Society of Connecticut Craftsmen

The Society of Connecticut Craftsmen began in 1935 with a small group of craftsmen throughout the state of Connecticut whose goal it was to promote and to educate the public about fine handcrafts. They did this through regional meetings, lectures, workshops in various media, and informal sessions in which more experienced craftspeople critiqued and counseled beginners. They published information on fine craft standards, and instructions on setting up sales and exhibitions. There were many festive craft sales held around the state, complete with educational hands-on demonstrations to educate the public.

Their main purpose was education, and many member volunteers went into veterans’ hospitals, public schools, community centers, and "Y"s all over Connecticut to teach basic skills in clay, basketry, weaving, woodwork, and metalwork. Members taught courses at special summer sessions at the Willimantic State Teachers College. The Society of Connecticut Craftsmen offered scholarships for advanced study in the crafts to members; presented awards to the finest high school student crafts submitted to Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards; and indeed student craft work in their Annual Exhibitions.

Many Connecticut craft organizations were nurtured by the Society of Connecticut Craftsmen. They guided the inception of the Brookfield Craft Center and supplied the faculty for it. They promoted the Weavers Guild, Wesleyan Potters, and the Guilford Handcraft Center. The Connecticut Guild of Craftsmen was started by a group of our members who were very interested in marketing their craftwork.

The main responsibility became a juried fine craft exhibition at a different Connecticut museum, gallery, or university each year.

- adapted from a Society of Connecticut Craftsmen exhibition label