A group of us are setting up a not for profit Artisan Collective in Robertson in the Southern Highlands.

Its a sleepy town on top of the escarpment between Wollongong and Nowra. Not much goes on besides the traffic passing through. Most businesses are surviving.

The initiative is turning into a great project with tremendous local support, including the local Men’s Shed who are providing invaluable support including very experienced advice. We are converting the Old Potato Shed, a huge old warehouse, into a space where artisans can collaborate, work, exhibit and sell their work. From weavers to print makers; artists to chef’s; ceramacist and even a wood turner (me), it will provide low cost studio and workshop access and an opportunity for the public not only to meet the artisans, but to also get hands on and learn from them.

One thing in our favour is the rich resource of talented artisans. We have a queue of people waiting to move in and we are receiving the backing of some very prominent National artists. Its a very exciting project as the flow on benefits to the community are going to be huge.

We are all volunteers and are reliant on donations. Home Hardware have been awesome as has the owner of the building.

Right now we are in desperate need of around 50m of 3m high 840 pallet racks. The racks will be lined with plywood and set up to create studio spaces for 9 artisans (there will be over 20 when fully completed). It is the last key stage of the project, but we’ve run out of money.

Can anyone help us??

They will only be used for partitioning so they don’t need to be rated (eg old Brownbuilt would be fine).

We are setting up a Sponsor wall of fame. More than happy to put up a plaque recognising your support.

If you have a contact in a warehouse please ask if they have any spare. We’ve heard so many stories of racks going to the recyclers!

Cheers
Phil