About the Craft Center
What We Do
- We provide a welcoming space for all students.
- We bring students together in shared crafty interests.
- We measurably lower student stress by providing accessible and engaging hands-on activities.
- We engage students by having studios with specialized equipment, and guidance to use it.
- We provide employment that mentors students to be confident, have a deeper sense of self, and become part of a community that holds each other up.
- We work with student groups, organizations, and departments to bring students together in community and shared goals, with a focus on groups historically marginalized in the arts and crafts communities (BIPOC).
Our hopes for students
- We want students to craft things with their own hands.
- We know that in the making students will: connect, express, explore, convey, process, imagine, focus, de-stress, and much more.
- Our goal is to promote student well-being by providing both engaging activities and ways to connect with each other.
- For our student staff we create opportunities to develop their leadership and teaching skills in a nurturing environment.
Craft Center activities that DON'T require an orientation
There are work spaces scattered throughout the Craft Center for students to use.
Some activities students can do are:
- Needle Felting
- Hand Sewing
- Water Colors
- Leather Working
- Relief Painting
- Wood-burning
- Acrylic Painting
- Beading
Also the central paper arts work station is stocked with markers, scissors, papers, glue sticks, and more.
If you don't see what you need, ask the Front Desk for supplies!
Craft Center activities that DO require an orientation
Some of the activities in the Craft Center have some specialized equipment and processes. They require an orientation before use, which you can get from the studio's tech during their tech time.
Come in during the studio's tech time for an orientation!
Orientations are good for an academic year and reset in Fall.
The studios that require an orientation are:
Sewing
Metals/Jewelry
Ceramics
Screen-printing
Fused Glass
Stained Glass
Woodworking
Within each thing you’re creating, no matter how you feel like you’re failing within that particular exercise or that particular framework of what you’re working on…there’s something in there that’s opening something up in you.
– Carlos Murillo
Accessibility
The Craft Center was designed to be accessible and welcoming for all. Our work tables and pathways are at recommended ADA heights and widths. We have adjustable-height tables in the following studio areas: Woodworking, Glass, and Jewelry. Our most popular studio, Ceramics, has a rehabilitative pottery wheel specifically designed for wheelchair and standing access. We have several wheelchair-accessible sinks within the center to accommodate users with disabilities or limited mobility. We welcome all input on ways we can make functional improvements to better our studios for accessibility.
If you have concerns or suggestions on how we can make programming more accessible, or to request accommodations related to disabilities for an event, please get in touch with the Craft Center Director.
Student Experiences & Engagement
The OSU Craft Center is a department within Student Experiences & Engagement (SEE).
SEE challenges students to lead with care, align to their purpose and build leadership skills. As a dynamic campus organization, staff co-create opportunities for students to integrate the knowledge, skills and wisdom gained inside and outside of the classroom in order to transform themselves and their communities.
SEE is comprised of the following departments: Community Engagement & Leadership, the Craft Center, Diversity & Cultural Engagement and Experiential Learning & Activities. These departments provide a broad range of programming that contributes to student development, including cultural nights, community service activities, leadership and student media opportunities.