November 14th, 2024Rare trades centre to host open day

Ballarat’s Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades is getting set to host an open day this weekend to celebrate its second anniversary.

Launching with spoken word event Pecha Kucha tomorrow, Friday November 15, the centre will then open with free entry this Saturday November 16, offering a prime opportunity to check out the centre.

Those who get along will be able to explore the venue, catch live demonstrations and meet staff to chat about what the centre offers and also hear about its achievements over the past couple of years.

Over 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.

It has five areas dedicated to rare trades spanning fashion and textiles, woodwork, metalwork, decorative arts, and leatherwork.

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

“We’ll have some hospitality on offer as well.”