Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

This October sees the return to Manchester of one of the UK’s biggest and most prestigious annual craft shows, the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair.

Now in its 16th year, expect to be wowed with jewellery and fashion accessories to functional and statement pieces for the home from 200 of the most talented makers and designers working in the UK, including printmakers, ceramicists, jewellery makers, textile and glass artists, metal workers and silversmiths as well as furniture & lighting designers. Each of the exhibitors has been specifically selected for their outstanding craftsmanship and talent.

Housed in the iconic splendour of Victoria Baths, the GNCCF is a unique opportunity to view and buy original handmade pieces from established artists as well as new graduate talent showcasing their work for the first time, as well as marvel at the stunning tiled and stained glass interior of this heritage venue.

Make a day of it  – as well as meeting the makers, marvel at the stunning tiled and stained glass interior of this beautiful heritage venue, try your hand in our free craft workshops or sign upto our masterclasses, and contemplate your purchases over a delicious lunch in our on-site cafe.

Buy advance tickets by 30 September to be entered into a prize draw with 4 prizes of £50 to spend at the fair.

Highlights this year include:

·        Green Graduates, with their exciting ideas to heal the planet, including last year’s super-successful Matzero ( www.matzero.com ). Discovered whilst exhibiting at GNCCF22, product design student, Sri Hollema, is taking huge strides to improve living conditions for displaced refugee communities with her ingenious solar-powered heated mat. Her design has secured over £1m in backing and is being rolled out as we speak!

·        Work by eminent artists selected for The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust www.qest.org.uk which this year includes contemporary furniture designer Sofia Karakatsanis and fine enamel jewellery from Harry Forster Stringer.

·        A showcase of new work by the Birmingham Institute of Jewellery, Fashion & Textiles, including the intricate and unusual art of watchmaking, as well as recent MA graduates from Manchester School of Art.

·        Free maker demos and hands-on textile and print workshops, as well as bookable masterclasses to learn new craft techniques led by leading makers.

·        Table-ware by Sue Pryke, guest judge on TV’s Great Pottery Throwdown.

·        A new initiative to showcase and sell the work of small Northern businesses that make supplies for the craft industry, including popular materials and craft-kits.

·        An ongoing collaboration with the Manchester-based Oasis charity, bringing together 70 clients, including the homeless, people living with long-term mental health conditions and asylum seekers, who have each created a unique mug that tells their story, to be exhibited at the show.

·        Onsite café, selling delicious lunches and snacks from an all-new menu of local produce.