Contemporary Craft

What are you doing this summer?

The Studios at CC are excited to host brand-new Summer Week-Long Workshops! Think of these week-long workshops like a studio staycation full of craft, community, and learning. Offered at all levels, they're a chance to get a crash course in a new craft, make a bigger project start-to-finish, or to level-up your existing skills with immersive studio time and instruction.

We’re offering week-longs in all of our Studios, from papermaking to woodworking, enameling to blacksmithing, and even an Intro to Weaving class for teens!

So, while you’re making your summer plans, consider spending a week with friends old and new in our Studios: invite your pals to visit Pittsburgh to learn a new craft together, or sign up on your own and spend the week making, learning, laughing and creating new, lasting connections.

Learn more and register HERE: https://contemporarycraft.org/studio-2/upcoming-workshops/

Join our team! Contemporary Craft is currently hiring for two open positions:

CC is searching for a self-motivated, detail-oriented, and collaborative individual to join us Full-Time as Development Coordinator. If you're passionate about advancing the arts and building community, then this job might be for you!

CC is also searching for a creative and detail-oriented communications professional to join us as our new Part-Time Marketing and Communications Coordinator. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a passion for connecting community to an organizational mission, an interest in graphic design, and strong written and digital creation skills.

Does this sound like you or someone you know? You can learn more and apply HERE: https://contemporarycraft.org/opportunities/job-opportunities/

Join us for another week in the studios! We have some special events this week, including a Spin Club meet up and a workshop with former National Artist-in-Residence Julia Harrison! Learn more and register for any of these workshops and events HERE: https://contemporarycraft.org/studio-2/upcoming-workshops/

Last night at the Contemporary Craft Board meeting the torch of organizational leadership was officially passed onto a new Board Chair.

We want to take a few moments to share our gratitude for our outgoing Chair, Alexander Neal and introduce you to our new Chair, Melanie Claxton.

Alexander Neal, MPA, CFRE is the Senior Director of Development and Marketing at Allies for Health + Wellbeing. Allies is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that serves the 11-county southwestern Pennsylvania region by delivering high-quality, integrated medical care and supportive human services.

In addition to his Certified Fund Raising Executive credential, Alex holds a Master of Public Administration degree in Public and Nonprofit Management from the University of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Allegheny College.

Melanie Claxton serves as Senior Program Officer at the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, where she leads the Foundation’s education grantmaking across southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Melanie holds a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan.

Please join us in celebrating both of them!

Have you heard the latest Sounds from the Studio episode yet?

We're back for another edition of the Pittsburgh Is Craft miniseries, this time with guest host Heather McElwee speaking with Jason Forck (), a seasoned figure in the Pittsburgh glass community. With over two decades of experience, Jason shares his journey from a curious young artist in Kansas to the director of creative projects at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Together, they explore the rich tapestry ofPittsburgh's craft scene, discussing the significance of traditional materials like glass, metal, and wood in modern art.

As they delve into the evolution of the craft community, Jason reflects on the collaborative spirit that defines Pittsburgh, the opportunities that have kept him rooted in the city, and the transformative power of creative experimentation.

Listen to the episode HERE: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Yyq5mJwTLHDk5hQvbF1hI

"archive this!" opens next week in our Gerri Kay Exhibition Cases!

The "archive this!" series features selections from the Contemporary Craft (CC) permanent collection. First started in 1980 after the closing of our first exhibition, Art in Modern Handcrafts, the CC permanent collection is a broad representation of the post-war studio craft movement and beyond. Beginning in the fall of 2022, CC embarked on an archival project to organize and engage our exhibition archive and permanent collection.

This iteration of "archive this!" focuses on tableware design that reflects the evolving styles and trends in table setting since the 1970s.

"archive this!" will be on view from next Friday, June 12, 2026 through October 10—mark your calendars and don't miss the exhibition!

Pictured: Brian Lonsway, Red Apple Cider Cup with Straw, 1979. Blown glass. Photo by Alexis Oltmer

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We have two very exciting upcoming workshops with Visiting Artists happening soon in the Studios!

First up is Wire-Working with Visiting Artist Julia Harrison () on Saturday, June 13! Julia was our National Artist-in-Residence last year, and we're so excited to have her back for this one-day workshop. There's still space left, so sign up now and don't miss your chance to learn the art of wire-working with Julia!

Second is Joomchi: Creating Textured Paper with our new National Artist-in-Residence Esther Cho ()! This two-part workshop runs on Wednesdays, June 17 and June 24 from 6-9 PM. Esther is only with us in Pittsburgh for the month of June, so make sure to take advantage of this special workshop opportunity!

Learn more and register at the 'workshops' link in our bio!

A bit of ceramics love for the Timmons Studios, thanks to Mac McCusker

Announcing the Charmed participating artists!

Charmed is a special curated showcase of charms handmade by 40 invited artists from around the country.

The main event will take place in the Store on Saturday, June 27 from 10 AM – 4 PM, BUT you can beat the crowd and join us on Thursday, June 25 for a special evening Preview from 5 - 8 PM! Participating Artist Andrew Thornton () will be there running a fun wine glass charm activity—and we'll have a specialty cocktail to celebrate!

Personalize your charm bracelet, find something to add to your keychain, or pick up a stunning pendant and chain. Join us, and get ready to be Charmed!

Learn more HERE: https://contemporarycraft.org/store/store-events/


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Welcome to our new National Artist-in-Residence, Esther Cho!

Esther Jihye Cho () is a New York-based artist working across woodworking, textiles, and paper sculpture. She explores the hidden layers of memory, emotion, and secrecy by transforming them into sculptural forms. Using handmade paper and traditional Korean techniques such as jiseung and joomchi, her slow, detailed process invites reflection and care.

Cho holds dual MFAs from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Woodworking and Furniture Design, and Design Studies with a focus on papermaking and textiles. A recipient of the 2017 Windgate-Lamar Fellowship, she has studied Korean papermaking traditions in South Korea and bridges historical craft with contemporary expression. Her work has been exhibited at venues including the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, the Textile Arts Center of Madison, and the Art and Literature Laboratory. She has been awarded upcoming residencies at Contemporary Craft and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.

Next time you visit, make sure to stop by our National Artists-in-Residence Studio and say hi, and don't miss Esther's upcoming Joomchi workshop! Learn more and register HERE: https://contemporarycraft.org/studio-2/upcoming-workshops/