When: 9am - 4.30pm, 12th June 2026
Where: Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades, Ballarat
Presenter: Tammy Gilson & Sam Bloomfield
Only 10 spots available
Cost:
- $599 for members
- $699 for non-members
Includes morning tea, lunch and all materials
DATTA Vic are delighted to announce a new partnership project with the Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades.
The Rare Trades Centre was established in 2022 as a place dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of traditional skills, knowledge and practice to ensure the language of ‘making’ in Australia is not lost to history and remains alive and accessible for future generations.
For the first time, we have put together a unique professional learning opportunity for DATTA Vic members.
As well as a behind the scenes tour, participants will get the chance to work with two of Australia's leading makers and learn to work with traditional tools, materials and processes.
Sam Bloomfield is a skilled armourer, blacksmith and metal sculptor. He has a passion for metal sculpting combining traditional and modern techniques.
“In childhood, I started tinkering with tools and materials in my dad’s workshop and the passion never left me. The interest led me to a qualification in Arts and Creativity while informally I did an apprenticeship with a mentor who created the armoury for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Over the last 20 years I’ve worked various TV and film productions. I always make things on a feeling and try to make something as original as possible.”
In the first part of this workshop, you'll learn from Sam to work with metal to create a piece of jewellery with materials and processes little changed from the time of the Vikings, which you will take home with you.
Tammy Gilson is a proud Wadawurrung woman and award-winning weaver. Her work carries on the traditional techniques of both her Wadawurrung and English ancestors while using locally sourced materials with an emphasis on sustainability.
“I love drawing upon my cultural knowledge and looking at our cultural landscape and using the resources from country that I feel really connected to. It means I’m revitalising and really showcasing our culture.”
In the second part of our workshop, participants will learn to wrap, coil and stitch sisal fibre to make unique jewellery with Tammy. This meditative process will offers insight into the cultural knowledge of the Wadawurrung people. At the end of the workshop, you will take home the pieces you made.
Disclaimer
The approaches outlined in this workshop are those of the author and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of DATTA Vic. While all attempts have been made to align the advice and suggestions with VCAA expectations, the support material has not been verified by VCAA. Authors have acted with all available information from VCAA at the time of publication.
Responsibility for any loss resulting from action or refraining from action in response to the material must be accepted by users. Teachers must refer to the mandatory documents in relation to the study from VCAA, available online and updated every year.
