Unlock creativity at Heritage Fest

THIS year’s Ballarat Heritage Festival will see an array of creative events designed to allow attendees to explore and be entertained.

The Great Takeaway will be back for another year allowing attendees to dine among artefacts made by regional creatives and take some home at the end of the meal.

The experience has room for 60 guests who will be seated at Craft Lab in the Mining Exchange and enjoy a three-course meal.

Local ceramicists will supply plates which will be matched with glassware and at the end of the meal, diners take these home.

Each setting of curated cutlery, plates and glassware is worth more than $400.

“It will be something attendees will take home as a tangible reminder of the event they’ve been able to participate in,” said Mayor Cr Des Hudson. “I also like the random selection of people that will be placed on tables.

“You are highly likely to meet someone you have never met before.”

The menu is designed by Peasant Ballarat and will use local produce with European inspiration.

“It’s great in terms of showcasing local produce and the chefs from Peasant do a fantastic job,” said Cr Hudson. “It’s one of my favourite restaurants to go to in Ballarat.”

Craft Lab will also be open for both weekends of Heritage Festival where visitors can meet and talk to fifteen demonstrating artists.

There is also a central display of more than 30 works by ceramicists, jewellers, leatherworkers and basket makers, shoemakers, glassblowers, quilters, weavers and doll artists.

“It’s about showcasing those forgotten trades that were once really prevalent in and around Ballarat,” said Cr Hudson.

“Those rare trades, those skills we’ve probably forgotten about, it’s great for people to be up close with those artisans.”

On Sunday 25 May, Ballarat will host the UNESCO Creative Cities subnetwork meeting at the Centre for Rare Trades and Forgotten Trades.

More than 30 representatives of 64 Creative Cities are expected to attend the meeting which will look at the interaction between education and culture for a sustainable future.

Cr Hudson said it is an honour to host the meeting.

“The subnetwork meeting offers a great opportunity for us to showcase to other creatives how amazing our city is during the iconic Ballarat Heritage Festival,” he said.

Ballarat Heritage Festival is on from Friday 17 May until Sunday 26 May. The full program can be found on the Ballarat Heritage Festival website.