Craftsmen association in the Pyrénées Atlantiques department
Chairperson’s message
It’s right in the heart of the historical and arts quarter, that each year our association has the pleasure to organise two crafts exhibitions, in the magnificent cloister of Sainte Marie’s Cathedral, in the city centre of Bayonne. These exhibitions are cultural and educational interactions with the public who appreciates to meet our craftsmen, in an exceptional and peaceful site on the Basque Coast.
Some craftsmen propose demonstrations of their skills. This enables the visitors of the exhibition to dream and discover in friendliness, various crafts, and their differences in style, materials and creativity. We of course encourage young craftsmen and artists to join us and present their work.
Our selection criteria are based mainly on creativity, knowhow, changing raw material into a creative object. Traditional crafts are also appreciated by the board.To participate in our events, you must meet some obligations such as be registered on the roll of craftsmen, or the House of the Artists.
The admission to our exhibitions is free, in order to allow a large number of visitors to wander, and come again, whenever they want in this magical environment, full of history and creativity. We sometimes invite performing artists (singers, musicians, actors) or entertainment such as barrel organ.
Our association, through this website, is also a register of local craftsmen in the Aquitaine region, and more specifically in the Basque Country for exhibitions organisers.
Official Definition of crafts
“We can consider as a craftsman any natural person or social leader of a legal person, who has a principal or secondary independent activity, in the field of creation, processing or conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. This must be characterized by the mastery of skills and techniques for working the material and requires artistic inputs. A specific section to crafts is created within the trade directory".
Translation of an article of the French law on crafts, published on June 18th 2014
Professional craftsmen are first of all passionate men and women
They create, restore, and imagine exceptional creations both beautiful and helpful. But how can we define them more accurately? Crafts may be defined by the combination of three criteria :
- It implies complex know-how in transformation of material
- It produces unique or small series of objects of artistic interest
- The professional masters totally his craft
Members of the BOARD
1 / Catherine MARCOTTE LEDUC
Chairperson - Kat'Déco - Decorative painter - Bayonne (64)
2 / Joël BOETSCH
Treasurer- Joël Boetsch créations - Jeweller - Seignosse (40)
3 / Line BIENSAN
Secretary- Atelier Fleur d'Ébène - Honorary member - Laas (64)
4 / Gaëlle SERRIER
IT assistant and deputy secretary - Atelier de Perlinpinpin - Blow torch glass-blower - Orthevielle (40)
5 / Caroline MUNOS
Communication delegate - Rouge Rose - Upholsterer - Bayonne (64)
6 / Robert GOROSTIZA
Démissionnaire Robert ne fait plus partie du bureau depuis le 4 juin 2016
7 / Jean-Pierre BIENSAN
Exhibitions technical assistance delegate - Atelier fleur d'ébène - Wood-turner - Laas (64)
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