music, dance and theatre performances by Arts NC State, giveaways, and food trucks, featuring Fatboys Kitchen, Crispy Gyoza and Bourbon Street Beignets. All crafts vendor booths will be indoors.
Sunday will be an additional opportunity to shop. Enjoy one-of-a-kind, handmade works by more than 50 of The Center’s local artists representing a variety of media: clay, fibers, glass, jewelry, sculpture, painting, wood, photography, mixed media, and more! This is THE holiday event of the season! Come shop, mingle and support local art!
The 2018 Crafts Fair was the largest in The Crafts Center’s history. We will celebrate 35 years this November.