Basketry and Beyond Festival 2013; FESTIVAL WEEKEND 17 – 19 MAY 2013

The Basketry and Beyond Festival, May 2013 will celebrate all aspects of basketry with a focus on the themes of Fishing, Farming and Fashion and. It will be held in the inspiring setting of Dartington Estate in South Devon.

The Basketry and Beyond festival weekend and supporting events will provide plenty of opportunities to be inspired and get active with the craft of basketry.

Festival Weekend

The Festival opening times: Friday 17 May 2013 2pm – 5pm Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 2013 10am – 5pm click here for ticket booking

Spend the weekend discovering the art and the craft of basketry and the many, many varied ways to make a basket and the uses of basketry techniques; from housing bees to catching crabs.

Highlights include demonstrations of the craft by international craftspeople, a seminar session to discuss basketmaking in contemporary practice, a basket, craft and produce market, drop in workshops for children and adults and much more.

The full line up is still developing.

Get making

At the heart of the festival are numerous ways to learn about and have a go at making baskets. During the week of the 13 – 17 May 2013 there will be a variety of courses ranging from those suitable for beginners to specialised masterclasses offered by passionate and creative artists and craftsman. Beginners may make a simple round platter basket or work with rush, leaves and bark. For those with some previous skills they can challenge themselves to making baskets in the Perigord style, where the skill of holding a 100 willow rods in one hand is needed.

Bookings are now being taken for the courses. More information here. 

Light Fantastic Wearable Basketry Parade

Make a costume and join the Light Fantastic Wearable Basketry Parade in the medieval courtyard of Dartington Hall in the afternoon of Sunday 19th May.

More information here.

‘FROM BARE STEMS’

Basketry and Beyond are planning an exhibition, ‘FROM BARE STEMS’, focused on the fishing, farming and fashion theme of the festival.

‘FROM BARE STEMS,’ curated by Hilary Burns, will show traditional and contemporary work side by side together with information about materials and techniques. Images showing how baskets have been and in some places still are used in everyday lives will put the work into context. High Cross House is a stunning location for the exhibition that will run from 7 March – 1 June 2013.

More information here.

Book a Stand

We would like to hear from makers who would like to book a space to exhibit and sell work during the festival weekend.

For full details and an application form contact: Angela Sanders 07905 527374

festivals@basketryandbeyond.org.uk

Practicalities

The festival is on the Dartington Estate Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL, United Kingdom

Information about finding Dartington www.dartington.org/visit/directions-and-maps

The Dartington Estate offers a great choice of accommodation from camping to rooms overlooking the 14th Century courtyard. Dartington is located 1 mile from Totnes in the heart of South Devon.

Contact Dartington for special rates for people attending the Basketry and Beyond Festival activities 01803 847147 or email bookings@dartingtonhall.com ;  www.dartington.org/stay

For more information and accommodation choices visit www.totnesinformation.co.uk

Volunteering opportunities

If you would like to get involved we would love to hear from you. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and we are looking for people to volunteer their time during the festival, for example helping our international visitors and tutors; and before the festival e.g. publicity.

 The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation is pleased to be supporting Basketry and Beyond 2013 with a Daiwa Foundation Small Grant.