An annual event that supports educational outreach programs for the Craft Center is more than just a celebration of craft this year.

The seventh annual Celebration of Craft — set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 2 — also commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Craft Center this year.

Vases by Curtiss Brock

In recognition of the occasion, the Craft Center is hosting a special alumni reunion dinner on the Friday night before the celebration.

“Invitations have been sent to former students, resident artists and faculty in hopes of getting this group of talented artists together for the first time in the Craft Center’s history,” says Jane Morgan Roberts, promotions and development manager.

For the public, a photo-history of the facility will be on display in the café during the event, which also offers narrated demonstrations in all five Craft Center studios (clay, fibers, glass, metals and wood), a silent auction, a fine craft sale by the student Visual Arts Society, hands-on craft activities for children and live music.

The Cluster Pluckers perform their own distinctive brand of bluegrass at last year's Celebration of Craft.

Featured groups include the Cluster Pluckers, Little Sarah’s Orchestra, our West African drumming and dance ensemble, ABUSUA, and acoustic guitarist Jim Olsen.

Another highlight of this year’s event is the Silent Auction Showcase — fine craft items available during the celebration’s silent auction that will be exhibited for preview in Gallery One from March 17 through April 2. Bidding begins on the day of the celebration.

The Friends of the Appalachian Center for Craft of Tennessee will also present a $500 scholarship at this year’s celebration. FACCT, a non-profit advocacy organization that promotes the mission of the Craft Center, began in 1997 when a university budget shortfall temporarily but seriously threatened the future of the facility and its bachelor of fine arts academic program. The first FACCT scholarships were presented to two B.F.A. majors with a concentration in craft during last year’s Celebration of Craft.

“It’s hard to believe this is the seventh annual Celebration of Craft,” says Gail Gentry, workshop and event coordinator. “It’s such a fun time for all of us at the Craft Center because it’s an opportunity for the public to experience the great things that are happening here.

“We’re thrilled that so many people come, bring their families and enjoy this day of craft because they are supporting our educational outreach programs that serve more than 3,500 regional school children each year and getting information about all the Craft Center programs."

A youngster experiments with making paper at last year's Celebration of Craft.

Although the celebration itself is a free event, proceeds from the sale of commemorative t-shirts and silent auction items both directly serve as FACCT fund raisers to provide art-related educational outreach programs to Upper Cumberland children.

A gallery discount of 10 percent off all items and a 20 percent discount for TTU employees who present valid Eagle Card identification will also be offered during the celebration.

The Craft Center’s educational outreach programs are funded in part by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

For more information about the Celebration of Craft, call Gentry at 3051 or click on the Celebration link on our home page at www.tntech.edu.