Most locals know the old barn behind the Wollombi General Store. Over the years, it’s been used for all sorts of things, but it’s now starting a new chapter.
The space is being transformed into the Artisans Collective, a working hub for local makers and craftspeople from across the valley.
Rather than simply being a place where finished products sit on shelves, the barn will be a place where work actually happens. Painters, textile artists, jewellers, leather workers and other artisans will use the space as studios, creating their work on site, while visitors can see the process up close.
The aim of the collective is to celebrate and support the creative talent already present in the valley. By bringing a group of artisans together in one shared space, the barn becomes both a working studio and a place where visitors can discover locally made work and connect directly with the people behind it.
Workshops will also be held in the barn, giving locals and visitors the chance to learn directly from the artisans themselves.
The Wollombi General Store will support the collective through promotion, events and shared online platforms, helping connect visitors with the artists and their work while allowing the makers to focus on what they do best – creating.
The official opening of the Artisans Collective is planned for the weekend of May 2, though the doors will open earlier as the space gradually comes to life.
The founding Artisans so far include: Bushink Watagan, Chelsey Teale Art, Laguna Leather, Polina Karuso Art, Therapeutic Touch Wollombi, Stovie Creations, Shady Lady and Dried Flower Creations, with more local makers expected to join as the collective grows.
Find the Artisan Collective at The Wollombi General Store.
