KEEPING MALTA’S ARTISANAL ARTS ALIVE

THE MALTA SOCIETY OF ARTS HAS BEEN PROMOTING THE ARTS FOR THE PAST 171 YEARS, INCLUDING CRAFTS WHICH OTHERWISE MIGHT VERY WELL HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN.

ESTABLISHED IN 1852, THE MALTA SOCIETY OF ARTS (MSA) IS THE COUNTRY’S OLDEST ARTS INSTITUTION AND IS THIS YEAR CELEBRATING 100 YEARS AT PALAZZO DE LA SALLE, A 400-YEAR-OLD VALLETTA PALAZZO BUILT BY THE KNIGHTS OF ST JOHN.

The palazzo was given to the MSA in 1923 by the first Maltese government, which had just been formed, so the Society could continue to promote the arts. The stunning palazzo has since been renovated extensively and is now a state-of-the-art venue bursting with activity. Apart from regular concerts, talks and exhibitions, Palazzo de La Salle hosts courses in visual and performing arts, as well as applied arts like tailoring, knitting, crochet, dressmaking, and lacemaking. The MSA was, in fact, the first to set up a School of Lace in Malta and its courses in the subject and other artisanal arts still attract students of all ages.

Carmen Ellul is one of the teachers keeping the art of lacemaking, also known as bizzilla, alive. While most of Ellul’s students are older in age, her classes also attract young students. “Some of the younger students might have seen their grandmother making lace the traditional Maltese way and want to try their hand at it,” she says. “Others might be looking for an extracurricular a ctivity that will complement their studies, but many just want to learn a new craft to practise as a hobby.”

The progress a student makes depends on how much time and energy they dedicate to the craft but, given the right approach, Ellul can help a student go from a complete novice to making a doily after just nine lessons. “In any case, these crafts are enjoyable and they are a much more productive way of spending your free time,” she shares. “When I visit my father at the home for the elderly where he now lives, I see a lot of residents just sitting and staring into space or watching television. I now appreciate even more having hobbies that keep me mentally active and creatively involved. I hope to be making scarves for the carers if I ever live in a retirement home!”

Another teacher who is passionate about her craft is Carmen Busuttil, who teaches tailoring at the MSA. After years as a seamstress, she now delights in teaching others the lost art of creating one’s own clothes. “I have been teaching at MSA for the past 31 years and love it,” she reveals. “Although my course is an introductory one, some students return for a second or third time. In their case, we build on skills they would have already learned and move on to creating patterns and making trousers or a skirt.” It saddens Busuttil that younger generations are no longer taught skills like hemming a pair of trousers or changing the zip on a skirt. “These things used to be taught in schools or at home, but these days many wouldn’t know where to start. These courses are a good way to socialise while learning these skills,” she adds.

Dressmaking, where students learn how to make their own patterns of skirts and dresses and various other sewing techniques, is another course on offer, as are those in knitting and crochet. Both knitting and crochet saw a rise in popularity with younger generations in recent years and the diverse age groups attending these courses are proof of this trend. “Applied arts are as important to foster as the visual arts, especially when it comes to the artisanal ones like lacemaking,” says MSA president Architect Adrian Mamo. “Not only do these courses provide a creative outlet for those following them, but they also help to keep these art forms alive. These crafts have survived hundreds of years and it is our duty to ensure their longevity at a time when they could easily be cast aside.”

T he full schedule of courses with details of times and fees as well as application forms can be found on www.artsmalta.org/courses.

For more information send an email on: info@a rtsmalta.org or visit www.facebook.com/maltasocietyofarts

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WORDS THAMES PARNELL