6 Nov 2018

More than 40 skilled craftspeople will be demonstrating how they’re keeping old traditions alive at this weekend's inaugural Necessary Traditions Festival at the Arts Centre.

Carver Alex Yerks at work.

Carver Alex Yerks, from upstate New York, is among those taking part in the Necessary Traditiions festival.

Shoemakers, ceramacists, carvers, weavers and foragers are among those who will be taking part in the festival, which has been organised by social enterprise Rekindle.

Rekindle founder Juliet Arnott describes the festival as “a new way of celebrating craft that aims to keep these vital traditions alive and in public view.

“Necessary Traditions aims to reinvigorate the way craft is viewed in our society. It will show that craft is necessary for a healthy future, both in terms of our wellbeing and the health of the ecosystems we rely upon,’’ Ms Arnott says.

Arts Centre Chief Executive Philip Aldridge is excited to be hosting the new festival.

“It’s going to be brilliant! This is what the Arts Centre is for – making and celebrating art and craft.’’

Tickets for the Necessary Traditions' Main Event are $28.75 for adults while children’s tickets start at $11.50. Children under five are free.

Tickets and the full festival programme are available on the Necessary Traditions website.