Students Crafts on the Square

Specialties

Student Crafts on the Square is a fascinating gallery and demonstration space. On any given day you can find our craft students at work on their areas of profession: wood craft, pottery, jewelry, broom craft, and weaving.

Learn about the progressive, dramatic, and uplifting history of Berea College. Discover how the craft program came to exist in the 1890’s because of President William Frost’s summer riding horseback through the Appalachia mountains. Come be a part of carrying on the heritage of Appalachian crafts!

History

Established in 2009.

Berea College President WIlliam G. Frost, during the late 1890s, asked a local weaver whether she thought orders could be filled in a month or two for a half-​dozen duplicates of a hand-​woven coverlet made to his standards. Her reply, which Frost referred to as his «first lesson in weaving» summed up the difference between handcraft and manufacturing.

«President Frost, in order to make so many kivers we will have to raise more sheep, shear them, pick and wash the wool, card it and spin it, then collect the bark and sich to color it. Then we will have to have the loom all set up, fix the warp and abeam it, then get a draft and thread the warp for the pattern we want, then tie up the loom and then we will be ready for the weaving… It would take we’uns nigh noe year or more to afore we could have that many kivers wove. It’s no child’s play to weave a kiver, president.»

Frost’s lessons in mountain crafts began in 1893, during an all-​summer horseback ride through Appalachia

Students Crafts on the Square also recommends

Log House Craft Gallery

1

review

Arts & Crafts

,

Art Galleries

Students Crafts on the Square says,

«Berea College Student Crafts and work by artists around Kentucky!»

Boone Tavern Hotel

51

reviews

Hotels

,

American (Traditional)

Students Crafts on the Square says,

«A delicious, historical dining experience as well as a staple of the Berea experience.»

Peacecraft

2

reviews

Community Service/​Non-​Profit

,

Fashion

,

Art Galleries

Students Crafts on the Square says,

«Wonderful crafts, many upcycled, handmade by citizens of developing nations.»

Berea Coffee & Tea Co.

29

reviews

Coffee & Tea

,

American (Traditional)

Students Crafts on the Square says,

«Great drinks and food, friendly service, and a pleasant atmosphere with groovy music»

Main Street Café

22

reviews

American (New)

,

Music Venues

Students Crafts on the Square says,

«Great food and very friendly service. Art and lovely mirrors hanging everywhere!»