Chris Bensley

Lauren Hansen and Franz Nicolay share how community treasures, archival discoveries, and 100 years of craftsmanship came together in the centennial exhibition. Opening Day of "Beauty and Utility: A Century of Sandwich Home Industries at the Sandwich Historical Society "The start of the Home Industries was an inspiration for a number of other organizations. People from other states and other countries came to see what Mary Coolidge was doing and said, 'We want to do something like this. How...

New classroom studios honor SHI’s educational mission and artistic legacy Illustrations by Kate Brewer As part of its 100th anniversary celebration, Sandwich Home Industries is undertaking a major renovation of the lower level of its historic Main Street building, transforming a longtime classroom area into an updated educational space for the community. The renovated lower level will feature dedicated ceramics and printmaking studios, improved work areas, expanded classroom space, a utility...

A Community Gathering to Celebrate the Creative Process Wood-firing is a traditional way of firing pottery using wood as the sole fuel source. Suzanne Weil's kiln is the only wood-firing kiln in the area and an amazing community resource. At this event, local potters explained the process, including Suzanne, Franz Nicolay, Jack Mauch, and others. Part of the year-long celebration for the Sandwich Home Industries centennial, community members absorbed the warmth of the kiln and the good...