Over the past several years, many people have spent time getting in touch with their creative side. As a result, an exploration, and revival, of craft—think pottery, woodworking and painting—has led to a renewed interest in arts educational programs. Several highly acclaimed schools across the country offer dynamic workshops and degrees, allowing students to spend years honing in on a specialized area of study or simply attend classes to become better acquainted with a new interest. Who better to weigh in on the merits of a formal education than three celebrated alums: glass artist Dale Chihuly on Haystack Mountain School of Crafts; industrial designer Jay Sae Jung Oh on Cranbrook Academy of Art; and glass artist and painter Corey Pemberton on Penland School of Craft. Their success stories not only bolster the legacies of these unique institutions but serve as inspiration for the next generation of makers.
