Many traditional crafts are now extinct in the UK.

And according to the Red List of Endangered Crafts, there could be other artisan skills which will soon follow, fading from memory as skills are lost over generations.

Fortunately, a Stockport art studio is revitalising lost skills and crafts such as mosaic reconstruction, stone masonry, willow weaving, and more as part of a week-long festival.

GRIT Studios is launching the 'Crafted Futures' week from Monday 24 - Sunday 30 November, which will showcase the heritage crafts that built Stockport, the makers keeping them alive today, and the young people who could carry these skills into the future.

The Crafted Futures week will showcase some of the artisan skills which built Stockport (Image supplied)

Throughout the week there will be hands-on workshops, talks, demonstrations, and a major public mural, all taking place at venues across Stockport including GRIT studios itself (on Canal Street in Stockport), as well as Where the Light Gets In and Runaway Brewery.

"Crafted Futures is about showing that heritage and innovation are not opposites ~ they can coexist beautifully," said John Macaulay, co-founder of GRIT Studios.

"Stockport's past is alive in its architecture, its crafts and its people, and this project is a chance to celebrate that while inspiring a new generation to get involved."

The week is being supported by the National Trust Heritage Skills Team and features an impressive roster of local makers celebrating the crafts that shaped the town.

Workshops throughout the week will showcase trades like willow weaving, ceramics, signwriting, and more (Image supplied)

Among the guest craftspeople are signwriter Damien Whyatt ~ who created signage for Netflix's House of Guinness series ~ and mosaic artist Tracey Cartledge, who helped restore the 200-year-old mosaics inside Manchester Town Hall.

Other specialists involved in the programme include Sophia Baresse (vintage clothing), Tom Longden (ceramics), Martin Lister (metalwork), Peter Haymes (Stockport Council), Chris Polin (luthier), Cherry Chung (willow weaving) and Liam Hopkins (Lazarian).

Another major highlight is the creation of a large-scale heritage-themed mural at the GRIT Stockport site, painted by acclaimed artist Oskar. Visible to thousands of rail users and motorists each day, the mural will act as a bold reminder that Stockport is a place where the past is ever-present ~ and ever-evolving.

Other features include two 'Meet the Makers' events across Stockport, a Stockport Heritage Mapping Handbook; four taster workshops; and a Heritage Open Day spanning both GRIT Studios locations. 

The aim is to revitalise artisan crafts which are at risk of fading away (Image supplied)

Crafted Futures also arrives at a crucial moment. With the number of young people not in education, employment or training continuing to rise, the programme seeks to raise awareness of fulfilling pathways into heritage crafts.

Martin Mitchell from the National Trust Heritage Skills Team said: "Me and my team are really looking forward to running this course and giving young people a hands-on introduction to stone masonry. It's a great opportunity to show just how many exciting pathways there are within heritage crafts, and hopefully inspire the next generation of makers."

All events are free, and places can be booked online. This project has been part funded by UK government. 

For the full schedule and to sign up, visit: https://www.peoplewithgrit.org/crafted-futures

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