Life Membership Awarded

On Thursday 16th December 2021, a special luncheon was held to honour Joan Krauze with a Life Membership of the Bridgetown Art and Craft Centre. Joan is a founding member of the Centre since incorporation, and was one of the leaders in forming the centre and obtaining its current premises.

Over many years, Joan has been a mentor for other crafters in spinning, weaving, natural dyeing and she was heavily involved with the designing and making of the large tapestry at the entrance of the Shire Offices for the Bicentennial Year Celebration in 1988.

Members of the Craft Centre invited Joan to their final meeting for the 2021 year with a special Christmas spread and they presented a very surprised Joan with a plaque, a beautiful bowl of fresh garden flowers and a hand-crafted rug to honour the occasion.

The rug was made from Alpaca wool, spun and plied by Inica Sibbs, a member who has since passed away but whose craftwork lives on. The wool was then knitted into a lap rug by Bronwyn Mitchell, who joined the club on the same day as Joan. It was fitting gift coming from friends and fellow members of the Art and Craft Centre.

This Life Membership capped off a very productive year for the members despite Covid-19 restrictions and regulations.

The year began with the installation of new kitchen cupboards by willing volunteers. That was followed by a street stall at Easter in the Community Kiosk in the main street. The celebration of The 55th birthday of the Craft Group was celebrated in June by holding a 2-day Open Day on the long weekend in that month. This weekend was well attended by many locals and past members. Even the grandchildren of the original owners of the building returned to reminisce. The Centre was invited to present a display at the local Agricultural Show in November and had held stalls at both the Craft Fair in July and at the Leisure Centre and the Twilight Markets in December.

The creative, crafty members are often suggesting innovative activities and crafts to learn, they are keen to support community craft requests and enjoy displaying their latest creations. Residents or visitors to our town are always welcome to go along, share a cuppa and view the crafts at the Art and Craft Building on the corner of Steere and Barlee Streets in Bridgetown. The general meeting day is on a Thursday from 10.30am to 1pm.