2011 Open House

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BROOKFIELD, CT – Brookfield Craft Center’s Fall Open House will be held on Saturday, September 10, from 1 to 4pm. This popular annual event offers the public a chance to see the Craft Center in action and explore the historic campus overlooking the Still River at Halfway Falls.

Visitors can view the six teaching studios at this nationally-known school, and meet talented faculty members who will provide live demonstrations of skills that are taught in the Craft Center’s ongoing education programs. The demonstrations will include work in glass, ceramics, weaving, woodturning, basketry, blacksmithing and jewelrymaking. According to the Craft Center’s Executive Director, Richard Herrmann, “It’s a chance to discover how learning craft skills can enable your personal creativity and imagination. The artists and demonstrations at this free event provide a glimpse into the making of fine craft and the skills that have been passed down for generations.”

“Jewelrymaking is one of the ‘hottest’ and most rapidly growing disciplines in the craft world,” explained Heather Lawless, the Craft Center’s Education Director. “Our fine metals studio has undergone some recent renovations to keep up with the demand for instruction, from beginning ’101′ foundation classes, to professional level workshops. Our well-equipped woodturning and glass studios, housed in the original Brookfield Railroad Station, will likely be two of the busiest spots on campus during our Open House, and weaving, pottery on the wheel and blacksmithing are always popular as well.

“Visitors can register for fall classes,” added Lawless, “including new affordable Sampler Workshops for students interested in trying a new medium. We welcome adults and teens of all levels of experience, from total beginners to accomplished artists, and the Open House is a great way to see what goes on in our studios.” Recent improvements to facilities and equipment are thanks to generous member and donor support, as well as timely grants from the Windgate Foundation and the Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation.

Participating artists include: Matthew Parkinson, blacksmithing; Sarah Bernhardt and Lisa Scroggins, ceramics; Christine Aulicino, weaving; Christa Shaw, basketry; Patricia Segar, kumihimo; Suzanne Pisano, fused glass; David Licata, flameworking; Rachel Morris and Raychel Wengenroth, jewelrymaking; Buster Shaw and Jim Degen, woodturning; and Wayne Smith, woodcarving.

Attendees can also see the special faculty exhibition in the Craft Center’s retail gallery. “A Legacy of Fine Craft,” on view through September 11, features work by more than 60 current and past teaching artists, and serves to demonstrate the level of talent and creativity of core faculty and visiting instructors. The gallery is located on the main floor of the historic Mill Building at the center of the campus. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11-4, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-4.

Brookfield Craft Center, a 501(c)3 organization, was founded in 1954 with the mission “to teach and preserve the skills of fine craftsmanship and enable creativity and personal growth through craft education.” It is a past recipient of The Governor’s Arts Award, Connecticut’s highest award for excellence in the arts. The Craft Center is located at 286 Whisconier Road (Route 25) just east of the “Four Corners” intersection with Route 202, a few miles north of Danbury off exits #7 or #9 of I-84.