BROOKFIELD — The board of Brookfield Craft Center is announcing that noted artist and teacher Ben Rosecrans has joined the staff of Brookfield Craft Center Inc in the newly created position of artist in residence/education director.

Howard Lasser, the executive director of Brookfield Craft Center (BCC), said Mr Rosecrans will be taking on the responsibility for leading the center’s curriculum development as well as teaching and further developing his own professional skills.

“We are excited to have Ben join the team,” Mr Lasser said. “He is not only an accomplished artist, but has a demonstrated ability to teach and share his passion, inspiring others’ creativity. Ben’s background and experience will enhance our efforts to expand our course offerings, particularly as we implement our technology initiatives in our new Digital Arts Studio, the foundation of our Center for Modern Craftsmanship.”

In accepting the position, Mr Rosecrans, who lives in Sandy Hook with his wife, two children, and two dogs, said he is “excited to join the team at BCC and [looks] forward to the challenges and opportunities to grow the Center’s education programs and outreach.”

Mr Rosecrans was born in Vancouver, Wash., and has gradually made his way across the United States. The majority of his childhood was spent in northern Illinois, just outside Chicago.

Mr Rosecrans attended Northern Illinois University with a BFA in painting. He then attended University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he earned an MFA and an MA in painting.

In addition to these degrees, he holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science with an emphasis on 2D/3D Design and Animation from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla. Mr Rosecrans has spent the past eight years teaching at various colleges and universities throughout the country. He is currently on the faculty at Tunxis Community College in Farmington.

During his time as a professor, he has taught Drawing I & II, 2D Design, 3D Design, Color Theory, Sculpture I & II, Art Appreciation, Intro to Visual Arts, Art History I, and Non-Western Art History.

He actively participates in exhibitions nationally. Mr Rosecrans’s work is currently on display in a solo show at Barnes Franklin Gallery at Tunxis Community College; “spacebag” is on view to December 10.

Additional group and solo exhibition venues have included Site:Brooklyn Gallery in New York, Alfa Gallery in Miami, Five Points Gallery in Torrington, New Britain Museum of Art, Target Gallery in the Torpedo Art Center in Alexandria, Va., and Gallery 19 in Chicago.

The Brookfield Craft Center was founded in 1952 and is recognized as one of the core fine craft schools in America. The center, incorporated in 1954, is a 501(c)(3) organization, offers classes and workshops in glass arts, woodturning, ceramics, jewelry, blacksmithing, fiber arts, drawing and painting, digital arts, and other creative endeavors for children and adults taught by professional faculty.

The historic Mill Building (circa 1780) Gift Shop and Exhibition Gallery is a beautiful venue for displaying fine craft. All works are carefully juried and are representative of the type of skills individuals can learn in our classes.

As a force for arts advocacy and community building, the craft center strives to teach and preserve the skills of fine craftsmanship and to enable creativity and personal growth through craft education.

Located at 286 Whisconier Road (Route 25) in Brookfield, just east of the four corners intersection with Route 202, Brookfield Craft Center is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, noon to 4 pm. Call 203-775-4526 or visit brookfieldcraft.org for additional information.