For 10 years, Artisans Centre Peterborough has been a hub for heritage skills in Peterborough, Ont.
Home to ACP Woodturners, Peterborough Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild and The Kawartha Gourders Group, the centre, located in the lower level of the Peterborough Square, is a busy spot.
“We are an artist-run centre. We teach classes, but we are also a space for people to practice their craft, work on projects and have their equipment here,” said administration and operations coordinator, Julia Szabo.
She added heritage skills are those with a nod to the past — think fibre arts, like needle felting, and weaving on a traditional loom.
Gillian Holden, president of Peterborough Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild, said interest in fibre arts is growing, with people looking to get back to basics. She said membership at the Spinners’ Guild has increased 75 per cent this year.
“I think it’s the post pandemic, post anything major it seems people like to go back to that comfort. Making your own, learning something new and the community.”
She said the centre is a place to not only create art, but also partnerships.
“You can drop in here anytime and there will be a number of people working on projects,” she said.
Szabo said this year, the centre didn’t receive the funding that they typically do from the City of Peterborough, so they are hoping to increase membership and attract more people to classes and workshops.
“Our classes continue throughout the year,” said Szabo, noting they have everything from Introductory Bookbinding to Turning a Peppermill offered through the centre.
She said there are also opportunities to see other work (made by the pros).
“We have our annual spring artisan show and sale, Artisanity, on April 28th and 29th, we have the fibre arts festival on May 13th, and we have an open call for submissions for an art show with the theme of Fire and Water,” said Szabo.
“Any artist can submit a piece and we will come together for a show and at the end their will be an announcement for a juried prize and a people’s choice award,” she said.
“We want to be a welcome space for people to come in and try new things and also a space to build community between people who practice these crafts and people who are just learning.”
If you would like to become a member or are looking to register for a class or workshop, you can visit the Artisans Centre Peterborough website.