Cal Poly’s Craft Center undergoes renovation, reopens in January
Cal Poly’s Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) Craft Center is under renovation for the first time in over 30 years to improve the facility’s functionality and safety, according to the ASI Facility Projects website.
The Craft Center closed for renovation on June 11, 2023, and will reopen on Jan. 22, ASI said on Instagram.
During the third week of winter quarter, students can expect to see an advanced multi-purpose craft room, a refined stained glass studio and a larger ceramics space with more glazing opportunities.
ASI Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Assessment Jill Baxter said significant safety changes, including new fire sprinklers, are also a major addition to the center.
“As you can imagine, glass and woodworking can be dangerous, inherently based on the tools used for those crafts,” she said.“We’ve eliminated a couple of those studios that were particularly high risk and we’re building in more of a safety structure so that there’s an orientation for every user.”
The renovation’s estimated budget is $250,000. Facility projects “are funded by financial reserves and do not impact student fees,” ASI’s website said.
Baxter said while physical moderation was the initial purpose of this project, she hopes the renovations will transform the way students view the space, as well.
“Our goal is to create a space that’s open to everyone,” she said.
Baxter also said it’s important for the Craft Center to welcome in students of every experience level and create a nurturing environment.
“I am most excited to have Cal Poly students walk in that space and feel inspired, feel held, feel seen and feel free to be creative,” Baxter said.
Landscape architecture sophomore Vinya Peretto said she looks forward to the reopening and having the chance to socialize with Cal Poly’s creative community.
“I don’t have time to be in art classes right now because my major is so time-intensive,” she said. “It’ll be nice to have an outlet again.” ASI is in the process of bringing back its student staff to participate in these new improvements and resume teaching in the eight craft studios. Those interested can find updates on the Craft Center renovations on ASI’s Instagram.
