Craft Alliance
Upon arriving at Craft Alliance, I was immediately struck by how clean, open, and full of light the space was. From the entrance, you can see the metals and wood studios to the left, the printmaking studio, welcome desk, gallery, and shop to the right, and the fibers studio straight down the hall. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the outer walls, while interior glass walls between the studios and lobby allow natural light to flood the entire space, creating an inviting and energizing atmosphere.
I met with Grant Benoit, the Director of Education and the coordinator of the Artist-in-Residence program. We chatted in the main hallway about the program, the local art scene, and the resident artists. Grant was warm, welcoming, and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of Craft Alliance.
Our conversation highlighted the breadth of opportunities available to residents during the 11-month program. These include exhibitions, community engagement, guest artist workshops, teaching and learning opportunities, professional development support, and encouragement to explore new materials or media. At the culmination of the residency, Craft Alliance even hires a professional art photographer to document each artist's work and produces beautifully designed booklets for the final Artist-in-Residence Exhibition.
What stood out most during our talk was the level of care and passion that goes into every aspect of the residency. It’s clear that Craft Alliance goes above and beyond to create meaningful experiences and lasting support for every artist who walks through their doors—whether they’re attending a class, workshop, lecture, exhibition, or residency.
As I toured the studios, I was impressed by the high level of cleanliness and organization throughout. While it was evident that there is a top-notch studio manager on staff, the sense of order and respect clearly stems from a community of artists who take pride in their shared environment.
During open studio time, I had the chance to chat with a few artists working in the metal and ceramics studios. They were all smiles—clearly enjoying the supportive, creative energy of the space. Craft Alliance feels like a genuinely positive and inspiring place to make work.
