Craft Alliance is Facing a BoyCott After Canceling A Pro-Palestinian Exhibition

The boycott of Craft Alliance in St. Louis, Missouri is centered around the abrupt cancellation of ‘Planting Seeds, Sprouting Hope’ a Palestinian solidarity themed Artist in Residence exhibition on June 24, 2024, due to accusations of anti-semitism against pro-Palestine symbols and phrases. Along with the cancellation of ‘Planting Seeds, Sprouting Hope’ artist Dani Collette and Allora McCullough were fired from their positions at Craft Alliance along with their residencies terminated without prior notice. 

The petition calls for community members to read and sign an open letter, highlighting the censorship of free speech by Craft Alliance. It details how on June 26, the Executive Director, Bryan Knicely, refused and “rejected a planned meeting with the artists and their mediators and has been unresponsive to follow-up requests for accountability.” 

Within the Open Letter to Craft Alliance in partnership with the Saint Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee demands are : 

The immediate resignation of Executive Director Bryan Knicely and Board Chair Jackie Levin

A public forum hosted by Craft Alliance to offer transparency to its community members about its leadership’s actions and to listen to its community’s concerns,

A public written apology to the artists and a retraction of the accusatory statement, and 

Adequate severance to the artists for their termination and loss of employment.

Despite condemnation, Craft Alliance has not taken public accountability. The artist have planned a relocation of their exhibition to Fifteen Windows Gallery opening on July 13, 2024.