About Us

History
The Craft Center began as a student-run tool check-out service for the Memorial Union Art Gallery in the late 1960s. The service started in one room in the basement of Freeborn Hall. The program grew over the years to include classes and workshops, eventually occupying five rooms in the Freeborn basement.

In 1975, the center moved to a 5,000-square-foot building located in what is now the Silo Pub. In 1990, the Craft Center opened in its current 10,000-square-foot facility in the South Silo building on the UC Davis campus.

Today, the Craft Center offers more than 100 classes for adults per quarter in 12 different studios, including ceramics, woodworking, screenprinting, glass, flameworking, jewelry & casting, welding, photography, arts & crafts, and textiles (weaving, sewing and dyeing).  Experienced users can also purchase day or quarter passes to use the studios when classes are not in session.

Class Instructors
Have you always had a secret desire to teach? We are interested in new class proposals and often have openings for our basic classes. This is a wonderful way to become involved with the Craft Center and to share knowledge of your craft. In addition to an hourly wage, we offer instructors free use of the facility and half price on all Craft Center classes. Call Jan at 530.752.3096 to inquire about instructor openings or download the three page Instructor Interest Form (page 1, 2, 3), fill it out and bring it into the Craft Center or mail or fax it in 530.754.7817.

Volunteer Opportunities
As a Craft Center volunteer, you will join a creative community, gain work experience and learn new craft skills! Volunteers work five hours per week each quarter. In return, you will receive free use of the facility, plus half-price on all classes for that quarter and for the quarter following. You’ll do everything from working at our front desk and checking out tools to assisting in setting up displays and maintaining studios.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please phone Jan at 530.752.3096 to see if any volunteer spots are available.

Class Evaluations
Please complete a course evaluation for every class you take at the Craft Center. This is how we learn from you. If you don’t get one in class, request a course evaluation form at the front desk. Ask for the Class Evaluation Books at the front desk to read class evaluations from previous participants. Your comments and suggestions are important to us.

Children and the Craft Center
During the summer, we offer camps for children 8 to 12 years old and mini-camps for 13 to 15 years old. For safety reasons, children not in these classes may not accompany adults in our labs and may not be left unattended in our lobby. Teens age 16 and above may register for our adult classes in most studios (minimum age for wood, welding, and lampworking is 18 years old).