RAC Grantee Craft Alliance Expands with New Print and Paper Arts Studio

January 25, 2022

(photo courtesy of Craft Alliance)

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis grantee Craft Alliance 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 the 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 studio is being funded by a $66,150 grant from the 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 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.”

“We are thrilled for the Craft Alliance,” said Jay Scherder, RAC communications senior manager. “Adding more space for artists in St. Louis is crucial to the development and growth of the arts sector as a whole.”

Proposed additions include two convertible Conrad presses with the ability to teach courses in relief, intaglio, engraving, monoprint, screen printing, 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.

Learn more about Craft Alliance.