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Crafts come to town
By Renu Warnasuriya and Shanika Dias
Where would you go to see exquisite woodcarvings? Galle? Colourful Masks? Ambalangoda? Palm woven goods? Jaffna? Shimmering brass curios? Kandy? Where could you go to see all this in one place? The National Art Gallery. From December 3-7, handicrafts from all corners of the country will be brought to The National Art Gallery as " Crafts 2003", an exhibition organised by the National Crafts Council is held to recognise the skills of local craftsmen.

Colourful displays of masks, hats, bags, batiks, jewellery, mats…. will line the roads outside the Gallery. These sales outlets will display the original work presented by the craftsmen themselves. Entertainment will be provided by way of local cultural shows held in the evenings on the exhibition days. Food and beverages from the provinces too will be available giving visitors the ideal opportunity to treat their tastebuds to something different.

The exhibition is yet another venture by the National Crafts Council (NCC) to provide exposure to local crafts and craftsmen. Crafts that are to be showcased at the exhibition have been selected from provincial level exhibitions, organised by the Provincial Councils together with the NCC. This year all provinces have participated. The exhibition will be held under 28 categories, including brassware, jewellery, batik, woodcarving, lacquer work and so on. Winners of “Crafts 2003" will receive the ‘Viskam Ransilu’ award as well as cash prizes.

The National Crafts Council, established in 1982, works towards the protection and development of traditional crafts and craftsmen. Their projects are carried out through craft societies formed at a provincial level. Provincial officers have been appointed to discover new talent. Once the craftsmen have been registered as members of the council, they are given both moral and financial assistance to further their skills.

Craft workshops and ‘Guru shilpa’ classes are held to introduce new techniques and creations. “Today's craftsmen are developing and are not limited to traditional crafts,” says Nishantha Vijelath, project officer of the National Crafts Council. As children many of us used to press flowers in heavy books to preserve them.

This has now evolved into a recognized art form, where the possibilities seem endless…picture frames, cards, wall hangings etc. The production of paper pulp is yet another new art form. These environmentally friendly products have a big demand in both the local and international markets. Those who wish to participate in “Crafts 2003" can contact Mr.Vijelath on 2784424.

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