History of The Alabama Craft Guild
In 1972, some leading artisans in the Birmingham area who were friends because of their common interests in art and fine crafts decided to organize as a formal group. They chose the name, ALABAMA DESIGNER CRAFTSMEN. Lowell Vann, Head of the Art Department at Samford University, was instrumental in bringing the group together. The group set out their goals and with a few alterations they are still in use today. One of their primary interests was to have the opportunity to show their work in a gallery like setting with an educational and festival atmosphere. Lowell Vann, working with Gary Gerlach, then the Executive Director of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, led the group in producing the annual art show at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. In the following years, with a few exceptions, the show has been held at that location. Over the years the format of the show changed somewhat, but it continued to be the outstanding event of the ALABAMA DESIGNER CRAFTSMEN year. With a steadily growing membership and additions of various craft media, the exhibiting artists were always searching for ways to help the people of Alabama appreciate the fine crafts, both traditional and contemporary.
In 2023, after careful consideration and extensive discussion, the members voted unanimously to change the name of the organization to THE ALABAMA CRAFT GUILD. The name change provides several advantages:
· We modernize the language in our name while streamlining it as well.
· We clear up any confusion about who we are and what we do.
· We will attract artisans who are looking for guild membership and the benefits that come with it.
· We will attract patrons who value the quality of work associated with guilds and are willing to pay for work that reflects that quality.
· We bring ourselves into alignment with similar associations in the region by identifying as a guild.
· We open the possibility of developing reciprocal agreements with other state guilds.
As we celebrate over 50 years of fine craft, we are looking to revitalize and expand our role as Alabama’s oldest craft guild, preserving and promoting the rich heritage of traditional and fine craft in Alabama.