The Masters & Makers Exhibition initiative came from the need for master wood craftsmen, furniture makers and emerging creatives on the Garden Route to find a platform to express their works. This has resulted in the launching of an annual exhibition to coincide with the Knysna Timber Festival, now in its 6th year of operation.

The MME also aims to promote strategic skills development and creating an awareness of opportunities for learners seeking a career in the wood industry. An initiative for artisan and apprentice training is already underway in Knysna under auspices of the Axon Investment Services trading as Entabeni, Timber Village and three master wood craftsmen in the Knysna surrounds. The focus of this initiative is to broaden the wood industry to create specialist training of young previously disadvantaged carpenters. Land and buildings have been offered for this initiative and we have also reached out to schools along the Garden Route.

The MME will be staged during the Knysna Timber Festival, and presents a wonderful opportunity for all associated industries. The Timber Festival is aimed mostly at employers of carpenters and consumers of woodworking machinery.

By holding the MME at the same time, we seek to link potential employees with employers and will focus on job creation opportunities through providing an outlet for wood craftsmen, carpenters and furniture makers to demonstrate their skills. Based on our success at this year’s event we will hold the event annually in years to come.

The 2019 Masters & Makers exhibition is open to the public on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th March 2020.

Entrance is free with any Knysna Timber Festival ticket.