The keepers of traditional and lost trades from local areas and far flung corners of the world will gather at Hanging Rock to showcase the finest levels of human craftmanship.
The Lost Trades Fair is back this year in the region where it began, on March 28 and 29. It is a celebration of skill, knowledge, craftsmanship and human talent from more than 150 artisans.
From the UK there will be artisans specialising in iconography, gold leaf, book illumination, sacred geometry and scissor making.
From the US there is a silhouette cutter, woodturner, tintype photographers and chairmakers. And from Sweden a craftswoman, woodcarver, heddle maker and textile artisan.
Master woodturner Ashley Harwood will fly in from Charleston, South Carolina, to join 150+ artisans at Lost Trades Fair.
Ashley will be demonstrating the skills and techniques she is renowned for, from large-scale bowls to the most delicate spindle work in her famous sea urchin ornaments.
She will be at Lost Trades demonstrating on the lathe throughout the entire weekend and will also be presenting as part of the Artisan Insights talks on the main stage at the fair.
For those who would like a whole day learning about woodturning, Ashley will be running an exclusive one-day seminar at the workshop of chairmaker Glen Rundell in Tylden on Saturday April 4.
And then there are the local specialists. Take, for instance, Kyneton Drystone Wallers. They are internationally renowned for their ability to build stone walls with no concrete or mortar. That might be deemed counterintuitive in a world built on rigid materials.
But this centuries-old trade is better; where concrete resists movement, until it fails, dry stone walls accept it and becomes stronger when the ground moves, tightening instead of cracking.
Stone rests on stone, guided by gravity, friction and careful human judgment. And when they’re built properly, they last for centuries, withstanding floods and fires.
DEMONSTRATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
The ethos behind the fair is discovery; introducing you to the talented makers in this country, and beyond, who are pursuing careers in lost arts, rare trades and forgotten crafts. Artisans at the fair will be demonstrating and sharing their trades skills throughout each day.
Get up close and see demonstrations from bootmakers, bookbinders and leatherworkers. See glass melted, fly fishing rods cast, whips cracked, candles dipped, knives made, denim jeans constructed, clocks assembled, and so much more.
Furthermore, staged presentations and workshops mean you will be able to see all aspects of these trades up close; learn what drives the people behind these unique crafts, see their materials, techniques and challenges, or, have a go at trying it out for yourself.
Tickets give access to parking and full entry to Hanging Rock, so there is time to climb the rock, explore, watch live demonstrations, have a go at many of the trades or just bring a picnic, relax and take in all that the weekend offers. They are available online right now, until sold out.
For all the details, head to losttradesfair.com.au and follow the workshop page links to find dozens if workshops happening after Lost Trades Fair with visiting artisans.
