Craft Conception
Nestled between Bonner Hall and the large , grassy knoll known as “ the Hump ,” the original Craft Center opened in 1971 , working out of a paltry 1500-square-foot room set under a canopy of eucalyptus trees . In those early days , classes like ceramics and jewelry making would be held in empty classrooms or lecture halls . This was before the campus architect assembled four nearby storage sheds into one building , even integrating living trees into the resulting structure . Over the years , the Craft Center continued this organic evolution , with a donated potter ’ s wheel and kiln , and its staff partitioned the space into a photography darkroom and dedicated ceramics , jewelry making and glassblowing studios . As student interest climbed for arts and crafts on campus , a variety of classes were offered , from neon sign making to homebrewing with future master brewer Yuseff Cherney ’ 92 .
Andre Watson , MS ’ 09 , counts himself as one of the students personally impacted by the Craft Center . While working on his master ’ s degree in computer science , Watson decided to give glassblowing a try , drawing inspiration from his ancestry .
“ My grandfather was an industrial artistic glassblower in Germany for most of his career ,” explains Watson . “ He spoke a rare German dialect so
Andre Watson ’ 09
I was never able to communicate directly with him in his life , but the classes were a way to connect to him and his lifelong passion . It was an interesting way to experience something that meant so much to him .”
Watson went on to take welding , jewelry making and lamp working classes at the Craft Center , all of which he sees as part and parcel of his UC San Diego education . “ The Craft Center not only gave me a break from the rigors of computer science ,” he says , “ but presented me with a different type of challenge .” As student involvement grew , the center expanded to include the
Grove Gallery , funded by a grant from the Chancellor ’ s Associates donor group in 1982 . The gallery held countless exhibitions over the years , exposing students to local , regional and even national and international artists . Wendy Kwok ’ 99 recalls often taking a break from her studies to visit the many art exhibits .
“ While I did not take classes at the Craft Center , the Grove Gallery was a magnet , drawing me in to appreciate and be inspired by the variety of art forms . Seeking to understand the artists ’ perspective and meaning of their art was provocative , tranquil , and transformative .”
36 TRITON | WINTER 2022