The award-winning, not-for-profit Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, the largest of its kind in the North, brings together under one roof over 160 of the UK’s most talented designer-makers, real time making and an exhibition of museum quality contemporary craft
Now in its ninth year and supported by Arts Council England, the GNCCF champions and promotes contemporary craft and designer-makers.
All of the designer-makers taking part have been selected by an independent panel for their excellence, with interior and fashion textiles, glass, jewellery, ceramics, metalwork, furniture, print-making and more on show at the event.
As well as emerging and established makers, it will also showcase best new design talent selected from the region’s degree shows and will bring craft alive through a programme of workshops, pop-up studios and talks by leading designer-makers enabling visitors to learn about the inspiration, materials, making process and stories behind the work of these passionate artists and makers.
Celebrated ceramicist Zoe Lloyd will make new work under the gaze of show visitors as the GNCCF’s Artist in Residence and mixed media artist Harriet Lawton will return as Installation Artist to share the artwork she created with help of visitors as part of the event last year.
For those wanting to experience the pinnacle of contemporary craft, the Ornament exhibition returns for its third year. This selling exhibition is freshly curated each year, bringing together critically-acclaimed makers, some of whom can be found in the craft collections of the museums and galleries of the North.
Curator Michelle Keeling has worked with artists, museums, galleries and universities to select work from some of the UK’s most critically acclaimed makers and bring it to Manchester for this four-day exhibition.
GNCCF co-founder Angela Mann said: “The GNCCF plays a vital role in championing and promoting contemporary craft and designer-makers at all levels. This is a great opportunity to meet the makers and hear about their work.”
This carefully curated event is perfect for anyone looking to buy the beautiful and unique direct from the makers to those wanting to see work by critically-acclaimed artists.
Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair takes place at artist, Manchester from 6-9 October 2016. The event starts with a special preview evening on Thursday 6 October from 6pm-9.30pm. Following the preview, the GNCCF and the Ornament exhibition will be open to the public from 10am on Friday 7 October to Sunday 9 October.