Our Guild
The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen, a chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, was organized in 1945 and is the largest chapter in the state organization. Membership is open to anyone wishing to join.
Our purposes are:
- To promote and protect the interests of the craftsman.
- To encourage the study and practice of handcrafts.
- To uphold the best of traditional and contemporary crafts.
- To maintain standards of excellence in design and technique.
Monthly Meetings and Programs
The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen holds monthly general meetings that are open to the public. Meetings take place at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington Street, Reading, PA, on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM—except in June, July, and December, or as otherwise noted.
June and December meetings are typically social gatherings, often held offsite and at varying times. Our November meeting is held in conjunction with the Holiday Festival and takes place on Sunday at 9:00 AM.
Each meeting begins with an engaging program, followed by the Guild’s business meeting. Programs are designed to educate, inspire, and support craftsmen, featuring presenters from both within and outside the Guild. Topics may include demonstrations by newly juried members, discussions on business practices, or visits to local artist studios and other points of interest.
All programs include time for questions, discussion, and a closer look at the materials and visuals presented—offering a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and share ideas within our creative community.
What We Do
The Guild supports a broad range of activities that foster creativity, education, and community engagement. In addition to our monthly meetings, we:
- Host two annual shows: the Spring Craft Show at Renninger’s Farmers Market and the Holiday Fine Art & Craft Festival typically in the Kutztown area
- Produce the award-winning monthly television program “Your Berks Craftsmen” on BCTV
- Jury and present the annual Stanley Seltz Student Awards for Berks County high school seniors
- Offer annual mini-grants to members for educational purposes
- Publish a periodic newsletter featuring Guild news and opportunities
We are also a social organization, hosting events such as a summer picnic and holiday dinner for our members.
All of these efforts are made possible by dedicated volunteers who believe in the Guild’s mission. If you’re interested in becoming part of this dynamic and creative community, we encourage you to join.
For more information, contact us.