LEAGUE OF NH CRAFTSMEN

To promote the arts in New Hampshire by fostering the creation of handcrafted objects of aesthetic and functional value by providing education and training in the creation of such objects, and expanding the knowledge and enhancing the appreciation of fine craft. The League began in 1932, during the Great Depression, thanks to the work of two individual, Mary Coolidge who summered in Center Sandwich and greatly appreciated the hand work done at Sandwich Home Industries shop and A. Cooper Ballentine who was teaching craft classes in Wolfeboro NH. With encouragement from Royal Bailey Farnum, then director of RISD and Allen Eaton from the Russell Sage Fdn, they worked with a committee and were granted initial state funding from Gov John G. Winant - thus began the League of NH Arts and Crafts. The name was later changed to the League of NH Craftsmen by vote of the membership in 1968. The League affiliates with fine craft galleries throughout NH who are owned independently and all are managed by a License Agreement to DBA - The League of NH Craftsmen. Currently there are seven galleries located in Center Sandwich, Concord, Hanover, Littleton, Meredith, Nashua and North Conway. A new venue will open in early 2015 at the new Hooksett Visitor Center on I-93 featuring a small gallery and craft demonstrations for travelers and local commuters. The League's headquarters is in downtown Concord, NH on 49 South Main Street and features a beautiful exhibition Gallery which displays four unique shows annually, the Grodin Permanent Collection Museum of work from the late 1800's to present day craft, currently has over 370 lots and rotates it displays of fine craft quarterly, The Craft Center education program runs classes, demonstrations and seminars all year and offer levels for children, beginners through master level craftsmen. The headquarters also provide the Kira Fournier Library Resource Center with over 1700 books and periodicals as well as an archive of historical materials. The League is known for its high standards of acceptance and commitment to the "spirit of maker" in each piece, which is the trademark of the organization.