Monday 16 September 2013

Creative Twinning, CT meet New York, NY!

Thanks to support from Design Factory, THE organisation for UK Designer/Makers, in mid October we're off to New York with four other amazing designers, Katie Almond, Stuart Akroyd, Phiona Richards and Gizella Warburton. In addition, we are  showcasing alongside 12 UK based and 12 US based designers at the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan. Find out more about them by visiting our People page.


At it's heart, the trip is a trade research mission to discover what the US market holds for UK makers, to meet potential buyers and network with local designers. We'll all be there for at least 5 days, and hope to return laden with contacts and opportunities over the pond! I'd be lying if I said there won't be any shopping but for me (Jayne) a highlight will be a stroll along The High Line, a landscaped park built on an old overground freight line through the heart of the city. It looks amazing!

On Thursday 10th October we'll be taking part in a 'Global Craft Conversation' which will take the form of a live video link between Nottingham/ New York/ Karlsruhe (hopefully)! We'll be talking about creating our own opportunities and how these very different cities make that possible. The Nottingham leg of the 'Global Craft Conversation' is being hosted by Broadway Projector, spaces are strictly limited so email Carrie Blake to book a place projector@broadway.org.uk
 

All the threads are coming together and plans we've been making for over 12 months are now reality. Thank goodness for understanding partners and families, we're on the road again!

Rufford Showcase

We were delighted to be invited to showcase our work at Rufford Abbey Country Park. The fantastic Arts Development team at Nottinghamshire County Council have been so supportive of us from the start, and have allowed us to fill the Apsidal Gallery with Creative Twinning work. we'll have work in there until April 2014 on a rolling programme.

The Apsidal Gallery at Rufford Park
So far, we are showing the work of Jayne, Debbie and Hannah. In October, we plan to add work from designers joining us in New York for Twinning events. Finally in March 2014 we will showcase the Creative Twinning designers who will visit us from Karlsruhe and New York.

We are planing a 'Meet the Makers' event  when you can come along and meet the international visitors, see their designs up close and talk to them about their work, hopes and future plans.