Brookfield Craft Center Has Closed

BROOKFIELD — After 56 years of serving the craft community, Brookfield Craft Center has been unable to overcome the financial challenges of the past several years and has closed. Located on the Still River, near the four corners in Brookfield, the Craft Center has been holding classes in American fine craft from its six-building campus since its founding by Nancy Hagmayer in 1954.

A press release from BCC dated May 11, 2010, said in part: “Brookfield Craft Center … will be suspending operations immediately.”

Richard Herrmann, Executive Director, stated: “The economic downturn has had a severe impact on income from our education and retail programs and availability of state funding and foundation grants. Even with reduced expenses and generous contributions by our Board of Directors and other donors, income has not been sufficient to cover operating costs.”

Bill Markus, president of the board, added, “The Craft Center has outstanding debt to artists, faculty and others. We are looking at all options, including selling our real estate in order to satisfy the mortgages on the property. Any proceeds in excess of the mortgages would be available to pay the remaining creditors.

“We are also making an appeal to the community for tax-deductible contributions of any size to satisfy as many of our liabilities as possible,” he continued. “If we can get back to a clean slate, there may be the possibility of reopening a new, improved Craft Center in the future.”