WOAD yes, Craft Fair no

Margaret Tabor working on a hook rug for display in the WOAD LESS TRAVELLED exhibition. Photo supplied

THE DECISION to cancel this year’s 40th Tasmanian Craft Fair was made when organisers were advised of new distancing and COVID-19 prevention measures

The TCF website states, ‘We understand this has the biggest impact on our suppliers relying on the work, local charities who usually raise funds through our event, and all of the artisans who will have been working hard to create items to be purchased. Indeed the longer we may wait for answers, the more investments our suppliers and exhibitors would be making.’

The TCF’s marketing sponsor, Effective Naturally will be creating a virtual page for each of the 260 approved 2020 exhibitors. Shoppers will be able to browse online from October 18 and click through to contact details or online stores.

‘We encourage you to do your Christmas shopping to help support our artisans. Most of them are sole traders or family businesses and have been hit hard through this year’, said Rob van der Elst, Craft Fair Director.

Tickets already purchased online will be refunded automatically. Exhibitors will also receive refunds.

Arts Deloraine is still holding the WOAD and THE WOAD LESS TRAVELLED exhibitions from 29 October to 5 November, supporting artists, businesses, shops and the community.

By 29 October, Emu Bay Road will transform into one long art gallery where artists’ paintings and objects will be exhibited in many windows.

The WOAD HUB at Deloraine Creative Studios Gallery will be surrounded by the creative works of Meander Valley artisans as part of THE WOAD LESS TRAVELLED.

Artwork in both exhibitions will be for sale, with Arts Deloraine able to take credit card payments

Arts Deloraine would like to acknowledge Deloraine Rotary and the Director of the Craft Fair for the enormous effort and energy put into the Craft Fair, and respect how hard it was to cancel the Fair this year.

The Craft Fair inspired the beginning and ongoing planning for WOAD. Arts Deloraine and WOAD will continue to support all artists and artisans in the future.

For information, please contact Annie Robinson on 0419 134 946. Email artsdeloraine@ gmail.com or birdwing@activ8. net.au.