Brick House Arts: Where Craft Meets Community

Nestled in the heart of Hancock, New Hampshire, Brick House Arts is more than just a studio—it’s a vibrant hub for tactile creativity and connection. Housed in a space that breathes history and inspiration, the center is anchored by the expertise of resident artists Erin Sweeney and Bob Petzold.

At Brick House, the philosophy is simple: handwork is a bridge to community. Whether you are a seasoned maker or picking up a tool for the first time, the atmosphere is designed to be inclusive, supportive, and deeply rooted in the joy of making.

Workshops & Offerings

The center specializes in a diverse range of traditional and contemporary disciplines, offering hands-on instruction in:

• Book Arts: Exploring structures, binding techniques, and the narrative power of the handmade book.
• Printmaking: From hand-set type to experimental pulls, capturing the magic of the democratic multiple.
• Fibers: Embroidery, hand and machine stitching, coiling and tactile exploration of textile traditions.
• Woodworking: Crafting functional beauty through a deep respect for raw materials and joinery.

The Heart of the House

The “pivotal” mission of Brick House Arts is community. It serves as a gathering place where the act of creating side-by-side fosters lasting relationships and a shared appreciation for the slow, intentional pace of the handmade life.

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Penland Gallery presents the exhibition, Now is the Time to Understand More.

The title is taken from a Marie Curie quote:

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”

In the mission of this exhibition, we acknowledge our ninety-seven-year history of craft education, but choose to underscore this moment in time through the lens of artists-makers.

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This panel will revisit the National Basketry Organization’s biennial exhibition, Basketry Now, held this past fall at Textile Center in Minneapolis.

The artworks showcased the best in basketry from across the country and included entries from 64 artists, as far away as the UK, Italy, and Australia.

Hosted by Emily Dvorin, the panel includes Gyöngy Laky (juror), Carol Eckert and Peeta Tinay. Join us to hear a fascinating discussion about the contemporary world of basketry

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Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, Illinois, is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit. Founded in 1979, the center inspires creativity year-round through adult classes in a wide variety of arts and crafts, including weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, basketry and glassblowing. Welcoming everyone from beginners to experienced artists seeking community, Fine Line offers classes for all skill levels.

In addition to classes, Fine Line is also home to the Kavanagh Gallery and the Dempsey Artisan Shop. The Kavanagh Gallery hosts a number of exhibitions each year featuring work by local and national artists, providing a platform for artists to showcase their art to the broader community.

The Dempsey Artisan Shop gives local artists a year-round opportunity to sell their work. Fine Line offers a welcoming, supportive space for artists and art lovers to thrive.

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Nest is a nonprofit committed to helping US and global craft communities grow and thrive. We understand the importance of handcraft and the meaning it can hold for every life it touches. That’s why we connect a community of artisans, retailers and philanthropies to bring the full beauty of craft to the world.

Nest uplifts makers and artisans through tools and resources to develop their entrepreneurial skills, connect with others, and improve their economic independence. By leveraging human-centered design, artisans and makers co-create their experience with Nest based on their business priorities. They are able to drive their experience and match Nest’s resources to their needs. We help handcraft businesses grow by fostering collaborative partnerships that put artisans and makers at the center of transforming business and society. And we celebrate the stories of the people, places and traditions of handcraft that bring us all closer together.

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Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s 43rd annual juried members’ exhibition features works in all fine craft media by established and emerging artists.

“The Best of 2026” showcases contemporary functional, sculptural and decorative approaches to works in clay, fiber, wood, glass, metal, jewelry or mixed media.

This year’s juror, Carol Sauvion, creator of the Peabody-award-winning PBS series, Craft in America, selected 73 works in clay, glass, metal, wood, fiber and mixed media from nearly 400 entries.

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Learn to make your own soft sculptures with artist Reniel Del Rosario.

Inspired by work on view in the Vault exhibition The Store of Sturtevant’s The Store of Claes Oldenburg, you’ll make your own foodie-inspired soft sculpture keychain of a hamburger, pie slice, or ice cream cone.

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Founded in 2009 by Steve Dilley, MFA, The Veterans Art Project (VETART) began as a single ceramics class at Grossmont College and has grown into a nationally recognized arts-based wellness and workforce development organization serving veterans, active-duty service members, spouses, dependents, and caregivers. Rooted in the belief that creative practice builds resilience, belonging, and purpose, VETART offers free, hands-on training in ceramics, glass casting, bronze casting, painting, drawing, and storytelling.

What began as a community-based studio program has evolved into a multi-partner ecosystem collaborating with museums, universities, Vet Centers, the VA, and community organizations across Southern California and beyond. Today, VETART is the only Department of War SkillBridge-approved arts training site in the nation, preparing transitioning service members for careers in the creative economy while strengthening social connection and emotional wellness.

Through deep arts engagement, exhibitions, and public programming, VETART transforms military experience into creative leadership—building community, restoring purpose, and advancing opportunity through the arts.

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Join Vesterheim Folk Art School from anywhere in the world to learn about rosemaling (Norwegian rose painting) on dala horses! This is a course that is for families and can be accessed throughout the month. Instructor Rachael Saum brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to this course.

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Join Vesterheim Folk Art School from anywhere in the world to learn the Norwegian art of kolrosing or incising decorative designs into wood. Instructor Darlene Fossum-Martin brings her years of experience and skill to this class.

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Visit scenic Decorah, Iowa to learn to rosemaling (Norwegian rose painting) in the Os style. Instructor Nancy Schmidt is a Vesterheim Gold Medalist with many years of teaching experience and a wealth of knowledge.

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Visit scenic Decorah, Iowa to learn traditional Viksdal rosemaling techniques. Instructor Cathy Castellanos is herself a rosemaler with many years of knowledge and teaching experience.

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The San Diego Public Library is a premier civic and cultural institution that connects our diverse community to free educational and cultural resources designed to enrich lives.

Serving more than 1.4 million residents across 342 square miles, the Library welcomes approximately 6.6 million visitors annually, making it the largest cultural institution in San Diego to offer free public programming.

Its expansive collection includes more than 5.3 million books, e-books, and audio-visual materials; 1.6 million government documents; and more than 265,295 books in 25 languages other than English, reflecting its commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and lifelong learning for all.

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The National Basketry Organization is an inclusive community of makers and enthusiasts whose mission is to promote awareness, inspire creativity, and foster appreciation for the heritage and artistry of basketry.

Founded in 1999 and incorporated as a non-profit in 2000, NBO has nearly 700 members reflecting the diversity of basket-making in America and extending beyond our borders.

As a non-profit organization, NBO promotes fellowship, provides education and increases awareness of the breadth of basketry.

Included among NBOs members are basket-makers, educators, collectors, gallery owners, students, scholars, curators, craft and art schools as well as museums. The NBO community encompasses a continuum of makers, from those who celebrate basketry’s traditional roots to those stretching the boundaries of materials and processes in contemporary applications.

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Foothills Craft Guild is the oldest craft Guild in the state of Tennessee.  We are a 501(c)3 non-profit that works to support local craftspeople.

Formed in 1968, we now are over 200 members of JURIED Fine Craftartistans, however, our Guild’s charter has not changed. It was—and still is–dedicated to:

• Encouraging the development and appreciation craft artisanship of all types;
• Promoting high standards of skill and design in handicrafts;
• Conducting educational programs on handicrafts with all ages;
• Sponsoring FINE craft shows and demonstrations;
• Engaging in activities which contribute to the advancement, development, and appreciation of arts and handicrafts.

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