Touchstone Center for Crafts

Pennsylvania’s Premier Craft School

724-329-1370
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Touchstone 2020 Interns

August 20, 2020 by touchstonecenterforcrafts Leave a Comment

Meet Touchstone’s Second Group of 2020 Interns…

 Jessica Howerton

Jessica is a metalsmith who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metals from Tennessee Tech University’s Appalachian Center for Craft. Her work focuses on the collection and preservation of both childhood memories and found objects. Jessica enjoys making work that encompasses intricate details and simplistic designs.

Instagram: @metalsmithextraordinaire

Live Demo: Tuesday, September 1 
7:00 PM (Eastern)

Julia Castor

Julia is a ceramic artist and a fine art painter from Bucks County, PA. Her work draws inspiration from the natural world and art history, among other things. She is extremely excited and humbled to be part of the Touchstone team this year, and to have the chance to work and grow as an artist on Touchstone’s beautiful campus in the Laurel Highlands.

Instagram: @castor.art.and.pottery

Live Demo: Tuesday, September 8 
7:00 PM (Eastern)

Meghan Burke

Meg is a New Jersey transplant now living in Pittsburgh, PA. She is a ceramic artist specializing in handbuilt wood fired pottery. This is Meg’s fourth season at Touchstone. She is very excited to be back in the ceramics studio at Touchstone and firing the wood kiln once again.

Instagram: @meghanburkestudio

Live Demo: Tuesday, September 15 
7:00 PM (Eastern)


Watch the LIVE Streams on Instagram!
Intern Artist Demos

September 1, 8, & 15 – Tuesdays at 7:00 PM (Eastern)
Throughout the summer, we’ll be checking in to the studios to see what our Interns are working on.

Watch the live demonstrations using the Instagram app or at Instagram.com.

  1. Follow @touchstonecenterforcrafts on Instagram
  2. Tune in at the times listed
  3. Tap or click on our profile picture (teasel logo) to view the live video
  4. Links to the videos will be posted below at a later date

Click to Watch Recordings of Previous Intern Artist Demos…

All of our 2020 Interns will be organizing an exhibition and sale during our Virtual Open House…


Save the Date – Saturday, September 26th

Touchstone’s First Virtual Open House

We’re bringing Touchstone to you! Join us online Sat, Sept. 26th from 11am to 4pm for live demonstrations, campus and studio tours, online art activities and more!

More Information Coming Soon!


Filed Under: ceramics, crafts, events, exhibition, interns, metals and jewelry, online event, virtual

A Maker’s Mark: Touchstone’s Innovative Expression

September 21, 2018 by Dean Simpson Leave a Comment

An exciting exhibition curated by Touchstone’s 2018 Summer Staff! Visit Clay Place at Standard in Carnegie, PA for an exhibition highlighting the talents of the many artists that Touchstone would not be the same without, and representing the various crafts that Touchstone cultivates.  

Clay Place at Standard has teamed up with Pennsylvania’s Touchstone Center for Crafts for an eclectic exhibition of work from artists who have inspired the 2018 Summer Staff and Resident Artists at the residential craft school. Each season, Touchstone provides opportunities for artists to live and work on the 150-acre campus, while learning studio management and working on their craft. The experience offers the chance for these emerging artists to network with some of North America’s finest artisans who come to Touchstone to teach and learn through immersive craft workshops.

Pulling from Touchstone’s Artists of the Year, instructors, members and friends, the staff invited artists near and dear to Touchstone to show work alongside the current staff. Artists exhibiting include: Katie Adler, Erika Broas, Meg Burke, Aaron DeShields, Norb Duritsa, Ed Eberhardt, Glen Gardner, Lindsay Ketterer Gates, Maddi Graybill, Morgan Herman, Roger Hyndman, Katie Konrad, Anna Koplik, Dan Kuhn, Stacy Larson, Maia Leppo, Michael (Fig) Mangiafico, Janice Patrignani, Chuck Purviance, Dean Simpson, Dan Tomcik, Nathanael Weiss, Wayne Werner, Sam Whitney, and Travis Winters.

The exhibition begins Oct. 7 and concludes Feb. 22 at Clay Place at Standard in Carnegie, PA. Displayed artwork includes Blacksmithing, Ceramics, Glass, Metals & Jewelry, Painting, Printmaking, and other mediums. This will be the first multi-medium art exhibition hosted at the gallery, which is located at Standard Ceramic Supply. In addition to showcasing artwork, the exhibit will highlight stories of how Touchstone has made an impact on each participants’ life. Through this exhibition of artwork and words, spectators can experience the magic of Touchstone Center for Crafts.

A public reception is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 7 from 2–5 p.m. The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served. Clay Place at Standard is located at Standard Ceramic Supply, 1 Walnut St., Carnegie, PA 15106. The exhibition will run until Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Items will be available for sale.

Filed Under: exhibition

NCECA 2018 Pittsburgh: The Gist Street International Ceramics Bash & Exhibition

March 10, 2018 by Dean Simpson Leave a Comment

An eclectic group of ARTISTS take part in a celebration of nature and community through the ceramic arts, along with public art, music, dance, a fashion show, photography, and a big party!

Organized by James Simon and Whitney Smith, the exhibition includes artwork by Touchstone ceramic artists.

Exhibition Dates: March 13-18, 2018
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 1:00-6:00 pm (Wednesday 10:00 am-5:00 pm)
Reception: Friday, March 16, 7:30 pm until 1:00 am

EXPECT: AMAZING live music and great drinks. Organized by James Simon, Whitney Smith, and John Fleenor – all podium furniture created by Master Iron Worker John Walters.

MUSIC: starting at 10:00 pm FEATURES THE INCREDIBLE “Bombici” Psychedelic Balkan Music, LIVE!

WHERE: 305 Gist St., 15219, is a well-known art street 9 minutes from downtown where John Fleenor & James Simon both live and work. John’s 2,500 sf garage space will host the clay exhibit and fashion show. Simon’s three-story warehouse/studio/home, directly across the street will host the after-party.

TOUCHSTONE ARTISTS: Mark Arnold, Fred Herbst, Doug Jeppesen, Daniel Tomcik, Dan Scully, Matthew Hyleck, Stacy Larson, Yoko Sekino-Bové, Brett Kern, Didem Mert, and Travis Winters

INFO: James Simon, 412-434-5629, simonsculpture.com

The 52nd Annual Conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts will take place March 14-17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

CrossCurrents: Clay and Culture, our theme for NCECA’s 2018 conference reflects Pittsburgh as a city of rivers, bridges, complex immigrant history, gritty perseverance, & reinvention.

Filed Under: exhibition, instructors

Touchstone Center for Crafts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance excellence in the arts and crafts by educating and encouraging individuals to develop technical skills, good design, and innovative expression.


Touchstone Center for Crafts stands in solidarity with the Black community and condemns all acts of racism, discrimination, and senseless violence. We firmly believe that everyone has a right to dignity, respect, and equality without fear. As an organization, we commit to listen and learn and to grow. We will continue to work to empower people to use art as a means of expression, a way to build community, and a powerful voice for change.


2021 Registration Is Now Open!

Click Workshops to view offerings in each studio

NEW! Artist Residency Opportunities in 2021!

LEARN MORE


In light of the current COVID-19 concerns and need for social distancing, Touchstone’s staff is working a rotating mix of office hours and remote work until further notice. Office voicemail: 724-329-1370 will be checked daily. Staff members can be reached by email: info@touchstonecrafts.org.

Our offices and campus remain closed to the public. Please follow our social media: Facebook and Instagram, and check out our digital offerings on the Virtual Events page. Thank you for your patience as we take precautions for the health and safety of our staff and community.

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