Crafts Center Celebrates 70 Years of “Making it Here!”

After starting as a small “Hobby Shop” in 1954, the Crafts Center has grown into a thriving hub of creativity on NC State’s campus and is now among the largest university crafts centers in the nation. 

A 1995 recipient of the prestigious Raleigh Medal of Arts Award, the Crafts Center has undergone tremendous growth and change over the past seven decades. Studio spaces support the disciplines of woodworking, pottery, photography, fiber arts, lapidary, glass, jewelry and metalworking, 3D printing, laser engraving and so much more. 

The Crafts Center has grown from a start of 30 classes per year to more than 300, with registration increasing annually. The Crafts Center offers bite-sized “Crafternoon” sessions for students, full-length programs that are open to students, faculty, staff and the general public and memberships for those who want to use the studio spaces at their own pace.

To celebrate its history and evolution, a large crowd made up of students, supporters, staff and former directors, celebrated the Crafts Center’s 70th anniversary with a gallery opening on Friday, Sept. 20. This gallery displayed 70 unique artworks by artists who shaped the Crafts Center’s legacy, including large pottery totems, fused glass plates, wood carved signs, intricate hand-made jewelry, metal sculptures and watercolor on paper.

A 36-foot long timeline flanked the lobby wall, highlighting historical milestones, and several former directors were on site to celebrate the occasion. 

Carol Fountain Nix, director of the Crafts Center since 2017, expressed her appreciation and teared up when celebrating her current cohort of staff and students who made the anniversary event possible.

 “The Crafts Center holds a special meaning to so many, especially considering its existence on a STEM-focused campus,” Nix said. “This space – and this event – would not be possible without my amazing team, the many students, members, and instructors who practice here, and our very generous donors, board members and patrons. Thank you!”

The 70th anniversary gallery exhibition will be on display through Saturday, Oct. 19 in the lobby of the Crafts Center, located on the bottom level of Thompson Hall off of Jensen Drive. 

For more information about the Crafts Center visit ncsu.edu/crafts.