Art & Crafts
Create Something New!
Tue – Fri: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sun – Mon: Closed
Call: 609.562.5691
Fax: 609.562.4835
Frame Shop: 609.562.2542
Ceramics Shop: 609.562.5771
Arts & Crafts Center
Our Arts and Crafts Center does more than just crafts! We offer a variety of programs and services including engraving, framing, ceramics shop, classes, birthday parties, and more! Check out more information below to stay on top of what’s next!
2025 Air Force Art & Photo Contest
March 1st – April 30th
The 2025 theme is Winter Wonderland!
Winter is experienced differently by all of us depending upon our location in the world. It also means something different to every person. It is a time to make fond memories with family and loved ones around a fire, or a snow-covered mountain. It could even mean relaxing in a beach chair with palm trees in the distance. As the season changes, we want to encourage participants to capture these memories in print and art. We want you to share your winter experience with the Air Force and military community.
In the 89 days of winter, participants will have a chance to showcase their best winter wonderland themed photo or art piece. This is a time for you to show us your Winter Wonderland!! Come up with your best Winter Wonderland themed photo, painting or drawing. This is your time to shine and to show off your creativity.
What’s New This Year?
This year the Art & Photo Contests will be combined. Category structure and prizes will remain the same. See Official Rules & Eligibility for more details.
Digital art is welcome in both 2D and 3D categories. AI generated imagery will be disqualified.
- Authorized patrons of Air Force Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Programs are eligible to participate in the Air Force Art & Photo Contest (IAW AFI 34-101).
- A legal parent or guardian must submit entries on behalf of authorized Youth Category participants.
- Force Support Squadron (FSS) Commanders, civilian leaders, and FSS marketing personnel may enter the contest, but are NOT eligible to win prizes.
- Participants must meet all eligibility requirements determined in the Official Rules.
- Prizes will be awarded to eligible participants.
- Failure to meet eligibility or submission requirements will render the submission ineligible.
- Participants are limited to submitting entries within their respective age category. Submitting the same artwork or photograph in multiple age categories is prohibited and will result in disqualification.
- Entrants in the Adult Categories must be at least 18 years old at the time of entry.
- Entrants in the Youth Categories must meet the following age requirements.
- Youth Child (Ages 6 to 8)
- Youth Pre-Teen (Ages 9 to 12)
- Youth Teen (Ages 13 to 17)
Category: 2D Art
Two-dimensional art is a drawing, sketch, or painting. Accepted media include oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, mixed media, gouache, egg tempera, pen and ink, charcoal, colored pencil, scratch board, markers, metal point, and digital art.
Adult Novice • Adult Accomplished • Youth Child (Ages 6-8) • Youth Pre-Teen (Ages 9-12) • Youth Teen (Ages 13-17)
Category: 3D Art
Three-dimensional art mediums are such as, sculpture, ceramic, pottery, clay, glass, metals, jewelry, wood, fiber, and textile.
Adult Novice • Adult Accomplished • Youth Child (Ages 6-8) • Youth Pre-Teen (Ages 9-12) • Youth Teen (Ages 13-17)
Category: Photography
The practice of capturing images by exposing light-sensitive film or a digital sensor directly to the scene being photographed. It involves composing a single image in-camera, without significant post-processing or manipulation. Traditional photography aims to depict a scene or subject as faithfully as possible, relying on natural lighting and minimal alterations.
Adult Novice • Adult Accomplished • Youth Child (Ages 6-8) • Youth Pre-Teen (Ages 9-12) • Youth Teen (Ages 13-17)
Adult Novice
For individuals who are new or relatively inexperienced in working with the approved media. This category is ideal for artists developing their skills and who have not yet received formal art training.
Additionally, Adult Novice includes:
- Artists who are self-taught and have primarily learned their medium through personal study or informal practice.
- Participants involved in local or community
Adult Accomplished
For individuals with advanced skills acquired through education, experience, or professional practice. This category is intended for artists with significant experience or professional-level achievements, typically meeting one or more of the following criteria:
- Formal training from an art school, university, or art-based education program.
- Experience selling their artwork through galleries, commissions, or art shows.
- Exhibition history in professional galleries or juried exhibitions.
- Recognition or awards for their artwork from art competitions or exhibitions.
- Teaching, mentoring, or formally guiding others in the arts.
- Membership in recognized professional art associations or societies.
- Completion of paid art projects or commissions, reflecting a professional-level ability
Winners will be notified via email no later than 1 June 2025. Winners must respond via email within five calendar days of notification. If no response is received, an alternate winner will be chosen.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three (3) winners in each sub-category.
- First Place: $500 Amazon Gift card
- Second Place: $400 Amazon Gift Card
- Third Place: $300 Amazon Gift Card
• Winners will receive an Amazon Gift Card presented by their installation Point of Contact (POC) in a method compliant with installation health and safety guidelines. If the winner is under the age of 18, a legal parent or guardian must be present with the youth to accept the prize.
• Winners must possess DoD ID card and have access to the installation selected in their submission.
• Acceptance of the prize grants the AF the right to use the winning submission in its entirety for any publicity, advertising, or promotional purposes without compensation.
• The winner must comply with all terms and conditions set forth in the Official Rules. Winning is contingent upon fulfilling all such requirements.
• No entrant may win more than one prize.
No purchase is necessary to enter or win.
- Visit https://forcesupport.awardsplatform.com from 1 March 2025 at 1200 CST to 30 April 2025 at 1200 CST.
- Register for an account or sign in. • We recommend using a non-government email as they often block awards platform messages.
- Click ‘Start entry’ button.
- Under the ‘Contest & Category’ field, select ‘2025 Art & Photo Contest’.
- Complete all remaining fields under each tab.
- Click ‘Submit entry’ at the bottom of the page once your submission is complete. • You will receive a confirmation email after you submit your entry.
Air Force Services will not accept entries via any other means.
See Full Rules, Eligibility, and Requirements Here
Pottery Paint Birthday Parties & Events
Book your next party with us!
Have your child’s (or your) next birthday party at 87FSS’s Peter L. Hunt Arts & Crafts Center. Enjoy two hours of party room use and one enjoyable ceramic project! Make reservations via phone. However, for the best service, we recommend booking a party in person. Stop in today to book one of our amazing party packages with our pottery department!
Party Animal Package
Great for Ages 4-9
Enjoy a 2-hour party in our newly painted party room! Pick from a variety of our party animals pieces of mermaids, planes, cars, unicorns, dragons, and much more for your party, limited to 6 styles for children to choose from.
$8.25 per painter + $50 rental fee
Maximum of 15 painters per party
Van Gogh Package
Ideal for 10-17
Enjoy a 2-hour party in our newly painted party room! Pick from a variety of our figures, laterns, mugs, bowls, and much more for your party, limited to 6 styles for preteens and teens to choose from.
$50 rental fee + price of pieces + firing fees
Maximum of 20 painters per party.
Michelangelo Package
Fit for Adults
Enjoy a 2-hour party in our newly painted party room! Invite your closest friends or office buddies to have some much needed down time. Pick from a variety of our figures, lanterns, mugs, bowls, and much more for your get-together, limited to 6-10 styles for adults to choose from.
$50 rental fee + price of pieces + firing fees
Maximum of 25 painters per party.
Master Studio Package
Perfect for multiple families, offices, and squadrons
Rent out the whole studio after hours for your whole squadron or office and their families to enjoy. Pick from a variety of our figures to choose from. $
150 per two hour event rental fee + price of pieces + firing fees
Maximum of 70 painters with a minimum of 30 to book event.
Please communicate with us ahead of time to pick out your pieces prior to your event. Feel free to bring your own food and drinks to celebrate. We hope to see you soon!
Pottery Shop
Offering a complete pottery studio and paint-your-own ceramics! Our staff is experienced, qualified, and always on-hand to help you and your family in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Pottery Studio Instructional Classes
We offer a variety of classes covering hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. Glazes and firing are provided for those enrolled.
Adult classes are offered once a quarter in six week increments. This class is usually held outside of regular business hours for anyone to relax and learn a new skill outside of work. We listen to music and exchange ideas and work to make the best possible piece or pieces for you to take home and show off. We focus on both hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques.
School-Age classes are offered on Saturdays every other month in three week increments. We focus on two projects to completiong and primarily work in hand-building techniques. Parents are more than welcome to participate and help form new memories with their children.
Homeschool classes are held three times a year in 8 week increments that end in an art show to showcase all the projects we’ve made. We have three classes available for ages 3-5, 6-9, and 10-17. We build on concepts and discuss a variety of different techniques while having fun!
Paint Your Own Ceramics
Our studio offers a large selection of ceramic bisque items to choose from to paint with glaze. This part of the studio is open whenever the Arts & Crafts Studio is open. Walk-ins are greatly encouraged to explore and create in this space.
No pre-registration necessary unless you have a large group and would like to host an event with us. All pieces are food and dishwasher safe when finished and are usually ready for pick-up within 2-3 weeks.
Open Studio Time
If you have taken one of our pottery instructional classes you are more than welcome to use the equipment and studio whenever the Arts & Crafts Center is in operation. All studio and glazing fees are covered with the price of clay. Walk-ins encouraged, no pre-registration or call necessary! We hope to see you in the studio!
Engraving & Awards
Offering custom laser engraving for:
- Classic wood plaques
- Executive style acrylic desk awards
- Custom cut/sized metal and plastic plates
- Sublimation
- Color imprinted custom plaques
- Take a step up and consider Award Eagles and other Military Statues.
All these items are suitable for acknowledgments, farewells, promotions, personal gifts, Quarterly and Annual Awards, and more!
Order turnaround time is normally 2-3 business days, slightly longer for custom plaques and large orders; Same-day service available for an additional fee.
Frame Shop
Full-service custom framing for all framing needs. We have a framing professional with 30 years of experience, use only state-of-the-art equipment, and offer a great selection of moldings & mats!
- Farewell and recognition presentations
- Rush service for presentations available
- Guidon framing – ask us about Guidon production
- Original or limited edition art
- Preservation framing and museum mounting is our specialty
- Prints, Posters, Photographs
- Certificates, Diplomas
- Canvas stretching
Multi-Crafts
Learn a variety of artistic skills & techniques through our multi-crafts classes and workshops. Our highly qualified instructors offer courses to both children and adults in a fun, friendly and encouraging environment. Many materials are available to provide students the finest learning experience possible.
Media Studio Use
Enjoy open media studio time and use of equipment for a nominal fee during our regular business hours. Media Studio includes: Accu-Cut, Sewing, and Drawing/Painting space included in studio use; additional fee for materials.
Class Registration Information
Advanced registration is required for all classes via phone, email, or in person. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are informed of supply needs at the time of registration or during the first class meeting. Classes are open to all DoD ID holders and their accompanied guests.
Class Cancellation/Refund Information
Class fees are refunded in the event of a class cancellation due to lack of enrollment or other reasons. Students may cancel a class reservation in person or by phone. Participants have 30 days to obtain refunds after notification of a cancellation, with a receipt. Arts & Crafts will honor previous payment for a rescheduled or future classes held in lieu of a refund.
Upcoming Events
Spring in Paris – Eiffel Tower Paint and Sip
Easter Bunny Breakfast & Bowl
Resources
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