Contemporary Art, Craft & Design Fair
Contemporary Art, Craft & Design Fair 2008
5-13th July from 10am - 6pm
Cathedral Inner Close
In July 2008, the Inner Close of Winchester Cathedral will host one of the South of England’s biggest designer arts and crafts events. For nine days, the beautiful and historic setting of the Inner Close, with its imposing backdrop of the cathedral, will be transformed into a Mecca for fans of contemporary arts and crafts. Following on from the success of the first event in 2007, this year’s Contemporary Art, Craft & Design Fair will feature the work of over 100 of Britain’s finest craftsmen and women. The event will be quite exceptional because never before in this country have so many Guilds of Craftsmen been brought together under one roof.
This year, along with the return visit of the Guilds from Oxfordshire, Sussex, Surrey, and Somerset, the Fair will welcome for the first time the Hampshire & Berkshire Guild of Craftsmen and a few select members from the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen. With over 90 Guild members participating and a further group of 10 or more outstanding independent craftspeople, the Fair will be visual feast for even the most discerning art aficionado.
Guilds have been in existence for centuries in this country and certain Guilds of Craftsmen have been in existence for over a hundred years – the Somerset Guild and the Gloucestershire Guild both celebrate their 75th Anniversary this year - and the presence of a Guild at any event is a guarantee of work of outstanding quality. Their selection process for new members ensures the highest standards of workmanship are constantly upheld, and the reputation of British crafts maintained. Traditionally, a craftsperson seeking to become a member of a Guild had to have already achieved a very high level of professionalism in their craft and this still prevails with many Guilds today whose members represent some of the finest exponents of their craft. Awe and inspiration are definitely something a visitor can expect to experience at the Contemporary Art Craft & Design Fair!
Preview Evening
Friday 4 July from 6pm – 8pm
Come and meet the artists, be serenaded by some light summer music and enjoy a glass of wine while admiring all the work on display!
Tickets £5 available online from the Cathedral Box Office or by phone on 01962 857 275. Tickets allow unlimited entry thoughtout the Fair.
Ladies Night… (although men most welcome!)
Thursday 10th July 7pm - 9pm.
Join brainstrust at an exclusive private viewing of the Contemporary Art, Craft & Design Fair for an evening of bubbles & nibbles, a contemporary designer fashion show, to include a plethora of handbags, jewellery and accessories, whilst being serenaded by a jazz band as you wander leisurely around. All the clothes featured in the Fashion Show are the work of some outstanding contemporary textile artists from the different guilds.
For more information and tickets please contact:
helen@brainstrust.org.uk
01794 388960
Guild Shops
Sussex Guild
The North Wing
Southover Grange
Southover Road
Lewes
East Sussex BN7 1UF
01273 479 565
Open 7 days a week 10am – 5pm
Surrey Guild
Milford Gallery
1 Mousehill Lane
Milford
Surrey. GU8 5BH
01483 424 769
Open 7 days a week 10.30am -5pm
Gloucestershire Guild
Guild Gallery
The Painswick Centre
Bisley Street
Painswick
Gloucestershire GL6 6QQ
01452 814 745
Open Tues – Sat. 10am - 5pm
The Somerset Guild
The Courthouse Gallery
Market Place
Somerton
Somerset TA11 7LX
01458 274 653
Open Mon – Sat. 10am – 5pm
Oxfordshire Guild
Craft Gallery
7 Goddards Lane
Chipping Norton
Oxfordshire OX7 5NP
01608 641 525
Open Mon – Sat. 10am – 5pm
Hampshire & Berkshire Guild
At present, the Hampshire & Berkshire Guild do not have a permanent shop/gallery.