HCA Spring Conference

Saturday 24 March 2012 
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

'Evolving Craft Communities'

The theme of this year's conference is 'Evolving Craft Communities', the idea being that the survival of traditional craft skills has always relied on adaptation to new social technologies and ways of relating to each other, from the mediaeval apprenticeship system to the way in which online social networking not only enables the continuation of these skills, but influences their future development by allowing people to go back to the essence of what it means to craft.

Speakers

• Professor Richard Sennett is author of the well-received book The Craftsman, and professor at the London School of Economics.

• Lida Kindersley and her husband Graham Beck run the highly successful Cardozo Kindersley Workshop in  Cambridge. Lida was trained by David Kindersley who was himself trained by Eric Gill.
• Ele Carpenter is a curator, artist and researcher working within the field of visual arts and new media culture in the public realm. Her practice involves curating context specific programmes of contemporary art, film and workshops in collaboration with artists, filmmakers, universities, galleries and arts agencies.
• Stuart Mitchell's apprenticeship in the Sheffield cutlery industry was very traditional. He started at the bottom and worked all hours until eventually even his father took pride in the knives that he built. His workshop (at Portland Works), and indeed work ethic, is still steeped in the traditions of Sheffield of old, but things have changed.

Programme:

• 10.15am - Registration in the Lecture Theatre.
• 10.45am - Conference starts. Welcome from Patricia Lovett, Vice-Chair of the HCA.
• 10.55am - Professor Richard Sennett - 'Making and Thinking'.
• 11.55am - Lida Kindersley, lettercutter in stone - 'Learning by Doing'
• 1.00pm - HCA Annual General Meeting - all welcome.
• 2.30pm - Afternoon session begins. Patricia Lovett.
• 2.35pm - Presentation of Marsh Awards for trainer and volunteer in Heritage Crafts
• 3.00pm - Ele Carpenter, 'Open Source Embroidery Project - the embroidered digital commons'
• 3.25pm - Robin Wood, wood turner and Chair of the HCA - 'Bringing Craft out of the Woods'
• 3.50pm - Stuart Mitchell, knifemaker - 'Web Mester'
• 4.15pm - Closing remarks and HCA updates
• 4.30pm - Conference ends

To book

To book your place at this year's conference, please use the Paypal form below (Paypal account not required):

Price options

HCA Friend - early bird (up to 1 March) £25.00 GBP HCA Friend - standard (after 1 March) £30.00 GBP Other - early bird (up to 1 March) £30.00 GBP Other - standard (after 1 March) £35.00 GBP Student £10.00 GBP

Name of delegate

Any access requirements

Alternatively, please send a cheque, made payable to the 'Heritage Crafts Association' (prices below) to:

HCA Administrator
132 The Glade
Old Coulsdon
Surrey
CR5 1SP

Please include a covering note explaining for whom the ticket is intended, contact details and any special access requirements you/they may have.

Instant gallery

Would you be prepared to bring in a craft item you have made to exhibit at the HCA Instant Gallery? If so, please let us know when you book.

Prices:

• HCA Friends - Early bird £25 before 1 March 2012; thereafter £30 (click here to find out how to become a Friend of the HCA)
• Others - Early bird £30 before 1 March 2012; thereafter £35
• Students - £10 (proof of NUS or equivalent required upon entry)