Two years of reviving rare arts, forgotten trades

AN open day will be held at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades to mark its second anniversary this month.

Kicking off with spoken word event Pecha Kucha on Friday 15 November, the centre will then open with free entry on Saturday 16 November.

Attendees can explore the venue, see live demonstrations and meet staff to discuss the centre’s achievements and offerings.

“What people can expect to see is workshops in action and they can get a feel for the incredible facilities that we have,” said general manager, Erin Santamaria.

“They can meet some of the team and we’ll have some hospitality on offer as well.”

Throughout the last two years, the Rare Trades Centre has held 185 workshops led by 68 artisans, welcomed nearly 1300 participants and provided more than 1600 hours of hands-on learning.

The centre has five areas dedicated to woodwork, metalwork, fashion and textiles, decorative arts, and leatherwork.

“We’re here to pass on skills and knowledge that is endangered to being lost,” said Ms Santamaria.

“The skills and the knowledge quickly disappear when the people who do that work day-in and day-out do.

“It’s great that Sovereign Hill in their bold leadership is recognising that it’s not just objects that are important parts of our national heritage, but also the skills and the knowledge and the practices.”

In the future, Ms Santamaria said centre staff hope to expand into more workshops for young people, and intermediate and advanced classes.

Founders of Bendigo’s Lost Trades Fair, Glen Rundell and Lisa Rundell are the centre’s patrons and were key to the establishment of the facility.

To view the full program, visit the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades website. The centre is on Bradshaw Street, Golden Point, Ballarat.