Coming to a town near you!
By Staff Writer
Craft exhibitions in the UK offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the world of creativity, craftsmanship, and artistry. These exhibitions often showcase a diverse range of crafts, including ceramics, textiles, woodworking, glasswork, and much more. Here are ten UK craft exhibitions, along with brief explanations:
1. The Knitting & Stitching Show:
This popular exhibition celebrates all things textile-related, from knitting and embroidery to quilting and weaving. It features a wide range of workshops, demonstrations, and a marketplace with an array of textile materials and supplies.
Where? Various cities across the UK, including London, Harrogate, and Edinburgh.
2. Collect: The International Art Fair for Contemporary Craft and Design:
Collect is a prestigious annual event that showcases contemporary craft and design from around the world. It brings together galleries, artists, and makers working with various craft mediums, including ceramics, glass, jewellery, and metalwork.
Where? Somerset House, London.
3. British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF):
BCTF is a trade fair that connects designers and makers of British craft with retailers and galleries. It features a diverse range of handmade products, including ceramics, jewellery, and textiles.
Where? Harrogate, North Yorkshire
4. The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF):
GNCCF is a contemporary craft fair that showcases the work of talented artisans from across the UK. It features a wide variety of craft disciplines, including ceramics, glass, jewellery, and textiles.
Where? Manchester
5. Crafts Council Collect Open:
Collect Open is an exhibition within Collect that focuses on showcasing the work of emerging and established artists who push the boundaries of contemporary craft. It often includes innovative and thought-provoking pieces.
Where? Part of Collect at Somerset House, London.
6. Contemporary Textiles Fair:
This fair celebrates contemporary textile art and craft. It features a diverse range of textile techniques and applications, including weaving, felting, and dyeing, displayed by talented artists and makers.
Where? Teddington, London.
7. West Dean Arts and Craft Festival:
This festival combines craft exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, and music performances. It showcases a wide variety of crafts, including woodworking, metalwork, and textiles, in a beautiful garden setting.
Where? West Dean College, West Sussex.
8. Made by Hand, Cheltenham:
This event features a curated selection of makers and artisans showcasing their handmade crafts, including ceramics, jewellery, and glasswork. Visitors can meet the makers and purchase unique pieces.
Where? Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
9. Edinburgh Art Festival:
While not exclusively a craft exhibition, the Edinburgh Art Festival includes contemporary craft as part of its diverse art offerings. It features contemporary artists who incorporate craft techniques into their work.
Where? Edinburgh.
10. Open Studios and Art Trails
Open studio events and art trails occur throughout the year in different regions. They provide an opportunity to visit artists and makers in their studios, see their creative processes, and purchase their work directly.
Where? Various regions and cities across the UK.
These craft exhibitions and events celebrate the rich diversity of craftmanship in the UK, showcasing the talents of artists and artisans while offering visitors a chance to appreciate and acquire unique, handmade pieces of art and craft.
