Building arts festival features lectures, entertainment, food

Did you know that Charleston is the only place in the country where artisans are educated and trained in the traditional building arts?

The American College of the Building Arts specializes in fostering craftsmanship in the historic traditions of carpentry, plaster, architectural stone, forged architectural ironwork, preservation masonry, and timber framing.

Since Charleston is so rich with architectural history, it is fitting that a school of this type and caliber is here.

Think of all the old plaster moldings, the forged ironwork, and more that make Charleston the beautiful place that it is.

Without artisans specifically trained in this type of work, how would residents make repairs or reproductions of these works that make our city so special?

It is for these reasons and more that it is important to support the American College of the Building Arts and their students.

This weekend offers up a perfect way to do just that with the annual Masters of the Building Arts Festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the main campus, the Old City Jail at 21 Magazine St.

The free festival is an event for the entire family. There will be campus tours, lectures, food and entertainment.

The school is bringing in expert artisans to do demonstrations of different techniques, including European woodcarving, granite sculpting, blacksmithing and architectural ironwork, decorative gilding, faux painting, restoration carpentry and joinery.

There will be several lectures taking place. From noon to 1 p.m., Sidney Wagner of Eclectic Interior Design Group will explain how to incorporate ironwork and stone carvings into home design.

Check the site, www.buildingartscollege.us, or call 577-5245 for other lecture speakers and times.