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Derek and Timothy Staines, Photo by Marco Kesseler © Michelangelo Foundation

THE RED LIST
by Franco Cologni

When we think of ‘endangered’ it tends to evoke endangered species on our planet; whether that be plants or animals. Yet, too rarely do we reflect on endangered human skills, in this case particular craftsmanship savoir-faire which plays an integral role to a country’s cultural heritage.

Kate Hetherington, Film by Thibault Vallotton © Michelangelo Foundation

PUTTING EUROPEAN ENDANGERED CRAFTS
ON THE MAP

We are happy to announce our new partnership with Heritage Crafts Association, United Kingdom to bring their HCA Red List of Endangered Crafts to a European level. Inspired by their research methodology and with the support of our wide network of European member organisations we are mapping European crafts considered to be at risk of disappearing. The Red List identifies and classifies crafts according to their endangered status and seeks to find innovative ways to ensure the continuation of these unique crafts.

DISCOVERY THE STORIES OF 3 UNIQUE CRAFTSPEOPLE

To celebrate the partnership we have commissioned and produced with Swiss Film maker Thibault Vallotton, three short films that highlight three British singular talents who are pursuing crafts in the UK that are classified as endangered.

David Adrian Smith, Film by Thibault Vallotton © Michelangelo Foundation

DAVID ADRIAN SMITH
Torquay

Reverse glass sign making

David is the only one in the world currently to be able to teach sign writing, glass gilding, French embossing and gold silvering. David started to learn his craft aged only 13, and at 18 years old had the opportunity to follow his passion to America, where he deepened his knowledge of the craft.

Watch the film

Derek and Timothy Staines, Film by Thibault Vallotton © Michelangelo Foundation

DEREK AND TIMOTHY STAINES 
London

Orrery Making

Derek, a trained tool maker and precision machinist started making Orreries when he retired. He trained his son, Timothy in the craft and together they run the family business and hope to pass it on to the next generation.

Watch the film

Kate Hetherington, Film by Thibault Vallotton © Michelangelo Foundation

KATE HETHERINGTON
Dulverton

Collar and Harness maker

Kate is one of a handful of practitioners left in the United Kingdom. Aged 16 she entered an apprenticeship with maser harness maker, John Mcdonald and has dedicate her livelihood to it ever since.

Watch the trailer

© Architetti Pedron La Tegola

SINGULAR TALENTS
THE RED LIST

One of the films is featured in our new film series on Singular Talents which will be unveiled this September in Venice at the second edition of Homo Faber: Crafting a more human future. Discover 12 exceptional craftspeople from across all of Europe who are practising rare or unique crafts. The films draw back the curtain on these treasurable master artisans and show the ways they are developing to safeguard these precious crafts for the future.

www.michelangelofoundation.org

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