Artists to share knowledge at Craft Lab

CRAFT Lab is returning this May with the cohort of successful practitioners announced by the City of Ballarat.

For the fifth time, the exhibition and demonstration program will be held as part of Ballarat Heritage Festival showcasing the work of Ballarat creatives.

The free event had more than 6000 visitors over four days last year who took part in experiences and learnt about different practices.

This year 18 practitioners have been selected to share their knowledge with attendees in the areas of textiles, ceramics, sculpture, furniture and millinery.

Anzara Clark is one of the artisans selected who uses paper to create textiles.

Clark said her works promote beauty and sustainability, and encourage people to think differently about paper.

“It’s such an amazing material to work with and that idea that you can take something that we think of as weak and throw away and turn it around and say it’s got real value,” she said.

“It’s a really sustainable product in terms of its production; you’ve got environment sustainability particularly if you’re using handmade papers.”

Craft Lab will provide an opportunity for the broader community to see Clark’s work and she said this exposure is important for artists.

“There’s a lot of people who come through Craft Lab and a lot of people from different walks of life, not just all artists or all fashion people,” she said.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to really expose what can be done with paper.”

Artists involved with the program also take part in professional development days, receive mentoring, and professional photography.

Craft Lab is conducted in conjunction with the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades and Craft Victoria.

It will be held at the Mining Exchange from 10am to 5pm across the weekends of 17 and 18 May, and 26 and 27 May.