The ASI Craft Center reopens after renovations
This is a cross-published piece with Mustang News, more information can be found here
The newly renovated ASI Craft Center is now open for students, faculty and staff. The center closed for renovations in June of last year and opened back up on Jan. 22.
Jill Baxter, the Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Assessment explains how some features and classes at the center are familiar and others are new.
“We recognize that the craft center has a lot of history and it’s a special place, so we haven’t changed a ton,” Baxter said. “But, we’re hoping to preserve what worked really well, so ceramics is still around. We still have surfboard shaping, which is a really popular program, and we’ve integrated some new programs as well.”
Some of these new classes include Knitting Basics, Introduction to Crochet and more. Baxter says that they are also hoping to incorporate more one-time workshop experiences so that people can still get involved without committing to a multi-week-long course.
The price of workshops and courses varies depending on the materials required and the length of the course. Some courses, like Jewelry Basics and Ceramics, offer open studio access to students who register and pay for the course.
The workshops and courses at the craft center are led and taught by students. On Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., construction management senior Cooper Strong instructs Beginning Ceramics, where he teaches people the basics of wheel throwing.
“We have a lot more space for pottery, which is really cool, and everyone is really excited that it’s opened back up,” Strong said.
Registration is required for all courses like Ceramics and Introduction to Stained Glass, but there is a space for people to spontaneously come and express their creativity.
As the Craft Center gets back on its feet and continues to make some changes, Baxter asks that people remain patient with them.
“I’m looking forward to see how we grow and scale,” Baxter said. “Like, I want it to be a place where people feel inspired and excited to be at Cal Poly.”
More information on the newly renovated Craft Center can be found here.
