AboutMission Statement:
To engage the public in creative experiences through contemporary craft.

Core Values:
Contemporary Craft offers meaningful art opportunities through four core values:• Providing vital support for artists• Filling critical gaps in public education• Sharing cross cultural perspectives• Using art to build community

Background:•1971 — Elizabeth R. Raphael opened The Store for Arts and Crafts and People-Made Things
in Verona, PA. Today, the organization is a nonprofit, visual arts organization with a history ofpresenting nationally and internationally known contemporary artists who work in craftmaterials (clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, mixed media, and found materials).

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1986 — The Store for Arts and Crafts and People-Made Things became the Society forContemporary Craft and moved from Verona to the historic Produce Terminal Building in
Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

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1990 — The Satellite Gallery at BNY Mellon Center (formerly One Mellon Center) was createdas a companion exhibition space for Contemporary Craft.

•2001 — The Society for Contemporary Craft became Contemporary Craft and doubled in size
following a major expansion/renovation at the Strip District location. The Studio, a 4,000square-foot education center with three large working studios, opened at Contemporary
Craft’s renovated space.

•2018 — The American Craft Council recognized Contemporary Craft with an Award ofDistinction, which is a biennial award that recognizes an organization, publication, school, orindividual who has made significant contributions to the field of craft with a minimum of 25
years of service in the United States. Contemporary Craft is the first one and the only one toreceive this award in Pittsburgh, PA.

•2019 — Due to the Produce Terminal Building redevelopment, Contemporary Craft purchased
a former industrial building at 5645 Butler Street in Pittsburgh, PA to ensure a sustainable
future for the organization.

412.261.7003 | www.contemporarycraft.org | info@contemporarycraft.org

About•2020 — Contemporary Craft moved into its renovated, permanent facility in Upper
Lawrenceville neighborhood in September 2020,with inaugural exhibition, The Heart Lives
through The Hands, featuring works by renowned artist Swoon. The new location provides a
space for inspiration, contemplation, and creativity in everyday life, as well as serving as acultural gateway for Lawrenceville and a tourist destination for the region.

Summary of Programs and Activities:•Contemporary Craft is one of the few arts organizations in Western Pennsylvania that is freeof charge. Its focus on contemporary crafts makes it very accessible since craft represents
the materials and forms people use in everyday life. It also offers a free, self-guided art activity
for adults and children in its Drop-In Studio.

•Exhibitions – Contemporary Craft offers two to three major exhibitions with anational/international programming focus per year at the main gallery, and three to fourexhibitions with a local/regional programming focus per year at the Satellite Gallery located inthe BNY Mellon Center in Downtown Pittsburgh.
o The Bridge Exhibition Series, established in 1988, seeks to heighten the public’s
awareness of the powerful works being created by contemporary artists. Three
concurrent solo exhibitions feature mid-career artists.
o The Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize Exhibition, established in 1997, is a biennial
juried exhibition/award that awards a $5,000 prize to one winner. The exhibition’smaterial focus changes with each iteration.
o The Social Justice Exhibition Series, established in 2013, is a biennial exhibition thatexplore complex human issues that can shape and influence positive change inpressing social issues. This exhibition series explored violence in 2013–14, mental
health in 2015-16, human displacement and housing insecurity in 2017-18, will explore
food justice in 2021-22, and incarceration in 2023-24.
o Contemporary Craft regularly travels its exhibitions nationally to other cities. In
developing an exhibition, Contemporary Craft looks for a compelling idea, a new voice,or a concept not previously exhibited. Successful past traveling exhibitions includes,Mindful: Exploring Mental Health through Art, Edward Eberle Retrospective, Shelter:
Crafting a Safe Home, and more.
o Since 1986, Contemporary Craft has presented more than 250 exhibitions, featuring
the work of more than 2,400 artists, and produced more than 80 exhibition catalogs
and brochures. More than 35,000 people visit Contemporary Craft each year; withanother 100,000 viewing its changing exhibits at its BNY Mellon Satellite Gallery.

412.261.7003 | www.contemporarycraft.org | info@contemporarycraft.org

About•The Studio – features workshops taught by highly accomplished professional artists, including
eight to ten master workshops led by national visiting artists each year. Workshops in paperarts, fiber, metal, and wood are the primary focus. Contemporary Craft has offered hundredsof workshops, seminars, and other public programs.
o Outreach Programs – Contemporary Craft has partnered with social service agencies
that address four target audiences: at-risk children and families, the elderly, and thoseexperiencing homelessness. Its Museum/School Partnership with Southbrook Middle
School was established in 1995 and infuses art throughout the school’s curricula,allowing more than 400 middle school students annually to work firsthand with local
artists in craft media.
o In 2020, Contemporary Craft began hosting virtual artist-led workshops and artist
demos.

•Public Programs and Events – Every free admission includes access to the hands-on Drop-In
Studio art activity designed by an artist in the major exhibition. Contemporary Craft also hosts
artist lectures and demonstrations, artists' studio tours, gallery openings, and salon-style
speaker series regularly.

•The Store – Featuring the best of international, national, and regional artists, The Store offers
handcrafted artworks by more than 150 artists. Items include jewelry, ceramics, glass,tableware, textiles, ornaments, accessories, and furniture.
o The Store’s annual Lydon Emerging Artist Program (LEAP) was established in 2007 torecognize exceptional emerging contemporary craft artists and to bring their artwork to
the consumer market. This yearlong retail program features, markets, and sells the workof one winner and four finalists. The winner also receives a $1,000 cash prize. Theprogram seeks to advance the careers of emerging artists through retail gallery
representation.
o An official online store, which features over 1,000 art objects by emerging andestablished artists, was launched in August 2020 at: contemporarycraftstore.com
Last Updated: 08/17/2020

412.261.7003 | www.contemporarycraft.org | info@contemporarycraft.org