Founded over 37 years ago, the Mansfield Art Center began as a cooperative art gallery. After retiring from teaching art at RHAM High School, Agatha Hoover and her husband, Jerry Redding, transformed the building into an international gift shop with a mission. Together with their daughter Caroline, who often joins them from Mozambique, the family has traveled to over 170 countries, bringing back unique treasures from around the globe. Their passion for art, travel, and fair trade is the foundation of everything we do.

 

About Us

Welcome to the Mansfield Art Center, a one-of-a-kind destination on Route 32 in Mansfield, Connecticut. Our green, yellow, and red building may appear humble from the outside, but step inside, and you’ll be transported into a world of global artistry and craftsmanship. Our shop is a celebration of cultures, stories, and traditions from around the world.

 

Our Mission

At the heart of the Mansfield Art Center is our dedication to supporting artisans and craftsmen from less-developed regions. We focus on fair trade practices, ensuring that the artisans we work with receive a fair price for their creations. Every item in our shop is hand-selected with care and purpose, reflecting a deep appreciation for its maker’s traditions, skills, and stories. By bringing these unique pieces to our community, we aim to help sustain traditional crafts and provide artisans with a means to support their families.

 

A Global Treasure Trove

Our shop features manually imported handcrafted goods from countries such as Ecuador, Indonesia, South Africa, Poland, Brazil, Madagascar, Mexico, Bali, Peru, Guatemala, Nepal, and many more!

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Every item has a story; we’re here to share those stories with you.

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Keeping Traditions Alive

We are deeply committed to preserving the traditional crafts that risk fading away in a modern, machine-made world. When you shop with us, you’re buying a unique piece of art and supporting artisans and their families, ensuring that these time-honored skills are passed down to future generations.

 

A Place for Stories and Connections

At the Mansfield Art Center, shopping is more than a transaction; it’s an experience. Whether you’re browsing our shelves or stopping by to share travel stories, you’ll find a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We’re proud to be a part of our local community and to connect our visitors with the broader global community through art and craft.

 

Thank you for supporting fair trade, global artisans, and the preservation of traditional crafts!