Savannah Technical College announced the establishment of the Center for Traditional Craft, a new initiative for the College’s Historic Preservation department today. 

“One of the things that sets technical colleges apart is a willingness to offer and sustain programs that meet the needs of our community,” said STC President Dr. Kathy Love. “In Coastal Georgia, where history is valued and historic buildings abound, Savannah Technical College is uniquely positioned to offer this kind of academic program.”

The Center will be organized in three distinct but intertwined components; education, research, and community outreach. “While preparing and educating students for careers in preservation will always be our number one focus, we recognize the value in strengthening our commitment to research and community service through the Center for Traditional Craft,” said Love.

Traditional education through the department’s accredited programs will be supplemented by Continuing Education programs, short course offerings and expanded visiting artisan programs. The tradition of inviting artisans to Savannah to teach the students will continue this semester with Visiting Artisan Amy McAuley, a traditional sash joiner, November 1-8, 2014.

In the spring semester 2015 through the generous support of a private donor, the visiting artisan program will expand to new artist in residence program. A recognized leader in their field, the artist in residence will join the STC faculty for eight-week terms as visiting professors in the fall and spring semester. The artist will not only teach the students, but will also conduct workshops for the general public, as well as participating in a significant preservation project for identified community partners.

Through partnerships with other training schools and historic preservation providers, the College is developing opportunities for student exchanges and visits. A proposed two-week field school may be offered during spring months. These field schools will be coordinated with faculty from participating programs to offer a unique experience for the students. Visiting students will work with Historic Preservation departmental students and faculty on existing projects or can be trained in a customized program. 

Research will involve groups of research associates are recognized experts in their fields from throughout the world. Architects, craft practitioners and educators from throughout the world have agreed to join the research associates, and have been formed into working groups in accordance to their expertise. These working groups are currently compiling articles and case studies pertaining to best practices in traditional craft and conservation throughout the world. These compilations are currently being edited and will be sent out for publication by the end of the school year. In keeping with this vein, the College will host an International Trades Education Symposium in May 2015. 

The College’s community engagement components will expand in January 2016 with the Historic Homeowners Academy. The academy, designed for property owners and residents of historic structures, will introduce members of the community to proper repair techniques of their historic buildings. Topics will include basic plaster and masonry repairs, correct painting and finishing techniques as well as building assessment. In addition to the proper repair techniques, academy participants will be introduced to the administrative aspects of preservation such as how design review processes work and applying for tax credits for rehabilitation.

One of the STC Historic Preservation department’s strongest supporters and the cornerstone of the preservation moment in the region is the Historic Savannah Foundation. Since its inception, Historic Savannah Foundation has been recognized throughout the country as one of the strongest and innovative preservation organizations around.

“Were it not for institutions like Savannah Technical College, I’m afraid the art and artistry of hands-on preservation craftsmanship would be lost,” said President and CEO Historic Savannah Foundation Daniel G. Carey. “Fortunately for this region, Savannah Tech produces a steady stream of educated and talented traditional craftspeople, who can be hired to help take care of our community’s architectural legacy.”

Savannah Technical College also has strong partnerships with multiple local, national and international collaborators including the American Institute of Architects, The United States Green Building Council, Emergent Structures, the Preservation Trades Network and the Association for Preservation Technology to name a few, and we anticipate continuing those relationships. The College is currently working to expand relationships with additional national and international partnerships. 

As the only public hands-on Historic Preservation program in Georgia, Savannah Technical College has led the way in preservation education. The program has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities. For more information visit: www.savannahtech.edu/CenterTraditionalCraft.