There’s something pretty special about a craft that has survived generations – and on Saturday 5 September, the Portland community is being invited to help make sure one of those traditions continues.
From 10am, the Portland WallNuts HQ on Vale Street will host Keeping The Craft Alive, a community charity event combining local art, live music, great food and some very unique Father’s Day shopping.
The Portland WallNuts have become an important part of the town’s story, but their beginnings stretch back 25 years.
In 2001, Ron Bidwell established the Portland WallNuts with a vision to recreate the vintage advertising signs that once adorned shop walls from around 1895 through to the 1960s.
With the assistance of traditional signwriters from across Australia and overseas, Ron and the WallNuts helped transform Portland into an outdoor gallery, preserving the techniques of traditional hand-painted signwriting while adding another layer to the town’s rich heritage. Sadly, Ron passed away in 2019, but his legacy continues through many of his great mates who remain committed to keeping the craft alive. Saturday’s event is a chance for the community to support that work – and have a great day out at the same time.
Local favourite Mooks will provide the live music, while complimentary canapés will be served with entry donations. Visitors can browse heritage signmaking goods and locally produced donated items – perfect for finding something a little different for Father’s Day.
The WallNuts team will also have their commission books open, giving visitors the opportunity to order their very own custom handpainted sign.
The event has been proudly supported by Portland Bakery, Portland Larder, Salami Man, Kadimah Park, Zig Zag Brewery and Williams & Sons Butchery on Vale, along with Mooks providing the entertainment. All proceeds will go directly towards supporting the WallNuts and preserving traditional signmaking in Portland.
So grab a gold coin or two, head down to Vale Street and support the local crew keeping a very special piece of Portland history alive.
