Location: Contemporary Craft on Butler Street in LawrencevilleFeatured guest: Sydney Leslie, archives and creative projects manager3 things that surprised me:1. Sydney showed me a series of scrapbooks that focus on the beginnings of the organization. Contemporary Craft got its start in 1971 when founder Betty Rockwell Raphael opened “The Store” in Verona. Initially, it was a shop that sold crafts by local artists. Soon, though, Betty was selling work from international artists, putting on major exhibitions and holding workshops in the space.2. After 15 years in Verona, Contemporary Craft moved to the Produce Terminal in the Strip District where it stayed for more than three decades. Then, after years of renting, the organization decided it wanted to own its own building. It bought a former trophy factory in Upper Lawrenceville in 2019.3. Contemporary Craft’s archive contains hundreds of objects — many of which were from a 1979 show at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Betty thought it would be interesting to show the same items that were being sold at “The Store” in a museum setting. The public responded and made it one of the most well-attended shows in the museum’s history. In the back archives, Sydney pointed out a 6-foot-long red and white sneaker from that exhibit by artist Michelle Clifton. The shoe also doubles as a sleeping bag.One thing that didn’t make the final cut: Betty was friends with famed sculptor Alexander Calder. After the birth of Betty’s daughter, the artist sent her a duck toy that he had crafted in his workshop.Additional info: You can learn more about upcoming workshops at Contemporary Craft on their website. You can find more information about this year’s Weave-a-thon here.Want more Yinzer Backstage Pass? Check out our visit to the abandoned tower atop the County Courthouse.The post Discover Contemporary Craft’s archives and secrets (including a 6-foot sneaker) appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.