In the historical centre of Tartu, in the Jaani quarter, there is the St. Anthony's Palace, where the St. Anthony's Guild works. It's a place where real craftsmen who love arts and crafts. The courtyard includes 3 buildings: a pottery workshop, a craftsmen's house, and a guild building.
The St Anthony's Guild is an organisation of professional Applied artists, painters and craftsmen. In written records Guild is first mentioned in 1449, as the Little Guild, or Guild of St Anthony's Guild, which included the town's craftsmen. The patron of the of the Tartu Small Guild was Saint Anthony, and it was in his honour that the association was named. Handicrafts were considered to be the main occupation of the locals. Those craftsmen who were not members of the Guild were not allowed to practise their craft or sell their wares within the city limits.
Today, the Guild's task is to support and develop Estonian arts and crafts. The masters of the St Anthony's Guild are creative people who love what they do, respectful of tradition and ancient craft skills, and the products they make are made with soul. The craftsmen work in three buildings at St Anthony's. The pottery workshop started its work before anything else. This was three years before the Guild was officially revived, in 1996. Most of the workshops are located in the the crafts building. In 1999, carpet, stained glass and patchwork workshops were opened. Then the leather, textile, porcelain and glass workshops started their activities. In addition to these, the House of Masters houses skinnery, art and design workshops, as well as a workshop for making old costumes, dolls, and hats.
Several dozen artists and craftsmen make various products, including including customised items. There is a huge number of interesting and unique products: stained glass windows, author's ceramics, carpets, costumes, hats, handmade dolls, paintings and much more. The farmstead has a special creative and cosy atmosphere. You can to observe the work of craftsmen, ask questions and listen to fascinating stories.
In addition, various events are often held in the Guild's courtyard: both summer and winter. These can be concerts, performances, weddings, gala dinners. Some of the events held have managed to become traditional. In early summer, for example, there are the St Anthony's Yard Days and the Little Guild Fair. St Anthony's Days and the Little Guild Fair. During this period, the venue becomes the epicentre epicentre of various events - fair, songs, dances, workshops. In autumn, on the 2nd November 2, it celebrates All Souls' Day. On this day, the souls of those who have lived, the living, and those who will live.
The founder of the pottery workshop in 1996 was glass artist Piret Veski, who graduated from the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR, and ceramist Kaido Kask. The workshop mainly makes various types of mugs, vases, jugs. There is quite a large selection of ready-made products, as well as a customisation service. Orders can be from clay buttons to fireplaces and sculptures. Here you can take part in a masterclass to make a ceramic product from fired clay - terracotta. It's just worth bearing in mind that the finished product needs to dry for a long time, so you can pick it up only in a week.
In the leather workshop you can order great leather goods, photo albums, author's bindings, wallets, bags, belts, bracelets. Also There are also master classes on making leather jewellery, wallets, frames, medallions, key chains, bracelets.
In the carpet workshop masters make belts and skirts for folk costumes, weave woollen bedspreads, curtains, carpets on machines. In their work they use natural materials: linen, wool, cotton. As in other workshops, here you can take part in a master class: weaving on boards. The result masterclass will be a sash, made by your own hands.
In the patchwork workshop of the St Anthony's Guild you can make elements of clothing, home textiles: pillowcases, bedspreads, bags, mackintoshes. Various master classes are held here: a workshop for making patchwork neck jewellery, making patchwork dolls, panels, a workshop for making silk purses in the style of medieval city matrons.
In the art workshop you can buy paintings, take part in masterclasses, or simply browse the exhibition. It is also possible to order painting: portrait, wall drawings, etc.
In the workshop for making old costumes you can see costumes of different epochs made of natural materials. epochs, made of natural materials. In addition, it is possible to order a similar costume to add to your wardrobe.
In the puppet workshop, which has been operating since 2005, a magical puppet world where cats, giraffes, angels, smiling dolls and other interesting characters. Here you can not only admire the toys, but also to buy your favourite product. And, of course, you can make your own toy, taking part in the masterclasses on making toys and dolls in different techniques.
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The hat workshop, which started its work in 2005, offers A larger selection of hats for men, women and children. The craftsmen will make for you you hats from different materials: fur, leather, fabric. All hats are handmade by the craftsman, jewellery for them is made of the same materials as the products themselves.
Furriers, or makers of fur and leather goods, are not very numerous in Estonia. Usually the knowledge and skills required for this kind of craft, is usually kept a big secret. Here, however, you can freely observe the work of the masters and even take part in masterclasses on fur brooches. There is also a workshop to make a fur key chain with leather braiding and a strap.
Stained glass atelier has been operating in Tartu since 1993. The atelier moved to the Guild moved to the Guild in autumn 1999, creating another workshop - a stained glass workshop. The workshop offers its services in the production of customised stained glass windows, wall clocks with a glass dial and other products. You can also sign up for a masterclass on mini stained glass in the Tiffany technique or take part in a workshop on glassmaking, where you can make a glass pendant, jewellery or medallion.
In the textile workshop, which opened in 2001, we produce author's fabrics and textiles for interior decoration and tailoring. The pearl of the textile workshop are natural silk dresses made in the "silk painting" technique. Taking part in the silk painting workshop, you will will make your own silk scarf in this technique.
In the forge, which opened recently - in the summer of 2010, you can get acquainted with the works of the master or even buy them, you can ask questions master, you can buy metal products to order. Also here are held training sessions and masterclasses.
