IS art a key to sanity in our fast-consumer lives? Bathurst's inaugural Artisan Trades Trail on May 13-14 will celebrate 20 age-old crafts at 10 historic sites that live on in the inland NSW city.
The weekend event will feature re-enactments, exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops as Indigenous elders, bonnet-makers, lace-makers, wood artists and textile-makers showcase their skills. Local sheep-dog trainer Mick will demonstrate his at a "selfie with a kelpie" demonstration.
Bathurst Council's Lucy White believes there's renewed interest in age-old crafts.
"The city has one of the largest numbers of traditional artisans in Australia and this trail is a unique opportunity to see a variety of them at work in beautiful historic locations," she said.
The Artisan Trades Trail will be held every May.
Bathurst is Australia's oldest inland European settlement and boasts some of the best, most well preserved buildings in NSW.
One highlight will be a secret location pop-up dinner in the Bathurst CBD, with the venue to be disclosed to ticket holders closer to the night. The dinner will be themed 'What's Behind The Door' with only 60 tickets to be sold.
Another event is Bonnets over tea at Chifley Home. Bathurst in the 1830s was home to female factories where women were sent to learn domestic trades like sewing, embroidery, butter and cheese-making, lace-making and more.
In honour of this, a group of local women will make 200 traditional bonnets to be exhibited alongside photos of the female factories.
They will be displayed at Chifley Home, the original and untouched cottage where Prime Minister Ben Chifley and his wife Elizabeth once lived. Members of the Country Women's Association will serve morning and afternoon tea, using recipes from the cookbook written by Elizabeth Chifley.
All Artisan Trades Trail properties will be open 10am-4pm over the weekend. Tickets are $10 per person including a map and entry to all 10 venues. A free shuttle bus service (rain, hail, shine) will be available between sites.
Tickets: in person at Bathurst Visitor Information Centre or 1800-681-000.
