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To Whom it May Concern,
RE: THE 17TH TASMANIAN CRAFT FAIR
As one of the Judges of the 17th Tasmanian Craft Fair, I was utterly amazed at the size, scope and diversity of this event and surprised that its significance on Australia's craft calendar could have escaped me for so long. Following my visit, I regard Deloraine Rotary Club's commitment to developing the Fair into one of Tasmania's major attractions is well founded and totally justified. Indeed, l believe it has the potential to become an event of national significance, given Tasmania’s exalted position in the field of contemporary craft. I've Tasmanian Craft Fair is very well managed and unique in the high degree of community support it receives. It is certainly worthy of much wider public recognition and, in my opinion, deserves support and promotion by government agencies at both State and Federal level.
The Craft Fair not only has the capacity to improve the livelihood of hundreds of Tasmania's craftspeople and designer/makers, but also to attract thousands of visitors, including overseas trade buyers, to the State.
I found that the spread of venues did not detract from the Fair and in many respects added to the visitors' enjoyment, while simultaneously involving the entire Deloraine township in the event. I consider this to be an essential element in the Fair's success.
Tasmania is richly endowed with talented craftspeople and designer/ makers. Unfortunately, many of the the State's most prominent practitioners were not represented. However, with the recent change in name to the Tasmanian Craft Fair and the possibility of Deloraine Rotary deciding to feature a curated or invitational exhibition of leading makers as part of next year's Fair, this situation could change significantly. In this regard, I urge all of Tasmania's best known craftspeople to support this remarkable Deloraine project by agreeing to participate in a curated exhibition if invited to do so.
I applaud the outstanding achievement
of Deloraine Rotary Club In mounting and nurturing this exciting annual
event and look forward with interest to its future growth and development.