At a university known for grand origins in science and technology , something like a Craft Center may seem a bit out of place . Compared to nuclear physics or computer science , slippery hands on a potter ’ s wheel or stringing beads on a wire might seem if not antithetical , then at least unexpected . But UC San Diego is well known for defying expectations , and lives up to its reputation in this instance with not one , but two Craft Centers having been an integral part of its history — and its future .
When announced in 2012 that the original and much-beloved Craft Center was closing after nearly 40 years of operation , many patrons and supporters felt like a cornerstone of the community was being demolished along with its patchwork cottage of a building . Though assurances were made that a new Craft Center would be realized in the future , many of the center ’ s devotees were doubtful . Yet the promise has been fulfilled with the recent opening of an 11,000-squarefoot Craft Center , a dynamic , multipurpose space situated at the heart of the new North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood .
The new Center follows in the footsteps of the original , and its manager , Annika Nelson , is committed to restoring and amplifying its fervent sense of community . An award-winning visual artist , book illustrator and art instructor , Nelson has fond memories of teaching a block printing class at the original center some 20 years ago and speaks in reverential tones about Ron Carlson , who served as the director of the original Craft Center for some 35 years .
“ Ron and his staff not only provided a broad variety of crafts classes , exhibitions and even a beloved café — the Grove — for over three decades , but he was also able to build a very cohesive , engaged and loyal community — both on and off campus ,” says Nelson . “ I feel that I am building this new community of craft lovers on Ron ’ s shoulders . It was the success and dedication of the original Craft Center that fueled the momentum and interest in what I like to call the Craft Center 2.0 . Without that enthusiasm and commitment , the new center might not have ever materialized .”
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BY DOLORES DAVIES
TRITONMAG . COM 35