Arts & Sciences

Costuming, cooking, music, dance, singing, woodwork, brewing, metalwork, textiles, calligraphy, and more!

The phrase “Arts and Sciences” (often shortened to ‘A&S’) refers to a wide array of pre-1600 skills and knowledge which can be explored both theoretically or practically within the Society. The arts and sciences can look different for different people — some like to make and wear their own medieval clothing (‘garb’) and others might instead focus on metalworking, or playing period music for an appreciative audience.

Ildhafn is home to many talented textile workers, musicians and artists. Our strength in the arts and sciences are a great opportunity for everyone to try their hand at all kinds of activities; if there’s a historical craft you’ve always been interested in, chances are we will know someone with expertise in that area!

Getting involved in “A&S”

Whether you come to the SCA as a beginner or a craftsperson with many years of experience, you’re welcome to join in and share your skills and knowledge. Many activities have a low cost to get started, and we have many helpful people willing to point you in the right direction for getting stuck in to a new skill.

Some events include classes run by fellow participants, and many events have more informal teaching sessions which can either be arranged in advance, or happen spontaneously on the day. Classes and teaching can be anything from personal research, sharing experiences completing a recent project, or hands-on classes about how to do a particular task.

A couple of times a year, we get together for craft days or workshops – sometimes there’s a topic we focus on, sometimes we have a general gathering and show-and-tell session. But always we welcome people to come along and share their projects and thoughts, or simply share some company while working on your own craft.

Occasionally, we’ll have a workshop to focus on a specific craft, for example, making a basic tunic or other article of clothing, calligraphy, or wood carving.  If there’s something specific you’d like to try, or something you would like help with, please contact the Arts and Sciences officer.

The person responsible for the Arts & Sciences in Ildhafn is THL Melissa Wijffels (Melissa) arts@ildhafn.lochac.sca.org. If you have any questions or would like to learn something in particular, please get in touch.

Rewards & Recognition

Creating beautiful things is often its own reward. Making or decorating items you use at events means you have stories you can tell. And cooking delicious food means you have delicious food to share with friends!

The SCA also recognises peoples’ work in the Arts & Sciences. Some of our annual events include A&S displays or competitions, where people can present the results of their study and/or showcase finished projects. There are also awards given to those who advance in and master arts, who teach others, and who generally help to make the society more beautiful, more entertained, better armed, better dressed, better fed and better informed about the pre-1600s world. The highest award in the Arts and Sciences is membership of the Order of the Laurel.

Resources

Music

Music is a key part of any study of medieval and renaissance history, as well as a very popular way to meet new people and discover the beauty of the music that evolved into what we listen to today.

Many members of the barony are keen amateur musicians, and will entertain us during a feast, sing beside a tournament, or play dance music at a ball.

There is a collection of music that one or more members of the Barony have practiced or performed on our Music Page.

Some other sources of music that many of us use are:

Sewing and the Textile Arts

Knowing how to sew is very handy for recreating pre-1600’s garb. Many members of the SCA learned how to sew specifically to do just that! Our group has everything from absolute beginners to accomplished tailors and costumers. If you need resources on patterns for making clothing, sources of fabric, or other tips, you can either contact the Arts and Science officer at arts@ildhafn.lochac.sca.org or ask directly on the Ildhafn e-mail listserv or facebook group.

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Ildhafn is also home to some amazing textile artists who spin, weave, embroider, and do all manner of other fibre arts!

Painting

Many things were painted in period, from decorative boxes, shields, flags, wall hangings, miniatures, to paintings on panels and canvas. If you’re interested in painting please get in touch with the Arts and Sciences Officer arts@ildhafn.lochac.sca.org for details on current activities.

Competitions

A number of Lochac-wide Competitions are available for you to enter your projects into: a good way to get feedback, broaden your skills, and show off your work. We also have several local competitions each year – the details tend to be advertised with each event.

Quarterly A&S Journal: Cockatrice

Cockatrice is the quarterly Arts & Sciences journal of the Kingdom of Lochac. It contains project stories, creative works, and original research by members of the SCA.

Met Museum books for download

There are over 500 books available to read online or as free downloads at the Metropolitan Museum’s website, including heaps on Renaissance and Middle Ages art, life, culture; Mongol and Asian materials; period fencing manuals; illuminations, tapestries, herbals and lots more