Traditional
Craft Skills Workshops
Masuma Akther teaching Bangladeshi Quilt Embroidery. Photograph Richard Humphrys.
The Guildhouse Traditional Craft Skills Workshop program provides the opportunity for participants to learn traditional craft skills from a range of cultures.
The workshops bring together culturally and linguistically diverse craftspeople with contemporary creative professionals and local community members to share and pass on new skills.
Since its inception in 2010 the program has been delivered to more than 600 people in 60 communities in metropolitan Adelaide and regional centres in South Australia. There is potential to extend the program to include more craft methods and expand the delivery to more communities in metropolitan Adelaide and regional centres.
The below short film documents the impact the Guildhouse Traditional Craft Skills Workshop Program has made.
We are very proud that the program has been awarded the 2016 Governor’s Multicultural Award for Arts and Culture. The award was presented by His Excellency the Governor The Honourable Hieu Van Le AO at Government House in March 2016.
The ‘slow methods’ characteristic of many traditional craft techniques allow for an exchange of stories and ideas between teachers and participants that has aided settlement and cross-cultural understanding. The workshops create valuable opportunities for community connection and participation that celebrate and value cultural diversity, increasing understanding and acceptance throughout the communities it touches.
The program has proven to be a fulfilling experience for all involved, and demand for this style of workshop is strong. It is successful in extending professional development opportunities for creative practitioners, both workshop leaders and participants.
Masuma Akther and Kay Lawrence work on display as part of The Third Space Exhibition.
How to Participate
The Traditional Craft Skills workshop is a fee for service program. Guildhouse organises and facilitates the delivery of these workshops through local councils, community organisations and other organisations wanting to deliver these programs. Guildhouse can create a customised program to fit the requirements of your organisation.
For more details, costings or to discuss creating a customised program for delivery in your community, please contact us directly.
If you are interested in hearing about upcoming workshops please let us know via guildhouse@guildhouse.org.au and we will add you to the relevant mailing list.
Past Traditional Skills Workshop Programs
Traditional Craft Workshops Program 2020
Image: Masuma Akther with her Bangladeshi quilt embroidery Photograph: Jonathan VDKIn 2020 Guildhouse is delighted to partner with the JamFactory to celebrate 10 years of the Traditional Craft Workshop Program. This program provides opportunities for South Australian...
Traditional Craft Skills Workshop Program 2015
In 2015 Approximately 150 people attended fifteen workshops across City of Unley, Marion City Council, Port Adelaide Enfield and the City of Onkaparinga thanks to funding from the South Australian Government, through Multicultural SA. City of Marion: Bangladeshi Quilt...
Traditional Craft Skills Workshop Program 2014
With the aim of promoting Traditional Craft Skills to Local Government and Country Arts SA Guildhouse developed a workshop package to provide opportunities for members of emerging communities to reconnect with the crafts pertaining to their cultural heritage, and also...
The Third Space: intercultural crafting
The exhibition was an extension of the Traditional Craft Skills workshop program which has assisted craftspeople from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, in particular refugees, to continue with their traditional craft practices once settled in...
Traditional Craft Skills Workshop Program 2012
Molas of ColombiaLady Narvaez PenalozaFull day workshopCraftsouth Nigerian Indigo DyingOluwole Oginni2 x Full day workshopsTextiles Studio, University of South Australia Afghan EmbroideryHorya Yosufi5 week workshopCraftsouth Bangladeshi Quilt EmbroideryMasuma Akther5...
Traditional Craft Skills 2011
Guildhouse’s Traditional Craft Skills workshop program links culturally and linguistically diverse craftspeople from emerging communities (primarily refugees) with South Australian artists and members of the broader community. The program provides opportunities for...
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