This year The Craft Centre and Design Gallery is celebrating its 40th Birthday and is kicking off the celebrations with a very appropriate exhibition called Spring: Blossom 40 Years in the Making.
2022 not only marks gallery’s 40th but also that of Anna Lambert’s time working in ceramics. She makes hand-built earthenware ceramics using a variety of techniques. Whatever the method, the results are stunning. The exhibition runs until 30th April and, as with all the shows at this venue, all the works are for sale. There is more information on how the ceramics are produced on the link at the end of this piece.
As well as the above there are exhibitions by Nick Vostermans of Studio Critical who creates items using locally and sustainably sourced materials, mainly wood, which explains the title of his residency, Wood Showcase, which runs until 16th April.
Kate Brooks Solo Print Exhibition continues until 18th June so you have plenty of time to see her screen prints based on the surroundings of her base in Derbyshire. She takes inspiration from the flowers, trees and wildlife in all four seasons. From my experiences in the 1970s I can vouch that there is some amazing wild life in Derbyshire but I doubt any of it will make it onto one of her screen prints.
On to future events now. The Contemporary Glass Society Showcase: The Joy of Glass, has been divided into two parts, imaginatively named Part 1 and Part 2. The first runs from 23rd April until 4th June and the second from 11th June until 23rd July. I love glass so will be there for those. In fact, my flat is very minimalist with the only ornamentation being a piece of glass I bought from a gallery in Prague some years ago.
Another exhibition in the 40 Years in the Making series is To Have and to Hold which showcases gift ideas for the first ten years of married life; paper, cotton, leather, well, you get the idea. There will also be statement engagement rings, bridesmaid gifts, wedding bands etc. Should you still be together after the tenth year I am sure that there will be an exhibition of slippers, sensible shoes, cardigans and ceramic cocoa mugs coming soon. To Have and to Hold runs from 7th May to 16th July.
Coast: Summer Print Exhibition which runs from 25th June to 1st October, features seascapes from four printmakers; Sarah Harris, Rebecca Drury, Cathy King and Liz Somerville. Each has their own style but all are evocative of the many faces of the seaside. The good thing is that in the gallery it never rains and if you sit outside with a bag of chips, you don’t get attacked by the seagull mafia.
In addition to exhibitions by established artists, you have the chance to create your own masterpiece at a series of workshops. There is the Jesmonite Coaster Making Workshop with Calico Collective on Saturday, 30th April, Agateware Ceramics Vase Workshop with CloD Studio on Saturday, 21st May, Crafting with Nature Workshop with Jane Bevan on Wednesday, 1st June and Woven Wall-Hanging Workshop with Agnis Smallwood on Saturday, 9th July. Duration and prices vary so go to the link below for full details. There is also a window on which you can click to enter the April Giveaway with a chance to win a place on a workshop under £50. You will also find details on how to participate in external creative workshops. I don’t think that that means you will be working in the central reservation of The Headrow but, hey, it will be spring/summer so the weather will be scorching.
OK, here is the link I have been banging on about https://www.craftcentreleeds.co.uk/
The Craft Centre and Design Gallery is situated under Leeds Art Gallery on The Headrow and is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm.
Tyke It To The Limit 