How to plaster like a master? Watch how a plasterboard is applied to a wall with lime mortar; the basics of plastering. You are invited to try it yourself.
During the workshop, discover how a baluster (the spindle of a balustrade or stair railing) is made in a lathe with a zinc mold and crank handle, just like the original, and learn how to make a plaster or silicone mold from it.
Next, you’ll cast a baluster, a base, and a top plateau using model plaster. Participants will be guided in making a plaster molding, which can then be used to add a dentil molding to the plateau.
You’ll go home with your own baluster.
The Dutch Plaster Guild, the national association of master restoration plasterers, has approximately 45 independently operating member companies throughout the Netherlands, all of whom have proven themselves in the field of decorative and/or restorative plasterwork.
They work both indoors and outdoors, preferably on monumental facades or interiors. They are also skilled in all modern plastering techniques. The plasterers work with air lime, hydraulic lime, gypsum, cement, and resin-bound materials, and master specialized techniques for creating glossy plasters, concrete finishes, frescoes, graffiti, moldings and ornaments, stucco marble, and gilding.
Marcel Vlasblom is a member and secretary of the Dutch Plastering Guild and the owner of Marcel Vlasblom Plastering Company in Geervliet. The company specializes in restoration and decorative plasterwork, both indoors and outdoors. Marcel enjoys spectacular stucco designs and has a predilection for Art Nouveau and Art Deco design, as well as geometric shapes and patterns. He also teaches at the restoration training program for plasterers in Veenendaal.
This workshop will cover various maintenance techniques and materials used in shoemaking.
You’ll learn how to make small repairs to loose parts, holes, or broken heels.
Bring your favorite sneakers and learn how to clean them; which product should you use for which material?
After these workshops, you’ll know exactly how to best care for your beloved shoes, so you can enjoy more wonderful adventures together!
You’ll go home with your own refurbished shoes.
Femke Dix is the face of Shoemaker Sole. The place where her passion and love for shoes are expressed and where she provides personalized attention to ensure your shoes are ready to wear again. With Sole, Femke wants to create a place where all shoes and people are welcome. A no-nonsense, honest, and friendly shoemaker.
Femke says: “Every shoe has a story.” So what will the next chapter be?
Practical information
New this year: the Ambacht in Beeld Gift Shop!
Discover a curated selection of sustainable items to take home or use during the festival:
Take home a meaningful, sustainable souvenir and support craftsmanship from near and far!
The Netherlands Hat Association (NHV) has been active since 2004. The association’s mission is to bring the hat back into fashion, to strengthen the professionalism of the millinery trade, and to support the professional development of hat makers.
This unique association connects around 300 members from diverse backgrounds: professionals working with all aspects of hat-making, hobby milliners, and hat enthusiasts. For all of them, the NHV serves primarily as a platform—offering opportunities for education, training, competitions, and social events.
One example is the annual NHV Hat Day, an event entirely dedicated to hats. Here, members and anyone interested in hats can exchange knowledge, skills, and ideas about hat design and craftsmanship. By organizing competitions and exhibitions, NHV aims to promote the hat and highlight its place within the fashion industry. Since 2006, the NHV has hosted a series of annual hat-making competitions.
The association also publishes Hatlines, a glossy magazine issued four times a year and distributed to all members. In Hatlines you’ll find reports on NHV activities, tips and techniques, interviews, photo spreads of hat events, and more.
At the Ambacht in Beeld Festival, the NHV will showcase the art of millinery and offer a behind-the-scenes look at hat-making. Visitors can see how measurements are taken, how hat blocks are used, and explore the variety of materials and finishes that go into creating a hat—culminating in a custom-made piece. Through demonstrations and conversations about wearing and making hats, the association hopes to inspire festival visitors to appreciate the hat as a true fashion accessory.
In the screen printing workshop Draw & Print, you’ll playfully dive into creating your own design — either on A4 format or in two layers on A5 format. You’ll draw directly onto a blank silkscreen frame. Using a special emulsion layer, your design is rinsed out with water, opening up the stencil in the screen. This allows you to print your design in, for example, two layers of ink on paper and/or textiles. If you like, you can even bring your own shirt or sweater to print on.
You’ll go home with a series of experimental prints of your own creation, plus a goodie bag.
Screen printing is a graphic stencil technique suitable for printing on a wide range of materials including textiles, paper, cardboard, glass, wood, and plastics. A handmade stencil or light-sensitive emulsion is transferred onto a mesh screen. Ink is then pressed through the stencil onto the chosen surface using a squeegee.
Michael van Kekem works as an illustrative designer and printmaker. Within the fields of illustration, graphic design, and printmaking, he creates editorial illustrations, prints, visual identities, zines, and a variety of other products. He regularly teaches workshops in printmaking (screen printing, etching, and linocut) at events, for companies, and for individuals of all ages. Michael also frequently exhibits his personal work.
Practical information
In this workshop, you’ll learn the basic skills of working with leather, including cutting, skiving, glueing, and stitching. Step-by-step, Raya van Lochem will guide you in creating a stylish and functional glasses case.
You’ll choose your own leather and work with an industrial skiving and leather sewing machine. This workshop is perfect for beginners as well as enthusiasts.
You’ll leave with a unique, handmade case for your glasses.
Het Ambachtshuis Brabant is a leading educational organisation for practical craft training, following a modern master–apprentice model. Their doors are open to all (young) adults who want to work with head, heart, and hands, regardless of their education, background, or skill set. Everyone is welcome to discover and develop their passion for craftsmanship. Students are trained in authentic techniques, ensuring that traditional crafts are passed down. Craftspeople are valued once again and in the spotlight! Ambachtshuis Brabant strives for honest products and experiences with a story, and through their courses, they aim to contribute to this mission.
Raya van Lochem graduated as an interior architect from the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts. She then completed professional training as a bag maker. After passing her master’s exam, she launched her own brand, Raya. Her handmade bags are distinguished by a clear design language reflecting her love for architecture and graphic design. In addition, she teaches the professional bag-making programme at Het Ambachtshuis Brabant.
During this workshop, you’ll create a unique accessory from genuine leather that’s both beautiful and practical.
You’ll learn the basic artisanal techniques of leatherworking, such as cutting, linking, gluing, stitching, and zipper insertion. You’ll use professional tools and machines.
You’ll choose your own leather color and work with an industrial link and leather machine; this workshop is perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
You’ll go home with your handmade leather wallet.
Het Ambachtshuis Brabant is a leading educational organization specializing in practical craft training, following a modern master-apprentice model. Their doors are open to all (young) adults who want to work with head, heart, and hands, regardless of their education, background, or skills. Everyone is welcome to discover and develop their passion for crafts. Participants receive in-depth vocational training focused on transferring authentic techniques. Craftspeople are gaining renewed appreciation and prominence! Het Ambachtshuis Brabant is committed to honest products and meaningful experiences with a story, contributing through their education programs.
Dorrith de Beer graduated from ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem in 3D Design and Fashion, Design & Strategy. A few years later, she specialized in Foodwear & Design at SVGB OSLO in Nieuwegein. Although she started her career as a designer/stylist and shoe designer, she discovered that creating bags is her true love and passion. She now runs her own label, Dorrith Design, and owns a leather atelier where she teaches workshops and courses. In collaboration with Het Ambachtshuis Brabant, Dorrith helped develop the professional training program for leather bag makers and remains very active as an instructor.
Our ancestors built their homes using natural materials such as loam, straw, and lime.
During this interactive workshop, you will explore up close how earthen construction works together with the team from Bokrijk | Craft & Heritage. You will literally roll up your sleeves and learn a few basic techniques. This hands-on session offers a unique opportunity to discover a traditional building craft that is once again highly relevant today in the context of sustainable architecture and the challenges of the modern construction sector.
In addition, staff members will be available to answer questions and to reflect together on the preservation, transmission, and future of earthen building. Do you already work with historical or contemporary clay techniques, or are you curious about the network of earth-builders just across the border? This is the perfect moment to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and find inspiration. Discover how craftsmanship and innovation go hand in hand within the world of earthen construction, where past and present meet in building expertise!
You will also meet Aïcha and Zabi, two skilled artisans who put their expertise into practice daily at the Bokrijk Open-Air Museum. By the end, this craft will hold no more secrets for you!
Bokrijk | Craft & Heritage has been the Bokrijk expertise centre since 2019, focusing on the contemporary relevance of historic woodworking and building techniques. From its Craftsmanship Campus, the team documents, researches, supports, and communicates about craft heritage throughout Flanders and Brussels. As a service provider, C&H is part of a strong national network and also acts as an international knowledge hub. Jeroen Desaver and Rien Bogaert will be present to share more information.
In this inspiring session, you will create a small, colourful painting. You’ll learn how to recognize shapes within abstract backgrounds and discover the magic of various painting techniques.
We’ll work with acrylic paints, pencils, and ink, allowing you to develop your own unique style. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, let your creativity flow and join us for a fun painting session!
By the end of the workshop, you’ll take home a beautiful, self-made painting that sparks your imagination and deserves a special place in your home.
This workshop is also offered to participants aged 13 and up. Check the available times here.
Visual artist Kinga Wieczorek grew up in Zbąszyń, Poland. She graduated cum laude in 2008 from the Lyceum for Visual Arts in Zielona Góra, specializing in visual advertising, painting, and art history. From 2009 to 2016, she collaborated with Galerie Pretekst in Krakow, and her work was featured in the Polish film The Art of Loving.
Kinga mainly paints portraits in oil but also experiments with acrylic and texture paste, especially in landscapes. Her style is inspired by magical realism and realism, focusing on the connection between nature and humanity.
She caters to art lovers and private clients and offers a wide range of workshops and lessons in various techniques such as drawing, ink work, pastel, charcoal, acrylic, and oil painting. Kinga believes painting is a valuable investment in your own well-being. By first learning realistic drawing and painting, students can develop their own unique style.
Kinga now lives and works in Zaandam, where she runs her own studio. Besides her artistry, she teaches and serves as vice-chair of Stichting Tengel.
Practical information
In this inspiring session, you will create a small, colourful painting. You’ll learn how to recognize shapes within abstract backgrounds and discover the magic of various painting techniques.
We’ll work with acrylic paints, pencils, and ink, allowing you to develop your own unique style. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, let your creativity flow and join us for a fun painting session!
By the end of the workshop, you’ll take home a beautiful, self-made painting that sparks your imagination and deserves a special place in your home.
Visual artist Kinga Wieczorek grew up in Zbąszyń, Poland. She graduated cum laude in 2008 from the Lyceum for Visual Arts in Zielona Góra, specializing in visual advertising, painting, and art history. From 2009 to 2016, she collaborated with Galerie Pretekst in Krakow, and her work was featured in the Polish film The Art of Loving.
Kinga mainly paints portraits in oil but also enjoys experimenting with acrylic and texture paste, especially when creating landscapes. Her style is inspired by magical realism and realism, focusing on the connection between nature and humanity.
She works with art lovers and private clients and offers a wide range of workshops and lessons in various techniques such as drawing, ink work, pastel, charcoal, acrylic, and oil painting. Kinga believes that painting is a valuable investment in your well-being. By first learning realistic drawing and painting, students can develop their own unique style.
Currently, Kinga lives and works in Zaandam, where she runs her own studio. Besides her art practice, she teaches and serves as vice-chair of Stichting Tengel.
Practical information
Festival address:
NDSM Loods
NDSM-Plein 85
1033 WC Amsterdam
Postal address:
Stichting Ambacht in Beeld
Kalf 158
1509AH Zaandam
The Netherlands
