Society for Contemporary Craft

Society for Contemporary Craft (SCC) presents contemporary art in craft media such as ceramics, metals, fiber, glass, and wood by international, national, and regional artists. Located on Smallman Street in the Strip District, the cultural hub of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, SCC offers numerous workshops to complement their exhibits that focus on cultural diversity and non-mainstream art.[1]

Between three and four exhibits are displayed annually in SCC's main gallery and bring in approximately 23,000 visitors. Another 100,000 visit the Satellite Gallery at One Mellon Center that was opened in 1990. This second gallery is located in the Pittsburgh T-station and allows those working downtown the opportunity to experience art.[2][3]

SCC is committed to its nonprofit nature and the desire to bring arts to the community and offers as much free access and programs as possible. In addition to the current exhibits and various studio workshops, SCC reaches out into the community and focuses on at-risk youth, seniors in assisted living, and those living in homeless shelters.[4]

History

SCC was founded in 1971 by Elizabeth Rockwell Raphael [5][6] in the belief that contemporary artists had new things to say with traditional materials, and that they needed wider opportunities to exhibit and sell their work. Since then, SCC has organized more than 230 exhibitions and has established a satellite gallery [7] and a permanent collection. SCC also offers a range of studio classes, community outreach programs, and a retail store.

Elizabeth “Betty” Rockwell Raphael, who has been called one of the most groundbreaking women in the arts [8] was the first to transform the Pittsburgh arts scene. Before its foundation in 1971, Raphael opened a small art gallery in 1941 making the first modern art gallery Pittsburgh had ever seen. She introduced a new vision of art to the city and created what is now one of the only organizations in the country that focuses solely on craft media.[9]

In 2010, SCC was named a Champion in Action® in the community arts category by Citizens Bank and WPXI-TV and received a $25,000 grant for “offering cutting-edge exhibitions focused on multi-cultural diversity and non-mainstream art, as well as a range of classes and community outreach programs,” said Ralph J, Papa, Chairman of Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania.[10]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/the-society-for-contemporary-craft/Location?oid=1352193 Pittsburgh City Paper
  2. ↑ http://boringpittsburgh.com/art/pittsburghs-first-modern-art-gallery/ Boring Pittsburgh
  3. ↑ http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/societycontempcraft060809.aspx Pop City Media- The One and Only: Society for Contemporary Craft
  4. ↑ http://www.citizensbank.com/about-us/news/citizens/2010/10_06_10_pitt_champion.aspx Citizens Bank
  5. ↑ http://www.contemporarycraft.org/The_Store/ERR_Interview.html Contemporary Craft - Elizabeth Rockwell Rapael Interview
  6. ↑ http://boringpittsburgh.com/tag/elizabeth-rockwell-raphael/ Boring Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh’s first modern art gallery
  7. ↑ http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/societycontempcraft060809.aspx Pop City Media
  8. ↑ http://boringpittsburgh.com/art/pittsburghs-first-modern-art-gallery Boring Pittsburgh
  9. ↑ http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/societycontempcraft060809.aspx Pop City Media
  10. ↑ http://www.citizensbank.com/about-us/news/citizens/2010/10_06_10_pitt_champion.aspx Citizens Bank-Society for Contemporary Craft is new Champion in Action
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