Description of the attraction
In the historic center of Tartu, in the Jaani quarter, there is the St. Anthony's courtyard, where the Guild of St. Anthony operates. This is a place where true masters of their craft work, who love arts and crafts. The courtyard includes 3 buildings: a pottery workshop, a craftsmen's house and a guild building.
The Guild of St. Anthony is an organization of professional applied artists, painters and artisans. In written sources, the Guild was first mentioned in 1449 as the Small Guild, or the Guild of St. Anthony, which included urban artisans. The patron saint of the Tartu Small Guild was Saint Anthony, and this association was named after him. Handicrafts were considered the main craft of local residents. Those craftsmen who were not part of the Guild were not allowed to practice their craft and sell their products within the city.
Today, the task of the Guild is to support and develop Estonian arts and crafts. The masters of the Guild of St. Anthony are creative people who love their work, respect traditions and ancient craft skills, the products they make are made with a soul. Craftsmen work in three buildings of St. Anthony's courtyard. The pottery workshop was the first to start its work. This happened three years before the official revival of the Guild, i.e. in 1996. Most of the workshops are located in the craft building. In 1999, carpet, stained glass and patchwork workshops were opened. Further, workshops for working with leather, textiles, porcelain and glass began their activities. In addition to the above, the house of masters houses a furrier, art and design workshops, as well as a workshop for the manufacture of antique costumes, dolls, hats.
Several dozen artists and artisans make various products, including custom-made ones. There is a huge number of interesting and unique products: stained glass windows, designer ceramics, carpets, costumes, hats, handmade dolls, paintings and much more. The courtyard has a special creative and cozy atmosphere. You can watch the work of the masters, ask questions, listen to fascinating stories.
In addition, various events are often held in the courtyard of the Guild, both in summer and in winter. These can be concerts, performances, weddings, gala dinners. Some of the events held have become traditional. So, for example, at the beginning of summer, the Days of St. Anthony's Compound and the Fair of the Small Guild are held here. During this period, the institution turns into the epicenter of various events - a fair, songs, dances, master classes. In the fall of November 2, All Souls Day is celebrated here. On this day, the souls of the living, the living, and those who will still live are waiting for a visit.
The founder of the pottery workshop in 1996 was the glass artist Piret Veski, who graduated from the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR, and the ceramist Kaido Kask. Basically, in this workshop, various mugs, vases, jugs are made. There is a fairly large selection of ready-made products, as well as a service of manufacturing products to order. Orders are very different - from clay buttons to fireplaces and sculptures. Here you can take part in a master class on making ceramic products from baked clay - terracotta. One has only to take into account that the finished product needs a long drying time, so it will be possible to pick it up only after a week.
In the leather workshop you can order magnificent leather goods, photo albums, designer bindings, wallets, bags, belts, bracelets. There are also master classes on making leather jewelry, wallets, frames, medallions, key chains, bracelets.
In the carpet workshop, masters make belts and skirts for folk costumes, weave woolen bedspreads, curtains, and carpets on looms. The work uses natural materials: linen, wool, cotton. As well as in other workshops, here you can take part in a master class: weaving on planks. The result of the master class will be a self-made belt.
In the patchwork workshop of the Guild of St. Anthony, items of clothing, home textiles are made: pillowcases, bedspreads, bags, raincoats. Various master classes are held here: a workshop for making neck jewelry using a patchwork technique, making patchwork dolls, panels, a workshop for making silk wallets in the style of medieval urban matrons.
In the art workshop, you can buy paintings, take part in master classes or just get acquainted with the exhibition. You can also order a painting: a portrait, drawings on the walls, etc.
In the antique costume workshop, you can see costumes from different eras, made from natural materials. In addition, you can order a similar suit for your wardrobe.
In the puppet workshop, which has been operating since 2005, there is a magical puppet world where cats, giraffes, angels, smiling dolls and other interesting characters are placed. Here you can not only admire the toys, but also buy the product you like. And, of course, you can make your own toy by participating in master classes on making toys and dolls using different techniques.
The hat workshop, which started its work in 2005, offers a wider selection of hats for men, women and children. Craftsmen will make hats for you from different materials: fur, leather, fabric. All headdresses are hand-made by a craftsman; decorations for them are made from the same materials as the products themselves.
There are not so many furriers or craftsmen in the production of fur and leather products in Estonia. Usually the knowledge and skills required for this type of craft are kept in secret. However, here you can freely observe the work of the craftsmen and even take part in master classes on making fur brooches. There is also a workshop for the manufacture of a fur keychain with leather braid and a strap.
The stained glass atelier has been operating in Tartu since 1993. The studio moved to the Guild in the fall of 1999, creating another workshop - stained glass. The workshop offers its services for the production of stained glass to order, wall clocks with a glass dial and other products. You can also sign up for a mini stained glass workshop using the Tiffany technique, or take part in a glass making workshop where you can make a glass pendant, jewelry or medallion.
The textile workshop, which opened in 2001, produces designer fabrics and textiles for interior decoration and sewing. The pearl of the textile workshop are natural silk dresses made using the “silk painting” technique. By taking part in a silk painting workshop, you will independently make a silk scarf using this technique.
In the smithy, which opened quite recently - in the summer of 2010, you can get acquainted with the works of the master or even buy them, you can ask questions to the master, you can buy metal products to order. It also hosts training sessions and master classes.
