Guilford Art Center is a non-profit school, shop and gallery established to nurture and support excellence in the arts.  Through classes for adults and children, gallery programs, a shop of contemporary crafts, and special events, the Center fulfills its mission to provide opportunities for the public to participate in the arts.

Founded in 1967 (as the Guiford Handcraft Center), the Center evolved from the first Handcraft Expo, held on the Guilford Green in 1957, in which local artisans displayed and demonstrated their crafts.  Ten years later, the Center was incorporated and, since that time, has become a vital part of the town and the shoreline community and culture.  It serves as the most comprehensive art organization, and includes the largest public exhibition space between New Haven and Old Lyme.

The school annually serves over 2,000 students, from pre-school aged through senior citizens, in four semesters of approximately 350 classes, including ceramics, jewelry, metalsmithing, weaving, glass, drawing and painting, blacksmithing and stone carving.  Tuition assistance is available to help ensure that the Center's programs are accessible for community members of all means.

The Center's gallery presents juried and invitational exhibits of art in all media and is open seven days a week, free of charge.  The Shop, open year-round, features fine, handmade American crafts; an annual highlight is the Artistry Holiday Shopping event, which includes works by more than 300 artisans.  It runs from November - December each year.

Guilford Art Center also sponsors and organizes Craft Expo, a fine arts fair that features works by more than 180 of the country's most distinguised artisans.  It is held on the historic Guilford Green each July and is a much-anticipated annual event for the shoreline community.

Other amenities: dining nearby, gift shop