March 21st, 2022CresFest: The story of the festival unfolds
AN INITIATIVE that’s sure to surprise attendees at the inaugural CresFest from Friday, April 1 to Sunday, April 3 is an A2 folded map with the full program on one side and on the other a list of venues and other important information.
The CresFest information map is the work of renowned printmaker and teacher Loris Button, a resident of Creswick. Her lino cuts on the map detail the historical buildings where performances will take place as well as other notable buildings in the streetscape.
The map itself is a remarkable piece of art that Loris has hand drawn with coloured pencil. Loris is a generous artist in so many ways, and says that the success of the combined project relies heavily on the skill of the digital graphic designer Jo Marchese, who has transformed the art piece into a workable map.
“I’ve had great fun developing the map. As a printmaker I am addicted to paper. I marvel at the way natural dyes can affect the colours and I have used a different paper for each heritage building on the map.
“Using a traditional printmaking technique called linocut, I carve into the lino exposing a relief image of each building. The block is then inked using a roller and the image is transferred from the lino to the paper either by hand or with a printing press.
“In the development of the map I worked with our clever and talented CresFest convenor Judy Turner. We’ve looked at the priorities for CresFest as well as making the map an exciting journey for visitors to wend their way through Creswick exploring its hidden gems.”
A walk through Creswick is a journey of European settlement. The historical buildings have much to teach the current generation and demonstrate the richness of the land and the legacy of the gold rush. Buildings that were built to last.
Starting at the bluestone St Andrew’s Uniting Church built in 1862, to the Masonic Lodge which opened in 1890, and will be open for viewings twice over the weekend, past The American Hotel whose history began in 1850 and will be the venue of jam sessions throughout the weekend plus serving great food and beverages.
And before you cross the road to the Town Hall, which celebrates its 145th anniversary this year, stop for a moment and marvel at Leaver’s Hotel. It has been, among other things, a fish and chip shop and a milk bar. and is now an amazing creation of its current owner Chantelle Leaver who, along with her partner Cam, runs Odessa at Leaver’s.
They have transformed an ordinary shopfront to what it is now, with all its original roofing and stone walls. The interior is truly amazing. The intimate space is the perfect environment to listen to great music and eat Thai-inspired food. Now take a slight detour to the Creswick Court House built in 1859, venue for theatre shows and movies over the weekend, and finally to the IGA green which has become a bit of a community hub and will be the venue for the busking events.
Judy is delighted that these buildings will all come alive with music, dance, the written and spoken word. “The aim of CresFest has always been to open up our town to those who have usually driven through. Our community has so much to offer and CresFest will deliver world class performances throughout the weekend. I couldn’t be happier with the map and how Loris has interpreted everything that the committee has asked for even down to a QR code which, once activated, takes the reader to the detailed program online to learn about our amazing performers.” Loris’ unique images will also be available as postcards and a tote bag.
CresFest is ready and a great team of volunteers are eager to welcome everyoe to Creswick. Tickets, performers and full program information at www.cresfest.com.au
Words: Contributed/Advertorial
