“Everyone that comes here always says, ‘Wow, this is awesome. I didn’t know this was here. I wish I would’ve known about this my freshman year,’ and that’s our biggest challenge right now,” says Kaarin Swan, Studio Arts and Crafts Centre’s Operations Manager.

Aside from being one of the university’s hidden gems, the Studio Arts and Crafts Centre is as much for artistically blessed students and community members as it is for non-artists who strive to express whatever hidden talents they may secretly posses.

Its location on the ground floor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union, Room EG30, may be the reason many people do not know of the craft centre and all of the amenities they have to offer.

“Everyone that comes here always says, ‘Wow, this is awesome. I didn’t know this was here. I wish I would’ve known about this my freshman year,’ and that’s our biggest challenge right now,” says Kaarin Swan, Studio Arts and Crafts Centre’s Operations Manager.

Walking into the craft centre, it’s hard not to notice all of the amazing works of art that are produced in the space. Pottery, intricate screen prints, jewelry and welcomed graffiti are just some of the pieces that decorate the hallway leading up to the main workspaces.

Dwight Nodolf, who has been working at the craft centre for the past two years, admits that this is the first job he’s ever taken seriously. Nodolf is the photo area head, which means he is in charge of the dark room. On Monday nights, he teaches an introductory black and white photo workshop.

“It’s going very well,” Nodolf says about his Monday night class. “We have some really nice students that are stoked on photography.”

Photography is just one of many media that are practiced and worked on in the centre. They own their own kiln that is free to students if they provide their own clay. The centre has eight pottery wheels that are also free to use when a class is not in session. If students have their own material, they are welcome to rent out sewing machines free of charge.

The darkrooms are free to students as well, as long as they bring their own medium.

“Space is available to take whenever they want. Students are free to work, because they pay through their segregated fees,” says Swan. “Just as students ride BOSS for free, they can come down and use our facilities for free.”

The craft centre also sells supplies to whoever wants them, at cost. Paper, film, wires and wax to make jewelry and ink are just some of the items they sell to students right on campus.

“We have a lot to offer and a lot of it goes to waste because people aren’t really aware of what goes on down here,” Swan admits.

Any student is welcome to sign up for a class, even if they know nothing about art. The teachers are on-hand to make everyone feel comfortable working with torches, pottery wheels and jewelry saws.

Classes with spaces available for new students include Screenprinting on Fabric every Saturday in October and Traditional Asian Pottery, which starts Wednesday, Oct. 24 and goes through Nov. 28.

The craft centre also offers one day workshops covering subjects such as bookmaking and enameling, as well as a crash course in basic sewing where students will be able to make a tote bag and skirt. The only fee for students enrolled in either a class or workshop is the cost to cover the required materials.

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