manchester crat & design centre · 2016. 2. 29. · mcdc's 10th annual mmu graduate solo exhibition...

Manchester Crat & Design Centre

This year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of

our Graduate Solo Exhibition Award, an annual prize

awarded to a Manchester Metropolitan University

graduate who shows exceptional talent and

potential. The award supports designer-makers in the

challenging period between graduation and setting

up their creative business, and includes a year of be-

spoke professional development support from the

MCDC team as well as a solo exhibition. Our 10 win-

ners, from 2006 to 2016 are: Leanne Bramhall, Beth

Essex, Eve Bennett, Jenny Bland, Clare Knox-Betham,

Laura Jane Blake, Joseph Hartley, Elizabeth Jane

Winstanley, Rosie Booth, and Verity Howard.

Our 10th winner's exhibition 'Behind Closed Doors:

Ceramics by Verity Howard' runs from 25 Feb - 29 May

2016 at MCDC. We've programmed 10 celebratory

events, activities and commissions (including this

newspaper) to accompany the exhibition, allowing us

to engage with local emerging makers, provide new

development opportunities, and raise the profile of

our award. Read on for more about these events, as

well as interviews with past winners and the curators

that worked with them.

For event tickets and more information about this

newspaper and our support for graduates, please vis-

it our project website: cratanddesign.com/mmu10.

Celebrating 10 Years of Graduate Talent

2 MCDC's 10th Annual MMU Graduate Solo Exhibition Award

Rosie Booth and MCDC Director Kate Day, 2014

The Annual MMU Graduate Solo Exhibition Award was

set up in 2006, initially for graduates of the 3D Design

degree (it has since been awarded to students from

the Embroidery and Textiles In Practice degree pro-

grammes). Helen Felcey, Programme Leader: MA De-

sign at MMU, was involved in setting up the Award

and her relationship with the Centre and the award

continues to this day. We spoke to Helen about the

impact of the Award on the students:

"The Art School is very grateful for our long-stand-

ing relationship with Manchester Crat & Design

Centre. The benefits that the Centre has brought

to our graduates over many years through work

experience, public engagement events, exhibition

opportunities and a significant number having

held businesses there have all provided fantastic

opportunities to apply the skills they have devel-

oped." - Helen Felcey

Since 2006, three MCDC curators have worked with

the graduates to deliver the 10 solo exhibitions and

give hundreds of hours of one-to-one advice on key

issues such as marketing and pricing, and providing

contacts for new commissions and opportunities. We

caught up with them to find out more about the

award...

Jack Hale:Awards 1 & 2

"Various pressures were leading the Crat & Design

Centre towards becoming a crat shopping centre,

and in order for the Centre to thrive we needed to re-

connect with the wider crat and education sector. We

wanted to support new talent as well as our estab-

lished resident makers and also to freshen up the ex-

perience for the visiting public.

To do this we established a number of new schemes

including a studio supported by Arts Council England,

a studio for use by Manchester City College students,

and the Graduate Award in collaboration with MMU.

The Award both supported the work of newly gradu-

ated students and enabled us to establish a new cu-

rated exhibition programme which was crucial for fu-

ture development of the Centre. I am very happy to

know that 10 years on, the Graduate Award is still go-

ing strong."

Jack Hale is the co-founder of the Manchester Mod-

ernist Society and Editor of The Modernist Magazine.

Kelda Savage: Awards 1, 2, 3 and 4

"It is always an exciting time awarding a prize to a

graduate and offering them an exhibit ion

opportunity. Connecting and working with emerging

talent at the start of their creative career provides a

supportive process for new experiences. I very much

enjoyed working closely with Leanne Bramall, Eve

Bennett, Beth Essex and Jenny Bland to share

thoughts and ideas, practical skills and engage in crit-

ical discussion. Each artist showcased their work in a

solo exhibition and offered talks and workshops for

visitors to MCDC. As an established venue, MCDC was

able to form and build a strong relationship with

MMU which has gone from strength to strength."

Kelda is an independent curator and works with Wa-

terside Arts, Creative Industries Trafford, and the

Great Northern Contemporary Crat Fair, amongst

other projects.

Dena Bagi: Awards 5, 6, 7

"It is only ater being asked to write some words on

the MMU graduate prize, that I can see how important

the Award is, both for the makers' professional devel-

opment and for MCDC, as an artist-incubator. The de-

velopment and delivery of a solo show as a recent

graduate is a great opportunity - not only for expo-

sure, as people oten think - but for the professional

development that this creative process provides. It

also gives MCDC a chance to spot, support and track

these makers through their ongoing career's. They

engage in CPD programmes, become resident

makers, and secure other creative opportunities at

the Centre.

The prize also awards makers' support outside of the

Centre. Take Joe Hartley, the last MMU prizewinner

during my time at the Centre, for example. He has

featured in my professional practice since leaving, se-

curing exhibitions and community engagement roles

at the British Ceramics Biennial. I'll look forward to

seeing how makers, like Joe, can be supported by

MCDC development opportunities over the next 10

years."

Dena is now the Community and Education Pro-

gramme Manager at the British Ceramics Biennial.

Kaylee Jenkinson - Awards 7, 8, 9, 10

"I've been lucky enough to work with four of the grad-

uate winners - starting my role here half way through

Joe Hartley's exhibition. The degree show is a yearly

highlight for me - seeing the wide range of work and

talking directly to the students about their portfolios

and plans for the future is always exciting. Plus of

course their reactions to winning the Award is always

a joy - Liz Winstanley's response will take a lot of

beating I think! Spending a year working with the

winning maker and seeing their work evolve is really

rewarding. Supporting talented graduates is a key

part of what we do here, and it is something that's

grown throughout the past 10 years both in our exhi-

bition space, on our website, and through our

studios. We are proud to be talent spotters for the fu-

ture generations of crat and design makers!"

Dena Bagi presents Joe Hartley with his award in 2012

10 Years, 10 Awards

3MCDC's 10th Annual MMU Graduate Solo Exhibition Award

Each year, along with other industry professionals,

we are invited each to view the students' work before

the Manchester School of Art Degree Show opens to

the public. Intrepid award-hunters head out across

the University in search of their winners - prizes are

also given by the Royal Exchange Crat Shop, Blue-

coat Display Centre, Makers Dozen, Ferrious, and

GNCCF amongst others. Students stand with their

work and talk to the judges - we're always interested

in what's inspired the student, how they made their

work, and whether they have any post-graduation

plans.

We spoke to Joe McCullagh, Head of Design and Asso-

ciate Dean for Learning and Teaching at the Manch-

ester School of Art, about the Award reaching this

special anniversary:

"This Award is a very special and celebratory one

being the 10-year anniversary. The Award is a vital

career boost for our award-winning students

where their creativity and individual talent is be-

ing recognised by an institute so well respected as

MCDC. This fantastic Award with its mentorship

and support helps our students in the ever-chal-

lenging space between leaving university and get-

ting started being a designer/maker. Importantly,

the Award also emphasises the importance of crat

and design today and its investment in the makers

and designers of the future. This important rela-

tionship between MCDC and Manchester School of

Art/MMU is a unique one, not only for the region

but for crat importance nationally. The Award en-

ables us to work together to celebrate all that is

truly great about crat and design. We wish every-

one a happy 10-year anniversary to past, present

and future award winners. - Joe McCullagh

We asked what advice our winners would give to students in their final year. Here's what they said…

"If you're in your third year right now make use of the

facilities, become familiar with equipment and keep

in touch with tutors and peers. When you graduate

don't stop, collaboration really is a great way to make

things happen. I formed a contemporary crat collec-

tive, MidConversation, for three years with fellow Em-

broidery graduates Elizabeth Atherton & Lucy Crow-

der. It saw us create works for the likes of The Muse-

um Of Science & Industry and The National Trust and

has formed the foundation of 90% of applications

and proposals I make now. It is always fun to be

working towards deadlines with other people too!" -

Laura Blake

"Don't rely on an opportunity finding you; it is very

much about you creating them for yourself. Make

contacts, and keep seeking out opportunities." -

Rosie Booth

"Start thinking of yourself as a practitioner, not just a

student! Start professionalising your practice NOW.

I've seen a lot of graduates hold themselves back

from opportunities because they don't feel ready as

they've only just graduated, but don't wait! No-one in

the creative sector really cares how long ago you

graduated as long as your work is innovative, creative

and interesting." - Clare Knox-Bentham

"Don't panic and work hard. If you enjoy what you're

working on and it interests you then you'll do well.

Have confidence in your own work and trust your

own judgements about your work's integrity."

- Verity Howard

"Just get involved with stuff that's going on, if you

cant find it, start it!! Then people will find you...

Speak to everybody and don't dismiss opportunities

on face value and remember that you are an exten-

sion of your work and vice versa, so be there around

it whenever you can to talk about it and enrich it with

your personality." - Joe Hartley

"Take opportunities that come your way and keep ap-

plying yourself to what you enjoy most about your

work. That will drive you to make pieces that you en-

joy the most!" -Beth Essex

"Throughout school, college and early university I al-

ways strived to get top marks but never seemed to

achieve them. It was a challenging journey. I oten felt

like I wasn't quite good enough but I never gave up. I

embarked on my final year with a different attitude. I

believed in myself and drew strength from within, fo-

cusing on the power of positive projection. Possibili-

ties are only limited by your imagination and you can

achieve absolutely anything you want if you put your

mind to it and work hard. I finally achieved a good

grade. It wasn't just my thinking that changed, I also

let go of striving for a particular outcome and instead

I focused on what I was producing, which in turn re-

sulted in a higher standard of work and I obtained a

place at The Royal College of Art. Work hard, stay fo-

cused, get back up when you've been knocked down,

believe in yourself and your work and most impor-

tantly love what you do." - LizWinstanley

Eve Bennett in her studio (Photo credit: Mark

Heeley Photography)

"Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you can,

I'm always asking questions. And try not to skimp on

materials if you can help it." -Eve Bennett

"1. Have courage in your conviction - it's something

that my ceramics teacher always said to me and real-

ly resonates with me, even now! And 2: Make the

most of the facilities and expertise available - explore

and learn as it's unlikely that you will ever have those

at your fingertips again." - Leanne Bramhall

Liz Winstanley's exhibition coming to life for

Northern Quarter Ater Dark 2014

1st winner Leanne Bramhall's exhibition, 'A Coastal

Archive' in 2007 (Photo credit: Kelda Savage)

Who's next..?!

Key things we look for in a winner include passion,

enthusiasm, commitment, and scope for develop-

ment - on top of ambitious, unique and well-made

work that has a clear signature style. This year's De-

gree Show takes place from 11 - 22 June 2016 across

the Benzie, Grosvenor and Chatham Buildings (MMU

All Saints Campus). We'll pick our 11th winner at the

private view on Friday 10 June - keep an eye on our

website and to see who we choose!

It could be you...


Award 2 - 2007

3D Design

Beth combined textiles, porcelain and metal to make

delicate jewellery pieces influenced by research into

family heirlooms. Using traditional textile skills

passed down from her mother, Beth's sentimental

pieces also questioned people's attitudes towards

sentimentality in today's 'throwaway' culture. Beth's

exhibition was held from 11/04/08 - 28/06/08. Beth

was awarded the prize for the sensitivity shown in her

use of materials and techniques - porcelain, silver

and silk threads - using knitting, crochet, knotting,

soldering and drawing.

What are you doing now? I have totally changed my

field of work for lots of reasons. I got a different de-

gree and now work in prosthetics down in the South

West.

Tell us a bit about your degree show: Setting up the

degree show was stressful but exciting. I had a cabi-

net of porcelain and metal pieces and silk, metal and

pearl jewellery. I remember being so pleased when it

was all set up, lit up bits sparkled. Then standing

back thinking: phew, made it in time!

When I was awarded the solo show I was thrilled to

bits! MCDC is a place I came to as a child and remem-

bered the glass roof and light - I grew up abroad and

saw MCDC on a visit so ending up exhibiting there

was pretty special.

How was winning the Award important to you and

your career following graduation? The exhibition

put me in contact with the public that were interest-

ed in seeing and buying my work, and also with the

makers within MCDC. It was lovely to talk about my

work and flattering to sell it. The exhibition started

my career as a jeweller; from it I gained confidence

for other exhibitions and it set things rolling for me.

Have you stayed in touch with MCDC? I am still in

touch with different makers at MCDC as I worked

there during my degree and following my exhibition

for a few years.

Although for a number of different reasons I changed

career into healthcare I am still so grateful and glad

that I exhibited my design work at MCDC.

Eve Bennett

What are you doing now? I'm currently on maternity

leave, but I work for Clarks HQ in Somerset as an e-

commerce visual merchandiser managing their Ger-

man website (Clarks.de).


your career following graduation? The Award gave

me lots of exposure and led to some fantastic oppor-

tunities to exhibit around the UK. It was an excellent

experience learning about curating an exhibition with

the added support and expertise from MCDC.

Have you stayed in touch with MCDC? Since win-

ning the Award and graduating from MMU, I relocated

to Bristol so unfortunately haven't been in close con-

tact with MCDC. However, whenever I visit Manch-

ester I make a point of calling in to see what's going

on - it's such a fantastic resource!

Jewellery by Beth Essex

Leanne Bramhall

Award 1 - 2006

3D Design

Leanne created site-specific installations that ex-

plored the coastline of the Isle of Man. She created re-

sponses to the environment by using clay, visual

study, reflection, and evaluation, and was influenced

by tidal-graphs, coastal textures from discarded ob-

jects and colours from boats, ropes, and buoys.

Leanne's exhibition was called 'A Coastal Archive' and

ran from 06/04/07 - 23/06/07. MCDC commissioned

Leanne to produce a new piece of work for the exhibi-

tion, and invited the public to see her working on the

installation.

Eve Bennett's owls. Photo: Mark Heeley

Photography

Award 3 - 2008

3D Design

www.facebook.com/EveBennettCeramics

Eve won the award for her degree show collection of

handmade lifesize ceramic dead birds, which illus-

trated a tragic (yet humorous) childhood story. Eve's

work is both whimsical and touching as a result, com-

memorating those who have shaped her life by gath-

ering stories and items of sentimental value, and cre-

ating installations which celebrate both the living

and the dead. Eve's exhibition was called 'Head Full

of Magic' and was on at MCDC from 16/05/09 -

01/08/09. The exhibition featured groups of little

porcelain mice dotted around the building, butter-

flies displayed in traditional museum cases, ceramic

dead birds and frogs in cabinets, alongside other ob-

jects which told touching stories. Eve's ceramic 'Dead

Birds' are on permanent display at MCDC in the front

staircase.

What are you doing now? I moved to Stafford to be

closer to my family and I have set up a ceramic

studio.

Tell us a bit about your degree show: My mother

Cynthia passed away in 2007 whilst I was studying at

University. I decided to commemorate her life

through a ceramic medium illustrating a family inci-

dent narrated by my father Ian Bennett. I tried to

choose a subject matter for this installation that

would inspire an emotional response from the

viewer. I used ceramics as a vehicle to represent a se-

ries of childhood memories.


your career following graduation? It was a proud

honour to win this award and to celebrate my

mother's life. I distinctly recall how in awe I was when

I saw the exhibition space. I can still remember how

the natural light filtered through the roof enhancing

the subtle colours of my work (a contrast to the dark

times I had felt whilst creating the work). It helped

me establish more exhibitions, and the knowledge of

setting up shows was invaluable to my future

Here we look back at the 10 award winners, from 2006 to 2016. We asked each winner to tell us about what they're up to now, what they remember from their degree show, and how the prize has impacted their careers.

'A Coastal Archive' by Leanne Bramhall (Photo:

Kelda Savage)

Beth Essex

10 Years, 10 Winners


Award 6 - 2011

Embroidery

www.laurajaneblake.com

Laura brings form to life through the construction

and animation of textile sculptures, inspired by

movements in both natural and industrial

landscapes. Laura's award-winning sculptures were

based on industrial sacks which she saw hanging and

inflating with the wind on a building site in Manch-

ester. She watched them change shape and alter with

the wind, and recreated the movement using indus-

trial textile construction techniques, hand-dyed poly-

cotton and chiffon. Laura's exhibition, 'Anti Sculp-

tures', was on display at MCDC from 03/03/12 -

21/04/12. Laura exhibited her Anti-Sculptures along-

side programmed domestic fans and development

drawings which resulted from an artist residency in

Istanbul.

What are you doing now? I'm now living and work-

ing freelance in London. Since graduating from Em-

broidery BA (Hons) I went on to study Joinery at col-

lege for two years which saw the type of freelance

work I do become much more technician based. In

Jenny Bland

Eve Bennett, 'Spectacles'

Award 4 - 2009

3D design

Jenny's degree show 'SPUN' collection included a se-

ries of pendant lighting shades wound like bobbins

using the rotations of a record player to produce the

unique design. Her shades were hung in clusters of

varying shapes, colours and sizes. Jenny designed a

machine which ran thread through resin, removed

the excess, and then guided it onto the removable

wooden former that spins on a turntable; a produc-

tion process designed to be enjoyed just as much as a

live working spectator piece. During her final degree

show, she presented live demonstrations of the SPUN

process.

Jenny's exhibition 'SPUN' was on from 13/02/10 -

19/06/10. The exhibition showcased the SPUN collec-

tion alongside huge woven teardrop-shaped pen-

dants and a new range of bowls and interior acces-

sories. MCDC curators at the time described Jenny as

a "bright new talent with an unrivalled enthusiasm

for her work."

Laura Blake's Anti-Sculptures exhibition

Laura Blake

Clare Knox-Bethham's EVA drawings

Award 5 - 2010

3D Design

www.clareknoxbentham.co.uk

Clare is fascinated with the Mexican tradition of cele-

brating the dead. She creates large-scale plastic

drawings each celebrating a life, taking inspiration

from the El Da de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festi-

val. Clare hand draws her pieces using an industrial

process of heat-extruding liquid Ethylene-Vinyl Ac-

etate (EVA). The large glue gun-like extrusion tool

heats EVA plastic to a very high temperature and al-

lows it to flow through a nozzle, which she can then

control and draw with. Clare's exhibition, 'The Walk-

ing Dead', was on show at MCDC from 14/05/11 to

27/08/11. Clare created a new site-specific installa-

tion at MCDC of her "plastic doodle" drawings, with

each individual drawing linking together, completing

stories and developing tales.

What are you doing now? I'm still running my own

creative practice but I'm also the Outreach Manager

at Manchester School of Art and the Centre Manager

at Marketplace Studios in Stockport, which is a cre-

ative graduate enterprise hub (www.art.mmu.ac.uk/

marketplace).

Tell us a bit about your degree show: I made a se-

ries of large-scale hangings in bright colours. I REALLY

wanted to win the Crat Centre prize as the Centre

was somewhere I came a lot as a student to be in-

spired, look at how other practitioners were working,

and to think about professionalising my practice. I

was thrilled and a little embarrassed as my friend

Cathy (catherinecarrglass.co.uk) and I appeared to

win most of the crat-based awards - and as a pair of

'mature' (in age only!) students this meant a huge

deal to us.


your career following graduation? It was amazing

to see the work in a professional setting and I learned

a lot working with Dena, the Exhibition Manager at

the time. It was important for me as I started to get

press attention for the exhibition and realised the im-

portance of being associated with such an important

venue in Manchester.

Have you stayed in touch with MCDC? Yes! MCDC is

an important creative hub in the region and I'm there

quite a lot! I'm on the Steering Group of the NW Crat

Network along with MCDC Director Kate Day and I

was also involved with the delivery of the Crats

Council's Hothouse North scheme last year where we

delivered sessions at each other's venues - MCDC and

Marketplace Studios.

Any other memories? I also ran a 'Masterclass' as

part of the prize and remember Kate telling me to re-

member to talk about myself and my background

which I was a little shy about - she said that people

are interested in a maker's story; how they got to be

where they are and making the work that they do.

This was really good advice and I share this with the

makers I work with now.

practice. It was an emotional time yet I felt greatly

supported by the curators, designer-makers and cus-

tomers. I learnt a tremendous lot.

Have you stayed in touch with MCDC? Although I

don't visit as much as I would like, I made a lot of

friends and I do enjoy coming back for cake and con-

versation and it's nice to visit my commission piece

on display in the stairwell.

In speaking to Eve about this anniversary, she has re-

vealed a unique opportunity for you, our readers, to

contribute to her current body of work:

"I kept my mothers glasses on my bedside table

for many years as a constant reminder of my love

for her, an object so scratched and worn I would

look through them trying to capture the residue of

a past life. Every family has a spectacled character

with a story to tell. I am currently collecting stories

by illustrating the essence of these northern tales

using ceramics. If you have a story you would like

to contribute please email me:

[email protected]."

SPUN by Jenny Bland

Clare Knox-Bentham


Liz Winstanley

Award 7 - 2012

3D Design

www.josephhartley.co.uk

Joe's design process is oten a balancing act between

concept, material and process, which occurs at every

step of his creative practice and results in objects that

reveal rather than conceal their making and are both

innovative and honest. Joe's exhibition, 'Every Step:

The Design Process of Joseph Hartley, was on at

MCDC from 23/03/13 - 29/06/13. 'Every Step' show-

cased a range of existing and new work and included

objects from his "The Makery" collection of baking

accessories, alongside his handmade tools and

sketchbooks exploring his making process.

What are you doing now? I am the Project Manager

of The Pilcrow Pub Project, Manchester (www.thepil-

crowpub.com), and core and founding member of de-

sign collective Makers Dozen (www.makers-

dozen.com).

Tell us a bit about your degree show: For my degree

show I produced a collection of objects intended for

using to make bread at home. The collection was

made from wood, cloth and clay, three simple materi-

als intended to mirror the three simple ingredients

used to make sourdough bread: flour, water and salt.

All the items were made by me with my hands. I was

so chuffed to win, I remember having my photograph

taken next to Dena Bagi (see page 2), I was so proud

and I still have the photo now. She really showed en-

thusiasm toward my work from when I was in the first

year. It's amazing to be still working with Dena now

with the British Ceramics Biennial, I owe a lot of what

I get to do now to her.


your career following graduation? Massively so, I

can trace a lot of current professional relationships

back to that show and people still say "oh yeah, you

had that show at MCDC didn't you". They usually

can't believe it was three years ago! I've been in an-

other since then with Makers Dozen.

Have you stayed in touch with MCDC? Yes! And in-

tend to carry on. Makers Dozen have had a show

there, and I try to be involved with the Centre as

much as possible - last year I did a bit for Manifest

Arts Festival, I was very happy to be involved with

that and will look forward to the next one…

Liz Winstanley's degree show centrepiece

my own work I'm developing a new series of textiles

works that combine wood and fabric and a few pri-

vate commissions. Through various exhibitions and

jobs my personal practice has really started to be-

come focused on play-based learning for all ages. I'm

also a Project Designer for Pop-up Parks.

Tell us a bit about your degree show: My degree

show involved a series of inflatable textile forms

called 'Anti-Sculpture'. I'm still really proud of the

work, it has been the basis for the rest of my career to

date. I had no idea I was going to win the Award when

there was a ceremony going on in the 3D department.

I was so exhausted and sleep deprived ater install

and final hand in that I was going to go straight

home. My tutor Kate Egan was weirdly insistent that I

went over there to see it though, and when my name

was read out I realised why!


your career following graduation? The Award from

MCDC was integral. It meant that I instantly had goals

to work for and professional support from the team.

It is that momentum ater graduation that is key to

carrying on. I still wonder now how I should do things

and how I go about them. Art school is amazing but it

is also a complete bubble that oten doesn't prepare

you for working as a professional. When there are

endless possibilities it is difficult to understand what

one should do; having that initial helping hand is

something I'm still so grateful for.

Have you stayed in touch with MCDC? I was fre-

quently popping in to MCDC when I was in Manch-

ester and whenever I'm back up North I try to head

over. It's such a wonderful community and space, I'm

oten going on your website to see what you guys are

up to.

Award 8 - 2013

Embroidery

www.elizabethjanewinstanley.com

Liz uses an experimental and innovative approach

combined with alternative media to push the bound-

aries of embroidery. Each of Liz's artworks feature il-

lusions of line and colour created through light emit-

ting wire and angular patterns, which are then screen

printed onto laser-cut acrylics. Liz's exhibition, 'Tac-

tile Illusions', was on show at MCDC from 15/03/14 -

05/07/14 and featured a number of experimental art-

works developed during her final year at University.

Liz also developed a new commission for the exhibi-

tion based on MCDC's architecture, worked with digi-

tal artist collective 0point3recurring on a projection

mapping installation, and created a stop-motion ani-

mation of the exhibition with photographer Tristan

Poyser.

What are you doing now? I am currently living in

London and studying Textiles Mixed MA at the Royal

College of Art, London. I am in my final year and I am

due to graduate this July. I also have a part time job

at Jamie's Italian to fund my living costs while study-

ing in London.

Tell us a bit about your degree show: I was thrilled

to win the prize, I totally didn't expect it at all. Ulti-

mately winning the prize gave me a confidence boost.

It was as if all my hard work was being acknowledged

and that what I had been doing for the past three

years was good, and people within the industry

thought that. I remember talking to the MCDC staff

about my work before the Award was announced, I

was very nervous but they all made me feel comfort-

able. Little did i know that this was the beginning of a

hugely positive relationship.


your career following graduation? I feel that the

MCDC staff nurtured me following my graduation.

Graduating is a hugely daunting task but I had the

staff's support and they taught me a lot when it came

to various aspects of exhibiting within a gallery. Not

only that but I gained more opportunities through

working with them, such as collaborations with Impe-

rial War Museum North and 0point 3recurrin for

Northern Quarter Ater Hours 2014.

Have you stayed in touch with MCDC? I will always

stay in touch with the MCDC staff, they are more than

colleagues - they are friends. I hope to re-exhibit

there in the future ater completing my Masters and I

will always be open to any opportunities to work with

them again. Whenever I come back to Manchester I

always pop in to see them and I always will in the fu-

ture. I have invited them down to my WIP show here

in London and I will be doing the same again for my

end show. I always know that I can email Kaylee at

any time with any question and she will always do

her best to help me and answer any questions.

Joe Hartley's 'The Makery'

Joe Hartley


Award 10 - 2015

3D Design

www.verityhowardceramics.com

Verity's slab-built ceramic forms are inspired by her

fascination with people's lives and activities. Each

piece features a monoprinted or stamped glimpse

through a window. Verity's exhibition is called 'Be-

hind Closed Doors' and is on show at MCDC from

25/02/16 - 29/05/16. The exhibition features pieces

made for Verity's final project at University alongside

new work made during a 2015 residency at Guldager-

gaard: The International Ceramic Research Center in

Denmark.

What are you doing now? I currently have a studio

s p a c e a t A r t s i t e 3 S t u d i o s i n H e r e f o r d

(www.artsite3.com), a not-for-profit unit of studios

with 16 artists. I work there and also have a part time

job at an organic café in Hereford. Next month I am

hoping to start working one day a week in Hereford

Hospital running ceramics classes to further my expe-

rience in Arts for Health.

Tell us a bit about your degree show: My degree

show was made in response to photographs I had

taken which captured glimpses into people's lives.

The forms I made captured a sense of stillness, ab-

sence of presence and being the outsider looking in.

They also convey the volume and depth of darkness. I

felt very lucky and honoured to receive the Award

and very pleased that someone who didn't know me

or know my work had responded to it, understood it

and liked my work enough for it to be selected. Fur-

thermore I was thrilled at the prospect of a solo exhi-

bition to give me something to work towards and also

to have such a great platform and exposure for my

work.


your career following graduation? I felt very lucky

to have a solo show for such a long period of time

and with such good exposure in the city that I

studied. I used to look around MCDC as a student and

never imagined that I would be showing my work

there. The Award has helped me in my career ater

graduation as winning the bursary has enabled me to

buy materials and equipment. Furthermore it has

helped me set up my studio space immediately ater

graduating. It has also been nice to know that I could

get advice by approaching MCDC. I feel this mentor-

ing provides a valuable link between the tutor sup-

port of University and life ater graduation.

Thank you!

We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone that

has contributed stories, memories and images to this

newspaper. Speaking to our predecessors Jack,

Kelda, and Dena has been inspiring and has demon-

strated how far MCDC has come over the past 10

years of graduate support. Our winners - Leanne,

Beth, Eve, Jenny, Clare, Laura, Joe, Liz, Rosie and Ver-

ity have been so generous sharing their stories; it's so

interesting to see how 10 people have launched their

careers from the same platform yet gone on to

achieve such different things. Thanks must also go to

our Resident Makers for the support they give our Fu-

ture Makers and the many University students who

visit throughout the year.

Lastly, thank you to our funders, without whom this

10th anniversary programme wouldn't have been

possible: The Radcliffe Trust, Manchester School of

Art, Arts Council England, and Manchester City Coun-

cil. Without their contribution we couldn't offer the

level of support that we are able to give to our win-

ning graduates, or the hundreds of other young and

emerging makers that we see here at MCDC every

day. - Kate Day (Director) & Kaylee Jenkinson (Ex-

hibitions & Events Officer), MCDC.

Verity Howard in her studio at Artsite 3

Award 9 - 2014

Textiles in Practice

www.rosemarybooth.com

Rosie's paper and aluminium 'drawings' feature com-

plex patterns made up of tiny perforated holes, all

produced by hand through a slow and meditative

process. The intricate patterns in her paper work are

made using pins, and with the aluminium pieces each

hole is hammered using a bradawl and a mallet to

create something more textural and sculptural.

Rosie's exhibition, 'Mesmerised', was on at MCDC

from 14/05/15 - 30/08/15 and featured three of

Rosie's intricate drawings, a new aluminium commis-

sion, and the pierced paper pieces which so im-

pressed MCDC at her final degree show.

What are you doing now? I am now living back in my

hometown, Wakefield. This year I've been working on

commissions, festivals and a solo exhibition as well

as developing my art practice. I'm also a part time

sales assistant at the arts and crat store Fred Aldous

in Leeds. My main focus recently has been making

more pieces, trying out new materials, and I've just

recently had a solo exhibition at the Prema Arts Cen-

tre in Dursley.

Tell us a bit about your degree show: For my degree

show I had two large scale pieces of work. One was a

large roll of paper which I'd spent about three weeks

punching small holes into using pins to create a very

intricate pattern. This was then hung in a window so

the imagery would be illuminated by the natural light

coming through. My second piece was also a paper

piece but placed on a light box on the ground instead.

I'd preferred the light box piece because the light

coming through was much brighter and showed more

clearly the magnitude of holes punched through and

the level of detail. It was amazing to see the response

to my work and seeing people appreciate the effort

that had gone into it. This was a first for me because

nobody had seen my work outside the university stu-

dios so to get such a nice response was so pleasantly

surprising and quite an overwhelming experience.


your career following graduation? It was important

to me because however good the experience of art

school is, you still have to create your own path ater

your degree where there is no certainty of stability

and you're away from the comforts that you get from

University. To have a solo exhibition straight ater

graduating was an amazing opportunity, giving me a

real sense of belonging and it opened many doors.

The amount of support I got really helped me for fu-

ture exhibitions too.

Have you stayed in touch with MCDC? I stay in

touch even though I moved back to Wakefield. I still

get advice and support from Kaylee too which I really

appreciate. Since the exhibition, my artwork has

been displayed in the Sevendale House building for

Echo PR which MCDC helped with. I have also attend-

ed one of their creative business workshops. And of

course I look forward to seeing the 10th Graduate

winner's work in their solo exhibition!

The aluminium centrepiece of 'Mesmerised by Rosie

Booth'

Verity Howard

Rosie Booth

One of Verity Howard's degree show ceramics


Elsa Frere, Future Maker in &made (studio 21)

Behind Closed Doors: The launch

25 Feb 2016, 6-8pm (Free)

Join us for the launch of our exhibition 'Behind

Closed Doors' which will be opened by Professor

David Crow, Dean of the Faculty of Art & Design at

Manchester School of Art and will feature music from

our Resident DJ Ailsa McLaggan of Living Room

Dance Club and drinks from The Duppy Share.

Drop-in ceramics workshop

2 April 2016, 10am-4pm (Free)

Join us throughout the day to make your own little

clay masterpiece... Be inspired by 'Behind Closed

Doors' and join Verity Howard in this free drop-in

workshop. Verity will teach you how to monoprint

your sketches onto porcelain, a technique which she

uses to make her own work.

Maker Meet Up

17 March 2016, 6-8pm (£5)

Join us for an evening of networking, one-to-one ad-

vice, and idea-sharing for students, graduates and

emerging makers. With support from the North West

Crat Network, we'll have experts and professionals

on hand to help answer your questions about mar-

keting, working with galleries, making the most of op-

portunities, and different career options for makers.

Come along and meet other like-minded people - you

never know where your conversations will lead.

Creative Business Development workshop:

Moving On…

13 April 2016, 2-5pm (£15)

Leaving University can be scary - but we're here to

help. Creative Consultant Jenny Rutter will help you

make the shit from student to professional mindset,

looking at perfecting that 'elevator pitch', creating

your artist CV and profile, and how to present your-

self and your work in a professional context.

Talk: Exhibition tour with Verity Howard

27 April 2016, 1:30pm (Free)

Verity will lead our monthly 'Crat Unravelled' exhibi-

tion tour, sharing stories and the inspirations behind

her work.

If you're visiting MCDC as a group, why not include

one of our bespoke talks and tours? We've developed

a new programme of talks as part of our 10th anniver-

sary celebrations, so give us a call ahead of your visit

to see how we can make it unique.

Manchester Ater Hours: Behind Closed Doors

12th May 2016, 6-8pm with performances: 6:30pm

and 7:30pm (Free)

We've joined forces with Brighter Sound to commis-

sion musician Avital Raz to compose a piece of music

in response to 'Behind Closed Doors'. The sound

piece will capture the intrigue of Verity's work and

connect with Avital's unnerving musical style to cre-

ate an original and thought-provoking Ater Hours

performance. The commission celebrates both MCDC

and Brighter Sound's respective talent development

programmes, focusing on celebrating and profiling

the work of exciting up-and-coming artists.

Collaborative artwork commission

We've commissioned Verity to work with our Resident

Maker Ella McIntosh (THIS IS PEWTER) to make a

unique artwork celebrating 10 years of our Graduate

Award. Pewter is a widely recognised as the tradition-

al git for 10th wedding anniversaries, so we set Ella

and Verity the challenge to collaborate in a brand

new way for both of their creative practices. Keep an

eye on our website and social media for insights into

their design processes and details of the final

artwork.

Verity Howard short film

We visited Verity in her studio at Artsite 3 in Hereford

to learn more about what inspires her and how she

works. You can see this film in the 'Behind Closed

D o o r s ' e x h i b i t i o n o r o n o u r w e b s i t e :

cratanddesign.com/mmu10.

Future Makers

Each year our Resident Makers visit degree shows

across the country, choosing their future crat and de-

sign stars. Our makers generously share their studios

and expertise with new graduates, showcasing and

selling their work to over 35,000 MCDC customers and

visitors. Our 2016 Future Makers have graduated from

seven different University degrees, including 3D De-

sign, Textiles in Practice, and Illustration with Anima-

tion from Manchester School of Art - as well as Con-

temporary Design Crats at Hereford College of Arts

and Metalwork and Jewellery Design at Dublin's Na-

tional College of Art and Design. They are:

Jeweller Mark Newman (Studio 1), mixed media artist

Lydia O'Sullivan (Studio 4), illustrator and textile

printmaker Lydia Mary (Studio 9 and 'the wire'), glass

artist Kira Meyer (Studio 10-11), jeweller Charlotte

Tracy (Studio 12-13), jewellers Melissa Yarlett and

Mollie Paling (Studio 16-17), ceramicist Josie Sey-

mour-Jones (Studio 20a), illustrator Elsa Frere (Stu-

dio 21), jeweller Laura Scott (Studio 22), and furniture

maker Ella-Mae Sibley Sparling (Studio 23).

Graduate season on our blog

We're taking the celebration of new talent online -

visit our blog at manchestercrat.wordpress.com to

see stories and images from our previous 10 winners,

2016 Future Makers, our 'Behind Closed Doors' exhi-

bition, and more about all of our special anniversary

events and commissions.

About Manchester Crat & Design Centre

Manchester Crat & Design Centre is an unforgettable

place to make, see and buy contemporary crat and

design. Alongside our independent artist studios, we

host ambitious and innovative temporary exhibitions

which showcase the very best of crat and design tal-

ent. We are open seven days a week and offer over

100,000 visitors a year the unique opportunity to buy

directly from our 30 resident makers.

@ManchesterCrat / #BehindClosedDoorsMcr

Events and Commissions

manchester crat & design centre · 2016. 2. 29. · mcdc's 10th annual mmu graduate solo exhibition...

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