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If only the NCCD was closer to home!

I keep meaning to write about my fabulous trip to the NCCD but life has been so hectic recently it's rather thrown me off my usual routine but here goes at last!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the NCCD, it is the largest venue in England entirely dedicated to the exhibition, celebration, support and promotion of national and international contemporary craft and design. Unfortunately for me it is nearly a 2 1/2 hours drive away in Sleaford, (Notts/Lincs area) so I can't take full advantage of their amazing programme of talks and exhibitions but it is an absolute gem and so wonderful that such a space exists in this current climate of cuts in all things creative.


On the ground floor is a super shop/cafe area which has constantly changing stock of contemporary craft and design pieces to fall in love with and current publications in all things creative which are lovely to browse and/or purchase!


I asked if it would be alright for me to take some photos for this blog so here goes, a good selection of what was on offer in the shop:

The gorgeous simplicity of Jill Shaddock's ceramic pieces in complimentary colours.

Delicious silk scarves by Barinder Gahir

Foto Ceramica's pieces made using original photographs

Bethany Walker's original cement brooches with mixed media are very effective and tactile

 Rachel Foxwell's striking ceramic pieces celebrate bold colours.

Ella Robinson's stitched driftwood pieces are simple yet effective!

Kate Evans has carved plant designs into her effective ceramic pieces.

Emily Notman's mixed media pieces are a fabulous celebration of stitch!

I first discovered Libby Ward's work at Art in Action and then MADE Bloomsbury, great stuff!

Katharina Klug's striking porcelain pieces are inspired by ancient Korean pottery

 I loved Lindsey Tyson's screenprinted pin cushions, so tactile!

There are several floors to the NCCD building and upstairs there were exhibitions and several spaces for workshops, interviews and presentations. I had a good look at the Alphabet Aerobics ceramic exhibition by Anton Alvarez in which he has developed an autonomous manufacturing system which has created the pieces shown below without the artist even needing to be present - fascinating stuff! There is definitely a resurgence in ceramics as I mentioned in a previous blog ( http://julietteorton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/made-london-bloomsbury-design-craft.html )
This exhibition runs until 5th June.



If you appreciate creativity in any way I would definitely recommend a visit to the NCCD!

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