Bridgetown Art and Craft Centre 55 years on

To celebrate its 55th year milestone, the Bridgetown Arts and Craft Centre will be holding two ‘open days’ over the June long weekend on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th June from 10am to 2pm.

All are welcome to come and have a cuppa and a chat and look at the display of members’ crafts throughout the years.

Over that time Bridgetown Art and Craft Centre (BACC), has been able to survive and renew its purpose in the town.

The building, which once was a fruit and vegetable shop, was gifted to the Art and Craft Group in 1966. The members at the time thought it prudent to put the title in the Shire’s name for safe keeping.

Later additions down one side included a storage room and inside toilet.

Over the years the arts and crafts that were favoured have changed and so the changes have also happened in the Centre.

The group had the Title Deed transferred back to the BACC in 2004, which of course increased the cost for the members to maintain the building, but they have certainty of ownership.

Some of people you may meet on the open days give a little insight into the club.

Pat Strahan has been a member of the Art and Craft Centre since first coming to Bridgetown in 1992. Pat reflects on her time at the club. “Joining the Art and Craft Centre when I first came to town was the best introduction into the community I could have had.

“The Art and Craft Centre was a lot different then, pottery, weaving and art were the main interests, china painting was on the wane but there were art lessons in painting.

“My interest was spinning wool and knitting jumpers and socks, there really is nothing better than wearing hand knitted socks.

“We were also doing solar dying of wool using onion skins, avocado pith, blackberries, lavender, eucalyptus leaves it was a matter of experimenting.

“Its not only getting to know a wide range of people with the same interests as me, and it’s a lot more than doing your craft and passing on your knowledge to others or learning new technics on your craft, it’s the other moments as well.

“Like when another member has come across a recipe you really have to try, other members pass on their excess fruit and vegies they grown, or that inside knowledge you need when employing tradesperson.

“During my time in the Art and Craft Centre I’ve had roles as treasurer and president and I often changed roles, as you do when involved in a small club.

“What has kept the Centre going for so long has been the drive of members over that time, there is always a need for companionship with your craft.”

Bronwyn Mitchell has been a member of the Art and Craft Centre since 1983 and truly believes the Art and Craft Centre is a vital part of the community. She goes on to explain, “I’ve always found the Art and Craft Centre to be a social group, and through the years it has remained so.

“The Centre often receives items from ladies who no longer do their craft or from deceased estates. We have knitting yarn and needles, crochet cottons and hooks, material, lace and books.

“The Art and Craft Centre will donate these materials to any members of a charitable group in town that use these items for a charitable cause.

“The main project the club has under way at the moment is knitting caps for prem-babies.

“I like to spin wool and then knit the yarn into jumpers. Along with other members who are making items, we have these items for sale with the proceeds going towards maintaining the Centre.

“Over the years our members’ interest have changed, the Centre’s facilities and building continue to be modernized, the thing that hasn’t changed is that the Art and Craft Centre is still very welcoming.”

Karla Paget became a member in 2012 and she relates her story. “The ladies were ever so welcoming and I immediately felt at home.

“By 2013 I was asked if I would like to do the Secretary’s role. Ever since then I have been elected to the role.

“The members are a fun group who share ideas, patterns, their experience and expertise in a variety of crafts and life skills.

“The members enthusiastically support the many ventures that are proposed, yarn bombing, poppy making, boomerang bags, prem-babies caps as well as welcoming our visitors from Manjimup, Boyup Brook and Nannup and the staffing the street stalls where we sell many of the goods we’ve made.

“Days at the Craft Centre are always fun filled with laughter, stories and sharing.”

The Bridgetown Art and Craft Centre is a small group of like-minded women who have, in more ways than one, contributed to the well-being and balance which makes Bridgetown such a nice place to live.