Designs Gallery in Castle Douglas stages show plus premier of Modern Heritage Crafts film at special preview
Glasswork and jewellery created by nine young people under the guidance of two leading craft makers is going on show at a special exhibition.
The event is the climax of this year’s Modern Heritage Crafts (MHC) initiative, which is run by Spring Fling, to help maintain Dumfries and Galloway’s position as a vibrant centre for traditional and contemporary craft.
It takes place at Designs Gallery and Cafe, Castle Douglas, from 16 May to 13 June, with a special public preview on Friday, 15 May from 2-5pm when the new MHC film will also be premiered.
The exhibition will feature pieces by young people who have each had intensive mentoring from Amanda Simmons, creator of exquisite and complex kiln formed glass vessels, and Shona Guthrie, whose jewellery often uses cast natural forms. Work by Amanda and Shona will also be shown.
The response from the young people taking part has been tremendous.
Lauren Souter, aged 17, from Eastriggs, who was working with Amanda, said: “I really enjoyed the project and would recommend it. It has helped me decide what I want to do as a career.”
Lydia Reilly, 18, from Auchencairn, who was mentored by Shona, added: “I have gained a whole new set of skills and an experience that I won’t forget. It has also made me interested in taking jewellery making further.”
This was the second year of the MHC project, and participants from 2014 will also be present at the preview.
MHC mingles the traditional and the contemporary, encouraging young people to learn skills and adapt them in a way that’s relevant to their tastes and interests.
Amanda has been highly impressed with the young people taking part and said: “They are inquisitive, bold and hard-working, willing to listen and take in as much as they can in the short time they have with me. They seem to have no fear or pre-conceptions about glass and the machinery we’ve been using, creating work full of energy and meaning.”
“I love my medium and am passionate about teaching my skills to the younger generation as a way of spreading the word about this highly adaptable medium.
“While there are many skills you can learn at university, I feel the chance to work alongside a contemporary craft maker and understand the bigger picture of working full-time in the craft industry is a great opportunity.”
Shona added: “The young people have been brilliant – enthusiastic and ready to learn, with lots of highly creative ideas. I enjoy teaching, and work at Glasgow School of Art a couple of times a week, so it’s been such a pleasure to talk to them and introduce them to basic techniques in jewellery making and design.
“MHC has also been an opportunity to talk to them about other essential aspects of a career as a maker. For example it’s important for creative people to be equipped with the business skills they need to earn a living.
“I hope that they will take away an understanding of making jewellery as a trade and a skill – and one that is far from easy. So much of it is about a way of working that is considered, precise and methodical.”
Leah Black, Spring Fling Director and trained jeweller, started MHC in response to a clear need to provide young people with opportunities for fulfilling careers in a region which has experienced decades of economic decline.
Leah said: “There’s no better way to learn about craft than by working with a maker. Here in Dumfries and Galloway we are lucky to have some extraordinarily talented people like Shona and Amanda who are keen to share their skills.
“The work that’s on show is of a very high quality and really underlines what young people can achieve with the right guidance.
“We really want to encourage people to think about craft as a career, because it gives them such freedom to express their creativity and bring pleasure to so many others.”
In some cases the initiative is intended to help preserve craft practices which are in decline.
MHC initiative is funded by the Holywood Trust and the Heritage Lottery. The exhibition is free to visit and is open from 9.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays.
Gus Carlow, a partner at Designs Gallery and Cafe, said: “We are dedicated to promoting art and craft in Dumfries and Galloway. This exhibition will be a great showcase for two of the region’s best makers, and the very promising young people they have been mentoring.”
It is hoped that it can be expanded beyond its current short and intensive format so that young people can have a one day a week of tuition for a whole year.
Spring Fling is Scotland’s premier open studios contemporary visual art and craft event. The main weekend features 94 studios and takes place from 23-25 May.
