Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design 2017
For more than 30 years there has been one show that has been a firm favourite amongst designer-makers in the UK. The annual Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design has a long tradition of bringing together some of the UK’s finest contemporary cabinet-making under one roof at the Thirlestaine Long Gallery at Cheltenham College in Gloucestershire.
In recent years, it has increasingly become a must-do show for Rowden alumni. The benchmark for entry is set extremely high so being accepted is no mean feat. Jason and Julie Heap strive each year to raise the bar in terms of both the quality of craftsmanship and design. And this year was no exception.
This year’s show began yesterday, as always, with a VIP evening. It was great to see no fewer than seven ex-Rowden students confidently displaying their wares. Christopher Cooper, winner of this year’s Alan Peters Award for Excellence and also the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen Furniture Prize was on great form, proudly discussing his winning design. Matthew Duckworth, winner of the Somerset prize last year, and now part of the Crafts Council Hothouse programme was also exhibiting. Not to mention, Stephen Hickman, Rose Stout and Ronnie Muirhead, alongside Rowden tutors Ed Wild and Jonathan Walter.
I’d call that a pretty good roll call.
The Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design show is on from 19-28 August.
Worth a visit, I’d say.
Until next time,
Lakshmi
