The roots of formal craft training on PEI go back to the 1960's when the Handcraft Training Centre was created. While various locations were used to teach courses and hold extension programs the main location was in a former provincial health laboratory located at 188 Prince St. in Charlottetown. 
Barry Jeeves came to PEI in 1971 from Banff, Alberta to teach the pottery program at the Handcraft Training Centre.
L>R Daphne Large, an extension pottery instructor and Eileen Brophy, a pottery student in the pottery studio of the Handcraft Training Centre.
Ann Morrison, a leather student at work in the leather studio of the Handcraft Training Centre.Eventually the building of a new building in the early 1970's led to the relocation of the Centre to Burns Ave. in West Royalty. The operation became part of Holland College and was renamed the Holland College School of Visual Arts.
