Local artists and craft makers will have the unique opportunity to learn new skills under the expert guidance of some of the most innovative and accomplished artists from across Europe, during Derry’s celebration of all things creative – the LegenDerry August Craft month.
Bettina Speckner.
A series of master classes will take place in the North West Regional College as part of Derry City Council’s Craft Development programme which aims to promote and develop the craft industry in the North West, building on the foundations of last year’s City of Culture craft programme.
The programme is part-funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, and supported by a number of partner organisations including the Resource Centre Derry and Ilex.
A series of four day master classes focusing on jewellery and textiles led by acclaimed international artists Bettina Speckner, David Clarke, and Soojin Kang will be accompanied by a fascinating lecture delivered by each artist focusing on their latest work.
Speaking ahead of the programme launch, Business Opportunities Manager with Derry City Council, Louise Breslin, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to welcome artists of this calibre to the city, where local makers can learn first-hand the techniques and expertise that place Bettina Speckner, David Clarke, and Soojin Kang at the very forefront of international craft.
“We have a great vision for the North West region as a creative hub, not just on a national scale, but internationally, and it is only by striving to attract the very best talent to the city that we will achieve this aim.
Soojin Kang.
“Through the programme we are also providing equipment for the North West Regional College, which will further promote the craft legacy within the college and hopefully engage even more up and coming young talents.”
The first masterclass, titled Objects Reloaded, will be led by German jeweller Bettina Speckner, whose fascinating and ephemeral works centre on melding the old and the new to create unique pieces, using techniques such as photo-etching, photo-enamelling and ferrotype. Speckner will deliver the master classes from 5-8 August, before giving an insight into her work at the Craft Village Thatched Cottage on Wednesday, 6 August at 6.00pm.
From 12 – 15 August, renowned silversmith David Clarke will tackle the theme, Remake, Rethink and Reuse, teaching some of the techniques that have secured his position as one of the very best contemporary silversmiths.
His transformation of common household objects such as spoons and teapots into covetable objects of beauty is both witty and captivating.
Hear more about David’s work and the latest on contemporary jewellery making during his lecture in the Craft Village on Wednesday, 13 August at 6.00pm.
Finally, Korean-born artist Soojin Kang will be working with textiles in a series of special thread and fabric master classes, taking place from 19-22 August, which will teach new techniques in working with textiles.
Her lecture will take place on Wednesday, 20 August at 6.00pm in the Craft Village.
The masterclasses are only one element in a wide ranging programme of events celebrating the creative industries in the city, and marking August Craft Month, an annual celebration of contemporary craft in Northern Ireland.
A special exhibition titled Reclaim/Repurpose will be taking place throughout the month, featuring the work of a group of ten international craft artists, including David Clarke, Bettina Speckner and Soojin Kang, and curated by local artist Seliena Coyle, who led last year’s massively successful CultureCraft programme.
A three week residency with renowned US artist Boris Bally will also take place throughout the month.
A team of selected makers, students and locals will work with the edgy urban artist in the creation of a collection of street furniture at the 4rS Recycling Centre, which will then be gifted as pieces of public artwork to the city.
And a series of community engagement workshops are currently underway, led by Seliena Coyle and Hilary Doherty, with a number of local community organisations contributing pieces to a beautiful metalwork quilt which will go on public display during August.
Places on any of the master classes must be booked in advance, while lectures are open to the public and are free to attend.
For more information and to book places go to http://www.culturecraft.co.uk/news/2014/7/10/sign-up-masterclasses
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