The Fashion Lab

Craft Alliance in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue and Washington University of St. Louis Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts presents The Fashion Lab! The Fashion Lab explores the craft of fashion, the art of fashion & the art that references fashion by presenting exhibitions, lectures trunk shows and more! Members of Fashion Lab will receive exclusive invitations to previews of the events as well as dinners and parties with fashion designers.

• On January 12th, The Fashion Lab launch will feature Ecco Domani nominated designer Timo Weiland with a Trunk Show and Cocktail Party at Craft Alliance's Grand Center location.
• In February, Saks Fifth Avenue in Plaza Frontenac will host a cocktail party kick off event for our ARTrageous Costume Ball Gala!
• In March and April, Washington University's Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts will host lectures by Designer Timo Weiland and Writer Derek Blasberg of BAZAAR and Style.com!
• On April 8th the ARTrageous Costume Ball Gala will focus on fiber & fashion honoring Washington University's Associate Professor of Fashion Design, Jeigh Singleton. Proceeds of the gala will benefit Craft Alliance's exhibition, education, and outreach programs!

To find out more information about the upcoming Fashion Lab events and membership information visit our website or contact Saskya Byron!

Our Busy November!

Both locations of Craft Alliance will be bustling with events this November and we can't wait!

The second round of fall classes has started and students are enjoying our brand new wood turning studio in the Kranzberg Arts Center! We will be having an open house where you can tour the studio on Friday, November 19th!
David Charak, Steve Novik and his wife Cathy Barancik have generously provided funding to build a spacious, well-equipped studio designed to accommodate the tools and the work space needed for an optimal learning and working experience.
Special thanks to Keith Baizer for launching the Craft Alliance woodturning program by donating six lathes since 2007. The Charak/Novik Studio will be the only woodturning studio in St. Louis to offer the public the opportunity to learn this classic art!


On A Roll: Artists’ Toys opens Friday, November 12 in the Charak Gallery, Delmar Loop. Local artists were challenged to create a toy with wheels, some artists used traditional approaches and others a more conceptual interpretation of the classic plaything.
This exhibition features the work of Corey Ackelmire, Cathy Barancik, Dan Barnett, Michael Bauermeister, Nathan Dube, Robert Ebendorf, Melody Ellis, Cameron Fuller, Matt Keim, Dan Krueger, Robert Longyear, Roger Rimel, Will Rimel, Rimas VisGirda, Bernhard Voss and Karen Woodward.


As the Holidays approach and our Glass Ornaments arrive, remember to Save the Date for our Member Appreciation Weekend!
November 11th - 14th the Craft Alliance Gallery Shop on Delmar will be having its annual Double Discount Member Appreciation Weekend!
New and Current Members will receive 20% off their purchases in the shop. To find out more about becoming a member, check out our website!




Thanksgiving weekend wouldn't be complete without our Student/Faculty Sale! Featuring ceramics, fibers and more made by our skilled faculty and students, you can purchase all kinds of handmade holiday gifts! The sale will be outside of our Delmar location on November 27, 9 am - 5pm and November 28th, Noon - 5pm.

Hope to see you at all of our events!

Classes at Grand Center!

Our classes are filling up quickly! Below is a sample of classes offered at our Grand Center location! Sign up online or call our registrar at 314-534-7528

http://www.craftalliance.org/education/studiosgc.htm

Metals:

BEGINNING METAL DESIGN
Instructor: Gina Rosienski, Metals Artist in Residence! (6 weeks)
Wednesdays, Oct 27-Dec 8, 6:00 – 9:00P
(No class Nov 24)
This class is designed for students with NO prior metal working experience. Sample the fundamentals of metalsmithing: turning simple silver, copper and brass sheet into unique jewelry objects and constructions. Learn how to cut, pierce, join and finish elements with soldering techniques and cold connections. Tools, some metal, and basic supplies are provided.


BASIC STONE SETTING
Instructor: Gina Rosienski, Metals Artist in Residence! (6 weeks)
Mondays, Oct 25-Dec 6, 6:00 – 9:00P
(No class Nov 22)
Learn how to set stones such as cabochons to enhance your jewelry pieces in this 6-week class. Students will learn to create traditional and modified bezel settings and prong settings, flush settings, and tube setting. Pre-requisite: Beginning Metal Design class or other metalsmithing and soldering experience.

FELT & METAL JEWELRY
Instructor: Andrea Pennington (5 weeks)
Thursdays, Oct 28-Dec 2, 6:00 – 9:00P
(No class Nov 25)
Learn to use basic feltmaking techniques combined with simple metalsmithing techniques to create fun and functional jewelry. Using both wet felting processes and dry needle felting techniques, learn to create three-dimensional components out of wool to combine with silver, copper and brass for your own one-of-a-kind jewelry. The class is appropriate for beginners and intermediate students.

Ceramics:

INTRO TO CLAY
Instructor: Sarah Rebholz (4 weeks)
Saturdays, Oct 30-Nov 20, 10:00A - 12:30P
This class surveys ways of working with clay both with and without the potter’s wheel. Students will learn coil and slab construction methods as well as how to “throw” cylinders and small bowls on the wheel. Various surface design and glazing techniques will also be covered. No previous experience is necessary.


BEGINNING WHEEL FOR AGES 12-ADULT
Instructor: Rachel Akin, Clay Artist in Residence! (6 weeks)
Tuesdays, Oct 26-Nov 30, 6:00 - 8:00P
This beginning wheel class will introduce participants to the basic techniques of throwing forms on the potter’s wheel. Fundamental techniques of throwing cylinder forms and bowls will be demonstrated and taught, as well as an introduction to glazing. Ages 12 to Adult will enjoy learning to make clay forms on the wheel.

Woodturning in our brand new studio:

BEGINNING WOOD TURNING FOR KIDS: AGES 12-18
Instructor: Bernhard Voss (4 weeks)
Saturdays, Oct 30-Nov 20, 11:30-1:00P
Want to try something new? Learn to make simple wooden utensils, toy tops, a small bowl and other wood designs on a lathe with Master Woodturner, Bernhard Voss. This is a small class with lots of individual attention and all tools and wood materials are provided. (Maximum 6 students)

Grand Center Interview!

Nancy Kranzberg interviewed Rachel Akin, artist in residence & Susan Donahue Yates, Program Director of Craft Alliance in Grand Center as part of the KDHX Arts Interview. They discuss both of Craft Alliance’s locations, our galleries, exhibitions, classes, and the artist in residence program.
Click here to listen to the interview!

Delmar Clay Studio Renovations!

Craft Alliance's Clay Studio on Delmar had the patina of 40 years of constant use. Every year, 17,000 students spend hours throwing on the wheels, sculpting at the hand-building tables, glazing their pieces in the glaze room, loading and unloading the kilns, engaging in the long and careful process of turning clay into art. Over time, heavy use has taken a toll on the conditions of our studio. We have cleaned out the studio space and begun our renovations to enhance the experience of the students and artists who learn and work in our studio. We will be repairing and painting the walls, refinishing the floors, repairing the potter's wheels, replacing the blinds, stools and the spray booth! We are very excited about these renovations and can't wait to see the finished studio!

Smarter/Faster/Higher

We had an opening on Friday for the much anticipated Smarter/Faster/Higher: Works by Elizabeth Keithline. An amazing exhibition featuring woven wire sculptures of human figures in an array of poses that feel like 3-D gestural drawings.

Using a wire weaving technique, that she has employed since 1990, and in collaboration with her husband Jeff, Keithline has created an installation of full-scale woven wire human beings and wire trees. Some of the figures are frozen in a crawl, some in a walk, and some in a run as they spread out across the gallery. The figures merge upon a ‘pool’ of monitors placed on the floor in the center of the room. The monitors depict an image of a wire figure that constantly divides, repeating over and over the idea of population and progress through replication.

Human beings are biologically programmed to evolve – to become “Smarter/Faster/Higher”. Technology has given us new tools with which to accomplish this end. We can potentially increase our mental capacity, and thus our ability to survive, simply by opening up a laptop. Keithline observes that the technological system we have created, whose principle strength is replication, mirrors the natural world.
Like Narcissus, one of the figures gazes into the pool, absorbed by the sight of his own image. Technology presents an opportunity for self-reflection and the potential for self-absorption. Does it become an obstacle, a springboard, or both?

This exhibition is a must see! It will be up through January 16, 2011 so there is plenty of time to see it more than once!

The History of Craft Alliance & The Buildings We Call Home

Craft Alliance started as an Artist Co-op in 1964 promoting the production, enjoyment, and understanding of the craftsman artist. A gallery space in the Central West End held monthly exhibits, showing work from regional artists in glass, metal, jewelry, sculpture, wood, and textiles. In 1968 classes were offered to kids aged 12-16 and were held at the Second Presbyterian Church.

Image copyright University City Public Library Circa 1960

In 1970 Craft Alliance moved into the Bond Building on Delmar Boulevard, the oldest surviving building in the Delmar Loop. It was build in 1910 by Max Bond for his tailoring shop. A pharmacy, salon and Italian restaurant were among a variety of businesses that called this building home before Craft Alliance settled in.

Image copyright University City Public Library Circa 1970

In 1976 Craft Alliance renovated space next to its Delmar location creating room for the ceramics studio we have today.

A vintage photograph, from a marketing publication of builder H.B. Deal from buildstlouis.net

In 2008 Craft Alliance opened its second location in the old Woolworths Building. A new Exhibition Gallery, expanded Outreach Programming, and Education Programming with Artist Residencies provide the St. Louis community with greater access to contemporary studio craft art.

Located in the new Big Brothers Big Sisters building right next to the Fox Theatre, Craft Alliance is part of the Kranzberg Arts Center. Classes are offered in Clay, Metal, Fibers, Graphics and more. Craft Alliance and the buildings it occupies have a rich history and a promising future.

Local Designer on Project Runway!

The patrons of our gala were blown away by the fashion show put on by local designer Michael Drummond during our ArtRageous Gala on June 4, 2010. It turns out we weren't the only ones amazed by his work!

Michael Drummond will be on the upcoming season of Project Runway on Lifetime! The premier airs this Thursday, July 29th at 9pm or 8pm for those of us in St. Louis. So tune in and cheer on our fabulous local fashion designer!

Craft Alliance Video by the Vital Voice!

Check out the new Craft Alliance video on the Delmar Loop You Tube Channel. Thanks for yet another great production Andrew Baumgartner and the Vital Voice!

Artist in Residence Rachel Akin

Our Clay Artist-in-Residence, Rachel Akin will be with us at Craft Alliance for a whole year!
Rachel received her BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1999 and MFA from Ohio University in 2006. Recently, she was a resident artist at Red Star Studios Ceramic Center in Kansas City where she was also a gallery assistant.

How many years have you been a ceramic artist?
I have been working in clay for 16 years. I am drawn to the seductive qualities of the smooth, creamy texture of the clay. I create soft, curvaceous forms on the potter’s wheel or by hand. The silhouettes of these forms are accentuated through surface decoration and soothing colored glazes.

Describe the work you are making or hope to make during your time at Craft Alliance:
During my residency, I hope to continue working on my functional porcelain vessels. I see this as a opportunity to fine tune my work as well as having the time to develop new forms that I haven't attempted before.

What inspires your work?
My work is inspired from a variety of sources. I enjoy investigating historical ceramics, especially Chinese Sung dynasty vessels. I am also drawn to Venetian and Depression glass forms and surfaces. Fashion and the female form also inspire me. My work has a distinct feminine silhouette and I embellish my forms with beads of porcelain and ruffled edges to emulate a strand of pearls or decorative fabric.

Be sure to stop by our Grand Center location and check out the Artist-in-Residence studios!