Artisans Row

Artisans’ Row is a collection of workshop areas where artisans & scholars can demonstrate, share, and teach their particular skills & knowledge.  We have a “lecture tent” available for traditional 1-hour lecture-type classes requiring electricity and projection; however, most of our instructors offer hands-on workshops or live demonstration class of any needed length. Artisans’ Row also offers multi-step classes, open workshops, and even one-on-one tutoring-type sessions as follow-ups to other classes, or for artisans to share the techniques and projects they are working on with the populace.

We invite everyone to come by and see what’s happening any day – visitors, observers, and questions are always welcome!

– a living document that will continue to change until the start of the War.  After that, please use the Gulf Wars App or stop by Artisans Row for updates.

TYPICAL AREAS WITHIN THE ROW:

AR Culinary – Culinary Arts, Brewing, Herbal and Botanical studies.

AR Glass – Lampwork (glass beads and more.)

AR Lecture – General ‘lecture’ topics, meetings, and other classes.

AR Metals – Metalwork, wirework, enameling, jewelry, repoussé.

AR Natural Sciences – Leatherwork, architecture, geometry, and STUFF!

AR Spin/Weave – Spinning, weaving, knitting, nålebending, textiles construction.

AR Textiles Fine – Needlework, lace, textiles decoration, and clothing construction.

AR Textiles Wet – Dyeing, basket weaving, fleece/fiber preparation, pysanka, and more.

AR Wood – Carving, joining, tools, and more.

SPECIAL AREAS THIS YEAR:

AR Workshop – Demonstration and one-on-one hands-on workshop area.  Open to walk-ins, and those needing help with projects.  Every day will be different!   Typical activities include woodworking and carving projects, small kiln projects, and metal cold work.

AR-Substrate – The SCA Parchment Project is returning to Gulf Wars, and bringing other substrates (such as paper and papyrus with it!  Learn how to turn deer hides into parchment for scrolls, and take some home with you!

NOTE that OTHER locations on site have THESE codes:

AM = Al-Mahala;

EPL = Early Period Life;

PA = Performing Arts;

EQ = Equestrian,

RV = Renaissance Village

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROJECTS

Journeyman Program: Interest Meetings Sunday 2pm / Monday 11:30am. Volunteer and work on projects in a single area for the entire week. To sign up, contact artisansrow@gulfwars.org or come to the Journeyman Interest meeting.

Artisans’ Row Meet & Greet Social: Tuesday, 8pm. All Scholars, Artists, Crafters, and Patrons of the Arts are welcome.  Come out to catch up on the cross-kingdom news!   Bring your latest project, research, or artifacts/museum photos to share.  Cooking and brewing experiments are welcome, too. Contact artisansrow@gulfwars.org for details. CANCELLED

Kindling for Gold: This is for kids & youth ONLY. Artisans Row will pay a gold coin for an armload of dry kindling gathered onsite, to help keep our fires going. (Some merchants consider these coins extra-valuable.)  See signs for details.

Secret Squirrel Awards: Best on-site camp build.  Kitchen, tiny house, etc.  Nominations accepted at AR Info desk from 9am Monday to 5pm Wednesday.

On-site Project Display: Saturday 9am. This is open to ALL artisans, not just Journeymen.  Display any project you started during the war. Don’t worry if it is not complete – your journey is the most important aspect of your piece.  We encourage everyone to stop by and see what our artisans can accomplish in a week!

Artisans Row Planning Meeting: Friday 12:30-1:30pm, Meeting for anyone interested in planning for next year.  Join us then, or join the Artisans Row Gulf Wars on Facebook.

FAQ

I’m not an Artisan – can I just attend a class?
Yes! If you are interested in a particular craft or art, the Artisans’ Row format affords you the opportunity to actually spend time watching, and learning hands-on from someone who has done the research and is putting that research into practice. You can also simply drop by and see what’s happening. Our artisans love to provide you the opportunity to use their tools and equipment to learn how to make something, as they would have done it in the Middle Ages. (A small fee or safety class may be involved in order to participate.)

I am an artisan/performer/scholar – why should I participate?
To foster your art/scholarship! If you are an artisan/performer/scholar, the Row gives you the opportunity to share your research and put it into practice for an audience who appreciates your hard work, and wants to learn from it. Artisans’ Row is also a great place for artisans and those interested in the arts to network, share ideas and collaborate on joint projects. Guilds: Artisans’ Row is an excellent opportunity for you to show your craft, inform the public, and recruit new members!

Teaching a Class:  We are always looking for teachers! If you would like to teach a class, hold a workshop, conduct a demonstration, etc. at Artisans Row, submit your class online or via e-mail to help us schedule your class/activity. If you have any questions, please email artisansrow@gulfwars.org.

What happens on Rainy Days? More classes!  We keep a “Rainy Day” class list, for instructors who normally cannot teach due to other GW conflicts, for short “pocket” or beginner classes, and for repeats of popular classes from earlier in the war.  The best way to find out what Rainy Day classes are being offered is to stop by Artisans Row in the morning.