At Berea College, students learn by doing. Since 1893, craft has been part of the College’s Work–Learning–Service program. Students design and make objects by hand while developing skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
Every piece offered here is the result of that process.
Student Craft is not a degree program. It is an experiential learning environment where approximately 100 students each year engage in the full arc of craft. That work includes significant effort alongside their academic studies. The focus is education first.
The objects are the outcome.
SHOP WEAVING
WEAVING
The oldest craft at Berea, weaving blends tradition with contemporary design. Students work across hand looms and digital technologies to create textiles that reflect today’s values through pattern, color, and material.
CLICK HERESHOP WOODCRAFT
WOODCRAFT
Rooted in Appalachian material culture, Woodcraft students combine hand tools, power equipment, and digital fabrication to produce furniture and objects that explore utility, form, and meaning.
CLICK HERESHOP BROOMCRAFT
BROOMCRAFT
What began as a utilitarian trade has evolved into a space for thoughtful design. Students build on the long tradition of broom-making, balancing function and form to create pieces that feel both purposeful and sculptural.
CLICK HERESHOP CERAMICS
CERAMICS
Built on collaboration and experimentation, the ceramics studio emphasizes process, teamwork, and material understanding. The result is functional wares and expressive forms made entirely in-house.
CLICK HERE
Student Craft is part of Berea College’s Work-Learning-Service Program, where every student gains hands-on experience alongside a fully funded liberal arts education. One hundred students work across Broomcraft, Ceramics, Weaving, and Woodcraft, learning the craft process from start to finish—design, material selection, production, quality control, and collaboration.
Each year, students create approximately 4,000 handcrafted objects, released in small, limited-edition drops throughout the month. Because Student Craft is first and foremost an educational program, quantities are intentionally limited and items often sell out. Every purchase directly supports student learning, skill-building, and the continuation of traditional craft in a contemporary setting.
STUDENT CRAFT FILMS
Kate’s Story
Through Kate’s journey at Berea College, this video captures how craft becomes a powerful path to self‑discovery, confidence, and purpose. As she hones her skills and trusts the process, we see how dedication to making—whether in the studio or workshop—can shape not just objects, but a sense of identity and impact beyond the classroom.
A Student Craft Story: Alex ’26
Alex ’26’s journey into broomcraft begins with intimidation and grows into a story of confidence, community, and creative pride. Through patience, shared learning, and a space where it’s safe to fail, she finds not just a craft to master, but a family, and a deeper appreciation for the power of handmade work.
A Student Craft Story: Nora ’25
Nora’s (’25) ceramics tell a deeply personal story, blending her Moroccan heritage with the techniques she’s discovered at Berea College. Through pieces like handmade tagines, she honors her family’s roots while shaping an artistic voice that reflects both where she comes from and who she’s becoming.
Craft Research Talks – The Poynors: A Legacy of Black Chairmakers + Q&A
This Craft Research Talk uncovers the remarkable legacy of the Poynor family, revealing how generations of overlooked chairmakers shaped innovation, community, and the ladderback tradition in central Tennessee. Through contemporary making, historical research, and candid conversation, the speakers challenge whose stories get remembered—and how honoring these objects can reshape the future of craft history.
Craft Stories: Emerson ’21
Emerson Croft ’21 shares how Student Craft at Berea College became a space to design with intention, voice, and care, culminating in their Elements series of non‑gendered baby blankets. Through making, Emerson tells a deeply personal story—one rooted in identity, imagination, and the rare experience of feeling truly seen and supported.
