Client Profile/Non-Profit Organization

In 1968, Pittsburgh was a city racially divided and economically distressed. Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild was founded by Pittsburgh native Bill Strickland to help combat the economic and social devastation experienced by the residents of his predominantly African-American North Side neighborhood. The Manchester Craftsmen's Guild (MCG) is a multi-discipline, minority directed, center for arts and learning that employs the visual and performing arts to foster a sense of accomplishment and hope in the urban community.

The MCG’s mission is to use the arts to educate and inspire urban youth, to stimulate intercultural understanding, and to enhance the quality of life of its students.
MCG provides a broad spectrum of creative visual arts experiences, serving approximately 3,400 students annually, primarily from the Pittsburgh Public School District with free, year-round programming that includes classes in Ceramics, Photography, Digital Imaging, and Design Art.

The Photography program at MCG was created to address the interests of community members, and because Strickland understood that artists needed good pictures to promote and help sell their work. Positions for working artists within the Photography department would include opportunities to curate, educate, manage the historical archive of photography, develop community programs, as well as photographing general institution events.

Through exhibitions, lectures, workshops and residencies, visiting artists employ the creative process to enhance the quality of life through beauty and purpose; pose meaningful questions and responses related to life's challenges and inspire the quest for community and empathy. This organization is one that I aspire to be a part of someday.