early in 1975 glass artist david wright went to marjorie johnson who was executive officer of the craft association of victoria, then operating from first floor rooms in north melbourne, and suggested to her that the old meat market, also in north melbourne, would make a great craft centre. the timing was perfect. the craft association was finding it very difficult in a building without a lift to transport all the equipment they used for their craft promotional events in public places, such as the fitzroy gardens. marjorie was at the time lobbying the victorian ministry for the arts for more suitable premises for the craft association.