59 contemporary craft designer makers will fill the floors of The Courtyard in Hereford from 13th to 15th November. The work will include; jewellery, textiles, furniture, ceramics, glass, stone carving, basketry, fashion and accessories and metalwork.
National and regional makers will be exhibiting at the Craft Fair with roughly one third from Herefordshire. Visitors are welcomed to this unique opportunity to meet, commission and buy direct from the best of Britain’s designer makers, specially selected for the 22nd annual show.
With the nature of a selected exhibition, the designer makers have already been handpicked and therefore a show of absolute quality is presented. Leoni Linton from Brightstripe – Cultural Health who organises Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair says, “Visitors to the show are able to meet every single maker of the craft they see, bringing to life an object of beauty with an understanding of who made it and how and why they made it, making every purchase personal and special, especially a bespoke commission which virtually all our exhibitors take”.
For exhibitors, they are able to raise their profile within an elite grouping of makers at Hereford’s show, reaching new audiences, making sales, taking commissions and promoting their other services such a tuition as well as networking with creative businesses and gallery owners looking for new talent, “We’re delighted that the show maintains such a strong reputation nationally and locally by makers and visitors which is what keeps us focused on always bringing the best and finding new talent”, Leoni Linton added “In a time that is made so easy to buy thoughtlessly, we’re proud to support and bring new audiences to creative businesses who make original pieces of art, handmade with thought and care, immense skill and pride.”
Visitors and makers alike have the great setting of The Courtyard to relax in between viewing craft, with a superb buzzy café in a warm contemporary building. Complimenting Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair, is an exhibition of photography by Malcolm Scott in the visual arts space at The Courtyard. His exhibition is entitled; Herefordshire Artists, Craftspeople and Musicians at Work. Many of Malcolm’s beautiful photographs feature exhibitors from the Craft Fair, so visitors can see stills of them making their craft.
Every year a prize is awarded to both an exhibitor and visitor, last year Ben Esthop received the Best Product Award for his exquisite classic hardwoods and dynamic resin turned bowls, Ben received a £50 voucher to spend at a Herefordshire Gallery and returns to the show this year. A lucky visitor also won a voucher of £100 to spend. The Visitor Feedback Prize and Best Product Award is sponsored by Kate Renshall and the Friends of Herefordshire Museums and Arts.
Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair 2015 will be open to the public 13th to 15th November:
Friday 13th and Saturday 14th November 10am-5.30pm
and Sunday 15th 10am-5:00pm
Admission:
£4 (or £3 after 4pm), students £1.80, under 16’s are free.
Re-admission for a second day at a reduced rate of £1.80.
Held at The Courtyard Centre for the Arts, Edgar Street Hereford HR4 9JR
