The Arden Club has long been the cultural hub for the Ardens and surrounding areas, offering vibrant programming in music, theater, literature, and more. However, until now, one essential aspect of culture—visual arts—was missing. Considering the Ardens were founded on the principles of William Morris’s Arts and Crafts Movement, this omission was a glaring oversight. That changes now.

We are thrilled to announce the formation of The Arts & Crafts Gild! Whether your passion is woodworking, photography, plein air painting, needlework, or simply enjoying gallery and museum visits, this new gild will provide a space to explore, learn, and create. The Arts & Crafts Gild aims to foster cultural conversations and build on the sense of community and creativity that the Arden Club is known for.

Our vision includes offering a variety of educational and recreational programs, from hands-on workshops and guest speakers to field trips and creative community projects. Whether you’re honing a skill, trying something new, or sharing a craft you learned at your grandmother’s knee, there will be something for everyone. Together, we can celebrate the visual arts and crafts as a vital part of the cultural fabric of the Ardens.

But to make this dream a reality, we need you! Join us for the launch celebration of this exciting new gild:

When: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 7:00–9:00 PM
Where: Lower Gild Hall

At the celebration, we’ll brainstorm ideas for programming, explore how the gild can serve the community, and discuss how you can get involved. Whether you’re an artist, craftsperson, or simply an admirer of the arts, we welcome your input and enthusiasm.

The Arts & Crafts Gild is being led by Megan King, Jeanne Orr, and Jill Althouse-Wood, and we are looking for others to join the leadership team. If you’re interested in helping shape this exciting new chapter for the Arden Club, we’d love to hear from you!

We can’t wait to see what we’ll create together—see you there!