Craft in Focus Festival hopes to shine a light on many dying crafts, by providing a space to share and for attendees to teach and enjoy their work with others.
Wendy van Wilgenburg, a Dutch woman had many aspirations growing up as an apprentice. She fell in love with the way a violin not only sounded, but how it was made. She appreciated the love for this dying craft. Her love and will for craftsmanship led her to create the Craft In Focus Festival in Amsterdam. She became successful bringing it to life in Amsterdam. After a couple of years, she finally was able to bring it out west to Brooklyn, New York.
Being a mother, she understands the importance of keeping craftsmanship alive and wants generations to come to not forget how things were made.
“Children are swiping their smart phones, they build things in Minecraft, but no longer with their own hands,” Wilgenburg said. “They do not see craftsman anymore, because the studios had relocated in cheaper parts of the cities, outside of the residential areas and they were replaced by Nutella shops and ice cream vendors.”
The first annual Brooklyn Craft in Focus Festival welcomes the most unique craftsman and supporters in the heart of NYC.
Friday night was the launch party that gave a little glimpse of what the weekend was like.
There were special performances by Shahzad Ismaily and Jennie Lena, who was featured on The Voice of Holland.
Guests mingled with speciality cocktails provided Maker’s Mark and sponsorship by Blue Moon.
One of the highlights of the night was the Star Wars origami workshop led by the maker and author himself, Chris Alexander. Many people were able to enjoy the night to jams in Industry City, Brooklyn where the festival was held.
Be sure to come out next year for the second annual Craft in Focus Festival.
Photo Credit: Bram Kloos
