Makers & Tools Project

Makers & Tools Project

Venue

Old Fire Station, Oxford

When

Audience

Open to the Public

Category

Exhibition

Makers & Tools Project

Old Fire Station, Oxford

17 May - 15 June 2019

The Makers & Tools project provides makers with the space and time to take risks in their practice, to explore new ways of collaborative working and to develop skills that will contribute to the success of their careers in contemporary craft.  It provides valuable continuing professional development opportunities for makers in the SW and SE, and makes visible the process of craft to a wider public audience.

The project connects six contemporary craft makers in the early stages of their careers, who undertook a non-verbal conversation through an exchange of objects.

The exhibition of work created during the project opens up the conversation and asks: 

"What happens if a makers doesn't choose their tools? 
What if they are gifted a tool created by another maker? 
What effect does this seemingly benign intervention have on their making process, and what possibilities does this allow?"

The exhibition features new work by:

  • Glass artist Angie Packer
  • Weaver Christabel Balfour
  • Ceramicist Harriet Elkerton
  • Print designer Katy Welsh
  • Jeweller Rachel Jones-Jones
  • Furniture designer/maker Tim Evershed

Alongside the exhibition is a dynamic programme of events aimed at makers, students and craft lovers.

Makers & Tools is coordinated & curated by Melody Vaughan.

It is funded in part by Arts Council England.

The exhibition at Arts at the Old Fire Station in Oxford runs from 17 May - 15 June. 

Events

Curator Talks
Saturday 18 May, Thursday 6 June, Saturday 15 June 2pm
Join project coordinator Melody Vaughan as she gives insight into the creation of the project and the challenges of working with unknown outcomes. 
Click here for more information and tickets.

Crafting Your Career
Wednesday 22 May, 1 – 4pm
A symposium for anyone considering a career in contemporary craft. 
Click here for more information and tickets.

Meet The Makers
11am – 6pm (talks at 2pm, 11.30am on 25 May)
Pop into the gallery to meet the makers of the Makers & Tools project. Each maker will be in residence for one day, working in the gallery and on hand to chat about any aspect of the project or their work. Don’t miss the gallery talks – a perfect chance to gain insight into the careers of contemporary craft makers and to learn more about their experiences of the project.
Thurs 23 May: Harriet Elkerton
Sat 25 May: Katy Welsh
Thurs 30 May: Angie Packer
Sat 1 June: Christabel Balfour
Sat 8 June: Rachel Jones-Jones
Thurs 13 June: Tim Evershed

Vinyl Collage Workshop
Saturday 25 May, 2pm
Work alongside print designer Katy Welsh to explore composition and the art of colour play. 
Click here for more information and tickets.

Creative Networking
Thursday 6 June, 6.30pm
An informal networking event hosted with kind support by Independent Oxford, The Creative Duck Henley and Oxford Makers Group. 
Click here for more information and tickets.

Exhibition Run

17 May - 15 June 2019

Venue

Arts at the Old Fire Station
40 George Street 
Oxford 
OX1 2AQ

More information

oldfirestation.org.uk/MakersandTools.pdf

oldfirestation.org.uk/exhibitions/makers-tools

makersandtoolproject.uk