History of the Craft Shop

On November 3rd, 1971, the Idaho State University Craft Shop emerged as a thriving hub for creativity and community engagement. With the enthusiastic backing from Earl Pond and other student union departmental directors, this establishment opened its doors seven days a week, catering to students, faculty, staff, and the wider community.

Under the directing leadership of Dave Mills, the Craft Shop embarked on its journey, a role he held for around six years. Following Mills, Margo Proksa took the reins for another six years, until 1984 when Phyllis Anderson assumed the position of director. In 1998, Phyllis retired, making way for Phil Jenkins, who carried the torch until 2010. Then, in 2012, Mary Miller assumed the role, and the most recent director, Alesha Kelley, began her tenure in August 2022.

Over the years, the Craft Shop has gained recognition as a university outreach program, notably by hosting an NCCA conference on craft center roles, a regional ACUI conference, and a Western States conference on Art Materials and Health Hazards, with support from grants, including those from the Idaho Commission of the Arts. During the 1980s, it helped in supporting Vacation College within the Continuing Education Outreach Program and contributed to the Special Olympics.

Today, the Craft Shop remains active, offering workshops and demonstrations by diverse artists and artisans, catering to requests from ISU departments, student organizations, schools, churches, and social groups, thereby ensuring its continued success. Notably, it stands as one of the few craft centers still thriving in the United States.