Welcome

We are a non-profit organization whose purpose is to nurture, house and sustain the art of enamel by perpetuating, preserving and expanding the use of vitreous enamel as an art form. It accomplishes this by conducting classes and workshops in its studios in Bellevue, Kentucky and by displaying the W.W. Carpenter Enamel Foundation Museum collection, dedicated to works of enamel art  and craft. The collection features works, from historical antique Limoges paintings to a large collection of contemporary works by some of  the finest artists in the field. The museum houses over 1100 pieces of enamel art. . Artists, students, experts, beginners, professional enamelists and others from throughout the region and around the world travel to the foundation  for classes and workshops in an art form that traces its roots back to  the 13th century BC.

About our Founder

Woodrow Carpenter was the owner of Thompson Enamel, the only manufacturer of art enamels in the western hemisphere. He's known for being the first to take the lead out of art enamel and then developing a lead-free product line for use by artists. Besides his ownership of Thompson's, located in Bellevue, Kentucky, he was also the founder of the Ohio Valley Enamel Guild, the Enamelist Society and  the WW Carpenter Enamel Foundation and museum.  

Our Mission

The mission of the Carpenter Enamel Center (CEC) is to offer global public awareness, creative education, technical support, and studio access to everyone, from beginning students and local hobbyists to professional fine artists and educators. We strive to preserve and teach the traditional and modern techniques of decorative enameling by offering diverse hands-on studio workshops and educational outreach programs. The CEC extends professional showcasing and networking opportunities by offering public access and exposure to our world-renowned enamel museum.