The Craft Hub project at Swansea College of Art, UWTSD is hosting the Craft Hub Festival – a full programme of events, including the Craft Hub international exhibition of jury-selected contemporary craft from across Europe, until September 26.
With more than 30 workshops and drop-in sessions scheduled at six venues across Swansea, the focus of the festival is on community engagement and social inclusion through craft making. The workshops are being delivered by wonderful craft practitioners from across Europe and tailored to different audiences with the aim of increasing awareness and appreciation of craft as well as encouraging participation of those new to craft.
At each venue, the exhibition is complemented by a further jury-selected range of Craft from the host nation.
The exhibition is complemented by an extensive selection from the Craft Hub Material Library, with samples reflecting different thematic areas, including sustainability. Examples include the innovative use of recycled bottle glass to create beautiful upcycled architectural glass; as well as samples created by visiting makers in our Craft Hub Residency “Wild Colour,” exploring and experimenting with the natural dyeing process. Other themes explored through material enquiry, include heritage, experimentation, and technological innovation.
Alongside the physical Craft, the exhibition will feature a digital display (on screens and accessible through QR codes throughout the Festival venues and catalogue). This includes a wealth of Craft Hub tutorial films, with expert Craft Practitioners guiding the audience through Craft processes such as natural dyeing and screen- printing on textiles; as well as Maker Interview Films, exploring the practice, inspiration, and motivation of leading craft practitioners from across Europe.
Shelley Doolan said:
“All of this activity is just part of the wider Craft Hub Festival in Swansea 15-16 September 2023……In addition, there will be drop-in craft demonstrations and wider opportunities to get involved.”
Mark Cocks, Assistant Dean, Wales Institute of Science and Art said:
“With a long history of teaching craft skills at Swansea College of Art, we have been delighted that our staff and students have been able to work alongside the Craft Hub project over the past few years. Our art school philosophy of blending a diversity of traditional crafts with contemporary practices provides our students with the innovative employability skills demanded in their future creative careers. Therefore, hosting the forthcoming Craft Hub International Festival provides a wonderful illustration of our collaborative practices through the exciting opportunities for our community to view contemporary craft exhibitions and experience workshops with expert makers from across Europe.”
