English

Crafts Council selects 40 new makers for Hothouse scheme

Report this content

The Crafts Council announces the 40 makers selected to start the Hothouse programme in 2013 which will be run in partnership across four regions.

Hothouse selects the brightest new craft talent from across the UK and provides them with a tailor-made six-month programme of creative and business support.

In a marketplace where the bespoke and handmade is being recognised and celebrated by global brands the skill and knowledge of the individual maker becomes ever more powerful.

The Hothouse scheme is for makers within two years of setting up their business who already display a high level of technical craftsmanship and originality and need support for the next phase of their business and creative development. 

Forty makers from across the UK have been selected to embark on the Hothouse scheme that will begin in 2013 and be delivered via four regional cohorts (South West, North, East and London). Makers include;

  • Thomas Appleton (east cohort) who uses traditional stone-carving methods and lettering fonts to illustrate unorthodox and playful messages and slogans
  • Catherine Carr (north cohort) who combines traditional textile skills and glass by knitting or crocheting fibreglass which is then heated and manipulated to create formed glass vessels
  • Neil Marlow (London cohort) whose jewellery is influenced by a hotchpotch of colourful and energetic sources including comic book art, jet engines, space rockets and 1950’sAmerica.
  • Claire-Anne O’Brien (south west) who makes furniture and interior accessories combining oversized vibrant hand-knit forms using British wool.

Full list of makers;

South-West cohort

Catherine Aitken (product and furniture), Emma Calvert (jewellery), Laura Grain (mixed media), Rosie Hofman (jewellery), Kim Norton (ceramics), Claire-Anne O’Brien  (textiles and furniture), Paul Stopler (glass), Keith Varney (ceramics), Annabel Williams (textiles) and Umut Yamac  (product and furniture)

North cohort

Greig Alderman (jewellery), Grant Aston (ceramics), Catherine Carr (glass), Fay Jenkinson (jewellery), Anne Laycock (ceramics), Drew Markou (jewellery & object), Sarah Pasley (silver), Kirsty Pearson (jewellery), Naomi Robinson (ceramics), Jill Shaddock (ceramics)

East cohort

Thomas Appleton (stonecutting & lettering), Jane Cairns (ceramics) Leigh Cameron (furniture), Victoria Carter (textiles), Miche Follano (ceramics), Hayley Gammon (glass), Jennifer Gray (jewellery), Leanne Lucas (textiles), Fay McCaul (textiles) Alice McLean (jewellery)

London Jewellery & Metal cohort

Sanni Falkenberg (lapidary and jewellery) Grace Hamilton (jewellery), Annabelle Lucilla (jewellery), Agnes Jones (metal), Martin Keane (metal) Neil Marlow (jewellery), Heather McDermott (jewellery) Naomi McIntosh (jewellery),  Suzanne Rogers (jewellery), Sophie Stamp (jewellery) 

Quotes

“Hothouse has proved a very successful scheme since its launch two years ago. Hothouse alumni have already had significant career successes including showcasing work at London Design Festival in 2011 and the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in 2012.  We are confident that all those selected for Hothouse 3 will continue the high standard set by their predecessors.” Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director, Crafts Council

 “Selecting the participants was challenging and thought-provoking. They were all of a very high standard and decisions did not come easily. However we now have a group that encompasses traditional and innovative techniques along with exciting making and business ideas. Our job now is to support them on the next part of their journey.” Saffron Wynne, Exhibitions Manager, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, partner on South West cohort

“I was very impressed with the commitment and quality of work of the makers and Smiths Row is very much looking forward to working with such a vibrant and talented group.” Alison Plumridge, Director, Smiths Row, partner on East cohort

“I was delighted for Bluecoat Display Centre to be involved in the partnership with the Crafts Council, Liverpool Hope University, Yorkshire Art Space - all organisations that I admire. The education and professional development of emerging artists is something we keenly believe in. As an independent registered charity, that exhibits and sells the highest standard of contemporary craft, one of our aims is to assist makers in realising their full potential and in establishing sustainable business models for the future." Maureen Bampton, Director, Bluecoat Display Centre, partner on North cohort

“As a partner for Hothouse 3, benchpeg is delighted to be assisting in the support of emerging businesses, which aligns perfectly with benchpeg's ethos. The quality of the shortlisted candidates was outstanding and we made some difficult decisions in selecting those who the panel thought would benefit long term from Hothouse.  We are absolutely delighted with the cohort we have chosen, we believe that between them they have diverse and interesting strengths and talents that will help them pull together as a group and make the most of this unique opportunity.”  Rebecca Van Rooijen and Karin Paynter, benchpeg, partner on London Jewellery & Metal cohort

Images

Available on request – email media@craftscouncil.org.uk

Twitter

Forty makers selected for @CraftsCouncilUK #Hothouse3 - supporting new British craft talent

Ends

For further information please contact Jill Read, Communications Manager +44 (0) 20 7806 2549 /media@craftscouncil.org.uk

Notes to Editors

  • This is the third year of Hothouse – 45 makers have successfully completed the scheme since 2010.
  • Hothouse is one of five initiatives that make up Collective – the Crafts Council’s portfolio of schemes delivered with regional partners that support makers throughout their careers. For more information on Collective click here
  • The Crafts Council has been supporting makers for 40 years.

About the Crafts Council

  • The Crafts Council’s goal is to make the UK the best place to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft. 
    • We believe that craft plays a dynamic and vigorous role in the UK’s social, economic and cultural life. 
    • We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to make, see, collect and learn about craft.
    • We believe that the strength of craft lies in its use of traditional and contemporary techniques, ideas and materials to make extraordinary new work.
    • We believe that the future of craft lies in nurturing talent; children and young people must be able to learn about craft at school and have access to excellent teaching throughout their education.
  • The Crafts Councilis supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
  • Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2011 and 2015, we will invest £1.4 billion of public money from government and an estimated £0.85 billion from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk

Links Stool by Claire-Anne O’Brien, Photo: David Benque

Media

Media

Quotes

“Hothouse has proved a very successful scheme since its launch two years ago. Hothouse alumni have already had significant career successes including showcasing work at London Design Festival in 2011 and the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in 2012. We are confident that all those selected for Hothouse 3 will continue the high standard set by their predecessors.”
Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director, Crafts Council
“Selecting the participants was challenging and thought-provoking. They were all of a very high standard and decisions did not come easily. However we now have a group that encompasses traditional and innovative techniques along with exciting making and business ideas. Our job now is to support them on the next part of their journey.”
Saffron Wynne, Exhibitions Manager, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, partner on South West cohort
“I was very impressed with the commitment and quality of work of the makers and Smiths Row is very much looking forward to working with such a vibrant and talented group.”
Alison Plumridge, Director, Smiths Row, partner on East cohort
“I was delighted for Bluecoat Display Centre to be involved in the partnership with the Crafts Council, Liverpool Hope University, Yorkshire Art Space - all organisations that I admire. The education and professional development of emerging artists is something we keenly believe in. As an independent registered charity, that exhibits and sells the highest standard of contemporary craft, one of our aims is to assist makers in realising their full potential and in establishing sustainable business models for the future.
Maureen Bampton, Director, Bluecoat Display Centre, partner on North cohort
“As a partner for Hothouse 3, benchpeg is delighted to be assisting in the support of emerging businesses, which aligns perfectly with benchpeg's ethos. The quality of the shortlisted candidates was outstanding and we made some difficult decisions in selecting those who the panel thought would benefit long term from Hothouse. We are absolutely delighted with the cohort we have chosen, we believe that between them they have diverse and interesting strengths and talents that will help them pull together as a group and make the most of this unique opportunity.”
Rebecca Van Rooijen and Karin Paynter, benchpeg, partner on London Jewellery & Metal cohort