'Celebrate our Artisans' Week at Sauder Village

ARCHBOLD - As guests stroll throughout Historic Sauder Village the sounds of working craftsmen fill the air. From the ring of a hammer striking the anvil, the whoosh of wood being shaped on the schnitzelbank, or the thump of the beater-bar hitting fabric on the barn frame loom . . . . these are the sounds of historic and contemporary craftsmen at work at Ohio's largest living-history village. From Tuesday, Sept. 16 through Saturday, September 20, a week-long "Celebration of Our Artisans" will be held to pay tribute to the community of men and women who share their talents with guests at Historic Sauder Village.

"There once was a time when things like brooms, rugs, buckets and mugs were all made by hand," shared Andi Erbskorn, Curator of Education. "For the early settlers of the Great Black Swamp, making these items by hand was vital to their survival. At Sauder Village we're proud to have so many talented artisans and craftsmen who help to preserve the traditions of these crafts."

Historic Sauder Village is home to many craftsmen from both traditional and contemporary trades. Throughout the Village guests can watch as historic craftsmen demonstrate their skills in places like the spinning shop, tin shop, weaving shop and broom shop. There are also woodworkers, quilters, coopers and basket makers who come to the Village to share their talents with guests of all ages.

The historic village is proud to also be home to contemporary craftsmen who not only follow the traditions of their respective crafts but are also developing revolutionary new techniques and applications as well. These talented craftsmen are some of the premiere artists in their fields. Mark Matthews is notably recognized for his work in glass, especially glass spheres. Highly collected and valued, his marbles are on display in museums around the world. Mark Nafziger has been the potter at Sauder Village for more than 25 years and is known across the country for making pottery that is both beautiful and function. While fairly new to Sauder Village, blacksmith Simon Tommell has been creating quite a buzz with his artistic pieces.

"To have so many skilled craftsmen at work in our Historic Village is really quite unique," shared Jeanette Smith, Director of Sales and Marketing. "There aren't many places in the Midwest where you can get an in-depth look at so many traditional crafts and we're pleased to be celebrating and honoring these unique trades during this special week at the Village. Our guests also enjoy the opportunity to take home a piece of the experience . . . with one-of-a-kind items available for sale in many of the craft shops."

In addition to the usual demonstrations in the craft shops, some craftsmen are also planning special activities for the "Celebrate our Artisans" week. In the Spinning Shop there will be natural dying demonstrations at various times during the week and the weavers will be working on special linens for the new Pioneer Settlement area. Potter Mark Nafziger plans to fire his outdoor kiln on Wednesday and will open it on Saturday, weather permitting. Mark Matthews will be working on some new black and white marbles and the creation of an advent wreath for a local church will be blacksmith Simon Tommell's project for the week.

Another highlight of the week will be the opportunity to win a special gift made by one of the craftsmen at Sauder Village. Throughout the week guests will have an opportunity to enter a drawing for a variety of hand-crafted items.

Historic Sauder Village is open through the end of October. Some of the other special events planned yet this fall include Apple Butter Making Sept. 23-27, All Aboard Train Event Oct. 4 -5, Fall on the Farm Oct. 11 and Woodcarvers' Show and Sale Oct. 25 & 26. The Historic Village is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12-4 p.m.. Admission is $12.50 for adults, $6.25 for students and children 5 and under are free. Again this season, all children will receive free admission every Sunday and AAA and senior discounts are available.