crafts & artisans

WHAT IS CRAFT LAB?

Craft Lab is a sector development program which highlights the artisanal work of Ballarat practitioners. This program identifies talented makers, artisans and artists - those working with traditional skills and knowledge - who are developing new and compelling contemporary works. Candidates are selected every year to hone their knowledge, refine their practice and promote their craft. You can meet the practitioners for 2025.

Working in conjunction with Craft Victoria and the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades, Craft Lab is a successful launch pad for practitioners. The selected practitioners are provided with intensive career advice and portfolio reviews. They are supplied with professional photography and brokerage support. And they participate in the Craft Lab demonstration and exhibition as part of the award-winning Ballarat Heritage Festival in May.

This program is part of the City of Ballarat’s UNESCO Creative City designation as a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art.

the great takeaway

The Great Takeaway is a chance for visitors to dine amongst some of the finest materials, textiles, glassware and ceramics produced in the Ballarat region – and then be able to take the handcrafted dining setting home with them.

A ticketed event, the Great Takeaway is an exclusively tailored dinner for up to 60 guests who will be seated in the exhibition display of Craft Lab in the heritage venue of the Ballarat Mining Exchange to enjoy a three-course meal with drinks and entertainment.

The six tables will be individually dressed by commissioned high-profile local ceramicists, each supplying a handcrafted main and side plate.

Diners will be seated at random at the dining tables, allocated a specific curated cutlery, plates and glassware set for the evening valued at more than $400 per setting.

tickets go on sale soon