Experts to provide insights about lost trades

TWO experts will be at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades next month sharing insights about their craft.

On Saturday 9 November, embroiderer Alison Cole will talk about her internationally recognised practice while shipwright and sailmaker Rick Mitchell will share information about traditional maritime crafts.

Both experts will also discuss related objects which are part of the Australian Centre for Goldrush Collections.

“These small group artisan insight talks are really special because we get to take people behind the scenes and see some of the pieces that are held in the collection,” said Cole.

“When you go to a museum and something is behind glass, yes thousands of people can see it, but when something is in storage, you can’t take thousands of people past it.

“It’s really exciting to be able to unpack some of the treasures that are not on display.”

Cole specialises in goldwork and stumpwork, and has won awards around the world including the Florence Monod Award for Excellence at the Royal Melbourne Show and the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria Ethel Oates Scholarship.

Cole said she does not see embroidery as a dying art, but she hopes to continue to pass on her skills to future generations.

“I don’t think embroidery will ever be lost… if it was a dying art I couldn’t make a living from it,” she said.

“It is something that not everybody is familiar with so if it is something that piques their curiosity it is a good thing to come along to the Rare Trades Centre.”

More information about the Artisan Insights sessions can be found on the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades website.