Press Release 28 | 10 | 24
Making It 2025
Showcasing Emerging Artists, Makers and Designers in the Southwest
25thJanuary to 8thMarch 2025
Dawn Vessel, organically forged metal sculpture by Willow Bloomfield
Beginning their 2025 schedule of contemporary craft shows, and as part of their 70thAnniversary events, MAKE Southwest presentsMaking It, an exhibition which celebrates the very best new artists, designers and makers in the region. Held every two years at MAKE's prestigious Jubilee Gallery,Making It​is one of the UKs leading showcases for innovation, diversity and collaboration in craft and making. This year it presents the work of 25 emerging artists who are either self-taught, have undertaken apprenticeships, or are recently graduated, alongside an engaging programme of public and exhibitor events. This regular, biennial exhibition is a valuable springboard for new makers in the Southwest and is just one part of MAKE Southwest's ongoing commitment to supporting artists at every stage of their career. As a registered charity, MAKE works to educate aspiring makers, and to help them develop their practice through professional mentoring opportunities. Most importantly MAKE offers artists the chance to be part of a thriving craft community, and to exhibit their work alongside other emerging and established artists. All MAKE members and exhibitors are peer selected for the quality and originality of their work, and in relation to the standards set by MAKE's Green Maker Initiative, which aims to highlight creatives who are reducing their impact on the environment through their choice of materials and working processes.
Making It 2025includes:
Metalwork byWillow Bloomfield; sculpture byEmily GibbardandJamie Lord; ceramics byRussell Martin; textiles byLily Abbott; photography byMolly Budd; jewellery byClare Maiden,Kaja Bennett,Sarah DruryandRachael Plassard; handmade print byAlice CorileandKathryn Stewart; wood byJohn CrossleyandRichard Crossley; mixed media byMilly Aburrow,Lisa McEleny,Jamie Dun,Nyk Pimm-Smith,Olana Light,Karen Painter,Stephen Spicer,Sirun Chiarini,Francesca Lawrence,Jenny GracieandTyrone Vera. To accompany the show, site-specific art collectiveIn the Makingwill contribute a series of installations and events, including a film outlining their practice.
Porcelain by mixed media artist Karen Painter Recycled paper lighting by Nyk Pimm-Smith
Found object brooch by jewellery maker Kaja Bennett
Pathless Forestnecklace by Rachael Plassard
Works in this show have been selected by organisations includingQEST;Craft Festival/Find a Maker;Arts University Plymouth;Bath Spa University; andRowden Atelier Woodworking School.The associated mentoring programme is supported byThe Radcliffe Trust. All MAKE Southwest exhibitions are supported by Arts Council England.
SeeMaking Itfrom25thJanuary to 8thMarch 2025 at Make Southwest, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9AF, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.For further details, and to book talks, workshops and events, seewww.makesouthwest.org.uk
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Print Ready 300 DPI images for Press Use:
WILLOW BLOOMFIELD Dawn Vessel
KAREN PAINTER Porcelain
NYK PIMM SMITH recycled paper lighting
KAJA BENNETT Found Object Brooch
RACHAEL PLASSARD Pathless Forest Necklace
Editors Notes
MAKE Southwest
MAKE Southwest (formerly Devon Guild of Craftsmen) is an acclaimed exhibition space for contemporary craft and design, as well as a leading charity for craft education. Located on the edge of Dartmoor, it presents in-house and touring contemporary craft exhibitions and events throughout the year.MAKE Southwest was originally founded as Devon Guild of Craftsmen in 1955 by a small group of makers, led by Edward Baly, who were enthusiastic about promoting the best in regional craftwork. Now housed at Riverside Mill in the pretty rural town of Bovey Tracey, MAKE Southwest offers visitors a retail space which sells the work of Member artists, alongside three gallery spaces which exhibit the best in Contemporary British Craft. There is also an onsite café serving light lunches, where well behaved dogs are welcome.
MAKE Southwest is a registered charity with educational aims, and the profits from its trading ventures help to subsidise this work, which includes its exhibition programme, lectures, training opportunities, and outreach projects with local schools and community groups,
Make Southwest, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9AF. Registered charity no. 296568. makesouthwest.org.uk
The Green Maker Initiative
MAKE Southwest's Green Maker Initiative launched in 2021 in connection with the EDRF funded Low Carbon Devon project at the University of Plymouth. The Green Maker Initiative (GMI) asks makers to sign a pledge to improve their environmental actions over time through a series of simple commitments that will reduce their environmental impact year on year. With a growing community of over 270 pledged Green Makers, the GMI's role is to support makers with professional development, networking and learning opportunities. The GMI continues to develop and has widened its focus to include the promotion of the creative and cultural sector as a key part of the climate emergency solution. It has become integral both to supporting makers and informing the public about sustainable crafts through dedicated exhibitions, events and workshops, and the publication of The GMI Book. The GMI has also grown in reputation, enabling us to partner with academic and industry organisations on exciting research and development projects and community engagement activities. This year the GMI sees the launch of a youth arm (Young GMI), working with schools and individuals to teach the next generation about sustainable making materials, methods and techniques.
For details and to view the map see makesouthwest.org.uk/green-maker-initiative
For further press information, interviews or additional images contact Mercedes Smith at Fine Art Communications director@fineartcommunications.co.uk | Tel 07825 270235 | www.fineartcommunications.co.uk
