VCU Craft students’ work on display at American Craft Council Conference

A number of Virginia Commonwealth University students in the Craft and Material Studies Department attended the American Craft Council (ACC) conference in Baltimore in February, participating in “School to Market: Bridging the Gap Between Craft Curriculum and the Marketplace.”

The ACC selected VCU students to receive free booth space and a furniture display area at the show, which was held Feb. 19-24, in order to display some of the best work of current students and recent alumni. The VCU chapter of the Contemporary Crafts Society led organization for the event, helping with organizational efforts and devising the display strategy.

The ACC show is a nationally recognized juried show of contemporary craft dating back to 1966. VCU students exhibited their work alongside professional artists in Baltimore. Natalya Pinchuk, assistant professor of craft and material studies, assisted the studies and attended the show. She said “working side by side with the best in the field is a valuable opportunity for students to gain exposure to professional retail and wholesale markets.”