Arts & Sciences

Arts & Sciences Minister:
Karl inn irski heraldic device for Karl inn irski

Arts and Sciences

Artisanal Hands, a series by one of ours, Theodoric the Scholar heraldic device for Theodoric the Scholar. This picture features the marvelous work of Laurellen de Brandevin heraldic device for Laurellen de Brandevin.
(© 2012 Derek Lyons)

Although Martial activities are perhaps the most visible aspect of SCA life, study of the Arts and Sciences supports every facet of life in the Current Middle Ages. Without them life would be both less colorful and less comfortable. What would happen to the pageantry of court and tournament without the skills of costumers, musicians, and craftsmen in disciplines like banner making, metalwork, woodwork, calligraphy, and illumination? What would the feast be without the culinary arts, dancing, or the bardic arts?

Many arts and science activities are scheduled each month in the Barony. We have arts and sciences activities at nearly every social and get-together, including Guild meetings, workshops, and bardic practices. See the Baronial news feed for more information.

Culinary Arts & Scribal Guilds

Guilds in the SCA are inspired by historical medieval and renaissance guilds — these are community-level organizations that promote a specific craft or skill. Dragon’s Laire has several active guilds. Some of these are local “chapters” of a Kingdom-wide guild, others are local to Dragon’s Laire only, and still other guilds are active primarily at the Kingdom level. Click here to learn more about our guilds.

Bardic Activities

Our Arts & Sciences Minister hosts a bardic circle every 4th Tuesday, at our weekly social (link to address and details). This is a drop-in activity, and all skill levels are welcome. Bring what you’re working on, test out your piece in front of a small audience, and/or practice with the group. Bardic arts include music, singing, story-telling, theater, and poetry recitation.

Champions and Scholars

See the Champions and Scholars page for a list of current and former baronial scholars and A&S champions.

Our champions are selected by an annual competition held at Harvest Feast. Champions serve for a year as representatives of the Barony. Learn more about how our A&S and Bardic championship competitions work.

The Scholar’s Assembly focuses on scholarly research, with the intent to build a community of scholars within the Barony. Research papers are selected, on the basis of scholarly merit, for presentation at the Scholar’s Assembly. Successful applicants are recognized as Scholars of Dragon’s Laire. Learn more about how the Scholar’s Assembly works.

Arts & Sciences Web Publications

  • The Dragon’s Laire Readers Theater made an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which you can watch on YouTube.
  • In 2020, as COVID-19 shut down our world. we went virtual with our Yule celebration. This livestream on YouTube has classes, storytelling, musical performances, and more!
  • In 2021, our annual A&S and Bardic championships were virtual, and you can see the Gallery of Works here. Ever want to know what a championship competitor does? This is a great way to find out!
  • Also in 2021, we had a virtual celebration of June Faire — a YouTube playlist of 34 short videos!
  • We have a variety of short articles and archived Scholarly papers at Resources and Articles, on our website.

Borrowing the Drum Carder

The Barony of Dragon’s Laire has this fiber drum carder available for loan, with the attachments and accessories pictured here. We loan it out upon request on an e-mail sent to the Arts and Sciences Minister, Karl inn irski heraldic device for Karl inn irski (click to email). We can negotiate the length-of-time needed, dependent on what is being processed. We can also provide instruction on its use when transfer occurs. We expect the drum carder to be returned in the same condition as when it was loaned. If you have any questions, please contact the Arts and Sciences Minister at the e-mail address above.

A&S Classes

Classes are held frequently during our Tuesday night Baronial Social/Fighter Practice at the VFW Hall. Want to take part? Try out an upcoming presentation? Convene a round table discussion on a topic of interest? Bring some books to show? Have an idea or wish for a class? Contact the arts and sciences minister, Karl inn irski heraldic device for Karl inn irski.

Class information is usually posted in the Dragon’s Laire Facebook group, on the Baronial website newsfeed, and the Baronial Discord server (link).

Want to Teach?

We are always looking for teachers for our events, our weekly social and more. If you are interested in teaching, contact the Arts and Sciences Minister.

Kingdom Arts and Sciences Information:

Kingdom Arts and Sciences Information is found on the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Webpage.

We LOVE our Day Camp

The Barony holds Arts and Sciences Day Camps at various times in the year; generally one in the Spring and one in the Fall. This is an all day, casual (no garb required), socializing, teaching, learning, and doing event. Day Camp encourages the Arts & Sciences spirit in all who participate! We often have instructors and participants from across the region.