Craft Alliance Gallery Celebrates 40 Years

The Craft Alliance in St. Louis, Mo., is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a yearlong schedule of exhibits and events. Established in 1964, the Craft Alliance began as a cooperative gallery in the Central West End of St. Louis. In 1969, it moved to its present location in the Loop in University City, which provides more exhibition space as well as a studio for classes in clay, glass, metal, fiber, wood and other craft media.

“Work From the Studios,” a juried exhibition of works in clay, glass, metal, fiber and fine art by adults who participated in a class at Craft Alliance between fall 2002 and summer 2004, opens on July 30. There will be awards for Best of Show and Awards of Excellence.

The brainchild of six local craftspeople, Craft Alliance has continually grown to meet the demands of the community. Today, the retail gallery carries the handmade work of more than 400 contemporary craft artists from the United States and abroad.

The exhibition gallery presents one-of-a-kind work from contemporary craft artists in six to eight themed shows per year. More than 30,000 people visited the gallery in the year ending June 30, 2003.

The Craft Alliance earns more than 63 percent of its operating income from tuition, sales and membership. Craft Alliance has been a sustaining funding member of the Arts & Education Council since 1985 and receives additional financial support from the Regional Arts Commission, the Missouri Arts Council, individuals, corporations and foundations.

For More Information Visit www.craftalliance.org.

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