In May 2023 we launched VAKlab’s new Craftsmanship Calendar, spiked with interesting lectures, workshops and much more. The calendar is themed around the matter of wood to not only inspire designers, craftsmen and entrepreneurs but also to prepare possible candidates for their submission for the BKRK-award.
We had Dutch designers Lex Pott, Kiki & Joost and Studio Job to talk openly about their work as designers and entrepreneurs, their successes and pitfalls, their advice to (young) designers and the importance of craftsmanship in their practice. We took a deep dive into the craft of woodturning in a workshop with Nauwau, had a practical demo session on the maintenance of woodworking tools with Houtentiek and organized a two day experimental design workshop with Amandine David. We also introduced a monthly co-working day for our community with inspiring lunch sessions by Brand Architect Jasmijn Verlinden. To name a few of the highlights in our calendar.
Since then, a new calendar has followed every season, each time built around the theme of the upcoming BKRK-award. Behind every edition are months of work: researching and approaching speakers, makers and studios from Belgium and abroad, negotiating and setting prices, writing the texts and taking care of every last detail.