Established after Completing the decoration of Atami Stupa in Japan Shri Sudarshan Sahoo come back to Puri and established the Sudarshan Crafts Museum in the year 1977 at Station Road, Puri, Odisha, a coastal town in Eastern India.
For a long time Shri Sahoo, a nontraditional artist, had been practicing the art of traditional sculptures in the medium of stone and wood at his ancestral home in Kumuti Sahi, Puri town. After visiting all over India and abroad with relation to his art he thought of institutionalizing the set up so that a proper workshop, showroom along with facilities for artists will be created so that tourists and dignitaries can see and feel the inheritance and continuous development of traditional sculptures. Art lovers and connoisseurs will have the opportunity to see various forms of sculptures along with the evolution process. Some big projects can be undertaken at this center. Non-traditional pupil having aptitude for art to be encouraged to pursue this field as a profession.
Along with some of his contemporary artists and assistants he started the center in the year 1977 which was a new and unique concept at that time. This center in the past has developed many sculptures from non-traditional families which helped the conservative artistic society to do better work. Side by side, training, residential facilities, a Buddhist temple in Japanese style, library, showroom and workshop were added to facilitate the visitors and artists. For a long time it is exporting the handicrafts to foreign countries and has been recognized by the Government. Art lovers and visitors from all over the world have appreciated this Endeavour.
Established in 1991 with the allotment of land by Government of Odisha with the principle of Gurukul system of learning.
After receiving Padma Shri Award for 1988, Sri Sahoo was requested by the State Leadership to establish an Institution to showcase the living heritage of Odishan Art & Crafts in the capital city of Odisha at Bhubaneswar.
A training and Production Center on the pattern of a Gurukul system where master craftsmen , artists , assistants and students will reside and purse the traditional art and sculpture that include training , skill development of existing artists , production and sale of art objects.
Facilities like workshop, hostel with boarding facility, library, seminar room, tool room, permanent art gallery, and showroom will be created as a full and self-sufficient unit.
Started in the year 1992 with the assistance from the Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Govt. Of India, The training programs are progressing from time to time as well as private training where pupil of all caste, creed and handicapped persons are encouraged to participate. The crafts village provides free boarding and lodging to all the trainee and artists. Now this is training -cum-production center of traditional sculptures of stone, wood and fiber glass, which will add other crafts as and when facilities develop.
Workshop, Art Gallery, Hostel, Tool Room & other facilities are existing with 40 students and craftsmen residing in the house and showcasing the rich heritage of art & crafts.
