Craft Alliance

06/01/2026

Welcome to the first week of Summer Arts Camps! Our studios are buzzing with creativity as campers dive into their first projects. We are thrilled to kick off a summer of imagination and making.

Craft Alliance Summer Camp 2026 Member Registration: February 2nd – General Public Registration: February 9th (starting at 8 am) Camp Schedule – Register Here: Click the plus button next to the week you would like to register for. All registration links will be found under each bucket. If you ar...

05/31/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 🛠

We recently uncovered some incredible pieces of Craft Alliance history in our archives at The State Historical Society of Missouri, and we couldn't wait to share them with our community!

Pictured here is the legendary master metalsmith and former Washington University professor, Heikki Seppa, standing alongside one of his breathtaking, large-scale sculptural metal forms.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗦𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗿" 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The accompanying St. Louis Post-Dispatch feature captures a monumental milestone: our 25th Anniversary "Silver Wear" exhibition. To commemorate the occasion, Seppa hand-forged a show-stopping necklace combining sterling silver, 18-karat gold, and a rare piece of rutilated quartz. He meticulously crafted five V-shaped bars to sit beneath the quartz—with each individual bar representing five years of Craft Alliance's history.

Seppa’s dedication to the "sophistication of slight gradation" and his refusal to rely on machine-made chains perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the maker movement. Every single link was individually fashioned by hand to proudly display the mark of true craftsmanship.

Carrying the Torch in the Delmar Maker District

Decades later, that exact same passion for contemporary craft, community education, and pushing the boundaries of metalwork thrives right here in our studios. Heikki Seppa helped shape the foundation of the St. Louis arts scene, and we are proud to continue honoring that legacy every day in the Delmar Maker District.

"Anyone who has worked for Craft Alliance has had to put some heart into it." — Heikki Seppa

Are you ready to make your own mark on St. Louis art history? Drop by our website to explore our upcoming metalsmithing and jewelry sessions, or visit our gallery shop to support the next generation of local makers.

Explore our studios & classes: www.craftalliance.org/classes/

05/30/2026

Keeping a nine-year-old and six-year-old twins creatively engaged on a weekend is no small feat! That’s why we love opening our doors to the St. Louis community for Free Family Saturdays.

Join us every Third Saturday of the month for a free, hands-on craft workshop designed for kids ages 5 and up, along with their parents or caregivers. Led by our professional teaching artists, families create together in our studios—exploring clay, fiber, textiles, metals, and more!

No registration required—just drop in and get creative!When: Third Saturday of each month, 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Where: Craft Alliance, 5080 Delmar Blvd, 63108
Located right in the vibrant Delmar Maker District of St. Louis.

05/29/2026

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁. 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀!

Join us on Friday, July 17, from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM for the Craft Alliance Ice Cream Social—the official kick-off to the Third Annual Delmar Maker District (DMD) Block Party!

Here is how it works: Make a donation to Craft Alliance (Event Donation: $35 | VIP Donation: $50) and enjoy a delicious ice cream sundae served in a stunning, one-of-a-kind artisan-made ceramic bowl that is yours to keep!

As a non-profit art center located right in the heart of the Delmar Maker District, we are dedicated to enriching lives and empowering our St. Louis community through craft. What better way to celebrate our local arts scene than by gathering for ice cream before stepping out into the neighborhood festivities?

After you finish your sundae, stick around for the DMD Block Party happening right outside our doors on Delmar Boulevard from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM! You can shop from over 35 local artists at the Outdoor Makers Market, catch live glassblowing demonstrations, and enjoy local food trucks and live music.

Grab your tickets today at https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/467487!

Let's celebrate the incredible maker movement together.

05/27/2026

An interview with artist in residence, Alisha Porter - ceramics artist, Clay Studio faculty, and community & camps instructor.

05/27/2026

For over two decades, Bev Aroh has been the steady hand, the boundless wealth of knowledge, and the heart of the Craft Alliance clay studio.

While her personal journey with clay began with a serendipitous Raku firing back in the 1950s, we have been incredibly lucky to call her our Clay Faculty and Studio Assistant for the last 20+ years. With her retirement approaching and her final day in the studio this Friday, we sat down with Bev for a special feature: A Quick Chat with Bev Aroh.

From teaching ceramics to military families in Germany to finding artistic inspiration in spring dandelions, Bev's story is one of lifelong curiosity and dedication to the craft. In our latest blog and video, she shares her organic approach to design and reflects on the profound, therapeutic power of leaving your troubles at the studio door.

Grab your favorite handmade mug and take a few minutes to celebrate an incredible legacy.

Read the feature and watch the full interview here: https://www.craftalliance.org/a-quick-chat-with-bev-aroh/

Bev's last day is this Friday! Please join us in the comments below to share your favorite memories, express your gratitude, and wish her a wonderful retirement.

An interview with artist in residence, Alisha Porter - ceramics artist, Clay Studio faculty, and community & camps instructor.

05/26/2026

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁?

Join us for our Craft After Hours: Making a Mug ceramics workshop!

In this evening workshop, you’ll craft a personalized ceramic mug using handbuilding techniques. Using slab construction and simple coil methods, you’ll shape, assemble, and refine a functional mug perfect for your morning coffee or tea. We will guide you through learning how to construct the body, add a comfortable handle, and explore surface decoration options to make your mug uniquely yours. Plus, instruction includes tips on form, balance, and glazing to ensure your piece is both beautiful and practical!

We love bringing the St. Louis community together to celebrate the maker movement 💖. This workshop is open to all levels, welcoming beginners and experienced makers alike.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: Friday, June 19, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: Beginner / All Levels (Ages 16+).
𝗧𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: $69 (Members: $59) plus a $25 Studio Fee.
𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 & 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲: All materials are provided, but students should wear closed-toe shoes in the studio. Aprons are available in the studios. (Additional materials or kits can be purchased here: https://app.donorview.com/ZQ5w5).

Tap the link to https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/2o8zo1 to secure your spot. We are so excited to create with you in the Delmar Maker District!

05/25/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲!

Today, we are pausing to reflect and spend time with our wonderful St. Louis community.

Please note that our administrative offices are closed today in observance of the holiday. However, if you have a scheduled class today, our studios are open and your class is still on!

Whether you are spending the day reflecting with loved ones or getting your hands dirty in one of our studios, we wish you a safe, peaceful, and creative holiday

05/24/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁. 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆!

We are Craft Alliance, a nonprofit art center dedicated to nurturing creativity and engagement, educating and enriching our community through craft. Located right here in the vibrant Delmar Maker District of St. Louis, we provide an inclusive community for artists, enthusiasts, and students to explore and celebrate craft in all its forms.

Make sure to get updates on all our events, programs, and classes. Sign up for the Craft Alliance newsletter! Whether you are interested in our professional artist faculty or our studios for blacksmithing, ceramics, fibers, glass, metals, print & paper, and woodcraft, our newsletter is your gateway to it all.

At Craft Alliance, we believe craft can inspire, connect, and transform lives. We are so incredibly proud of the work our local makers do, and we want you to be a part of this amazing journey!

Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://app.donorview.com/qr37l

05/23/2026

This week's Crafting Rainbow is all about flat paper flowers! We are showing your little ones how to create beautiful, stemless paper blooms using just a few simple materials you probably already have at home. Because these flowers are designed to be flat, they are incredibly versatile. They are perfect for building colorful wall collages, decorating handmade greeting cards, or stringing together into bright room garlands for a bedroom.

Head over to our latest blog post to watch the full YouTube video tutorial and get the step-by-step written instructions to follow along at your own pace: https://www.craftalliance.org/crafting-rainbow-may-flowers/

We absolutely love seeing the creativity of our St. Louis youth flourish. If you try this at home, snap a picture of your family's creations and tag us! We can't wait to share your colorful gardens with our local maker community.

Looking for more hands-on fun? Keep the creativity flowing all summer long in our studios! Registration for our 2026 Summer Arts Camps (Ages 7-18) is officially open. From clay to metalsmithing, there is something for every young maker. Secure your spot today at craftalliance.org/camp

Family-friendly crafting activities to do at home, with commonly found household arts items. A new theme each month!