Looking for DIY projects or to learn more about trades in both craft and industry? We will have a unique lineup of experts in the field related to everything from carpentry, papercutting, leatherworking, blacksmithing, puppetry and more.

The Weird Wild World of Heraldry 101

Date: Saturday, April 1 2023

Time: 2pm – 4pm

Supplies: All Included

Project: Learn about coats of arms, and design your own.

Price: $20.00 plus tax

Location: Stratford Perth Museum

Heraldry is deeply connected to many modern concepts, and embedded in Canadian culture, official buildings and history. Boring? Not if you know where to look! Behind every shield is a story - some grandiose, some naughty, and some just plain weird. From medieval to modern day, this form of recognition has been with us for nearly a thousand years. Heraldry has a language all its own, and when you’re done, you’ll have your own shield and crest to take home with you, perhaps representing your own story.


Workshop Leader: Desirée Kern

Desirée Kern is an artist hailing from Southern Ontario, specializing in several different media and genre including heraldry and surrealism, fantasy and more, and is a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, which has groups all over the world, joyfully studying and recreating parts of pre 16th century life. (The good parts.) Desirée shares drawing, heraldry, art history and surrealism with everyone she can. She is also an avid kayaker, traveller, and shenaniganizer. Fair warning to those in attendance – there will be jokes, the occasional strange story or tangent, and possibly the worst of unapologetic puns. (Ye be warned.)