Craft Awards 2015

FRIDAY 27th FEBRUARY 2015 GUILDHALL, DERRY~LONDONDERRY

This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

About the

Craft Development Programme

The Craft Development Programme aims to encourage and facilitate the development and growth of the craft sector in the Derry City Council area. It is part-funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland until 30 June 2015.

For further information on the Craft Development Programme contact Deirdre Harte or Hazel Best at:

The programme includes a range of initiatives covering events, marketing, exhibitions, awards, craft trail, craft network as well as two business support programmes – an Enterprise Programme to support new and growing businesses as well as an Export Programme to support the growth of established businesses into exports.

Email: deirdre.harte@derrycity.gov.uk Telephone: 028 7136 5151 www.derrycitycouncil.gov.uk/crafts

Derry City Council 98 Strand Road Derry~Londonderry BT48 7NN

Welcome I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our Craft Awards and Fashion Show 2015.

This gala celebration is one of the highlights of the Craft Development Programme which aims to support the development and growth of the craft sector through a range of initiatives and events. The Programme is certainly achieving its aims as our local craft sector is growing from strength to strength and has never been so visible! It is also very fitting that we are celebrating the contribution of our local designer-makers with this special recognition event during Enterprise Week 2015.

I have had the privilege of viewing the Craft Award entries and have been greatly impressed by the standard of the competition which ranges from established local designers to newcomers and students.

The exhibition of the short-listed work at ‘The Social’ gallery on Shipquay Street over the past week has helped showcase the talent and skills of our local craft sector

to a wider audience who have also had an opportunity to vote for their favourite piece in the ‘People’s Choice’ award category. I am also looking forward to the fashion show which will showcase the best of local contemporary knitwear from emerging and established designers - building on the momentum and legacy of Fashion Fest 2014.

Congratulations to those of you who made it through to the final of the Craft Awards or who have been selected as part of the Fashion Show – you are an inspiration! I have no doubt that this is only the start of an exciting journey for many of you and I look forward to following your progress as you play a key role in promoting the North West as a craft destination. I hope you all have a wonderful evening.

Councillor Brenda Stevenson Mayor

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Sarah Travers Host ........................................

Sarah Travers is a journalist and broadcaster. She worked with BBC Northern Ireland for 17 years, starting in BBC Radio Foyle in 1995 after completing a degree in broadcast journalism at the Nottingham-Trent University. As well as BBC Newsline, Sarah was a main anchor on a range of bulletins and fronted the BBC broadcast appeal programme ‘Lifeline’, the popular Balmoral show, a Titanic centenary special as well as Children in Need.

Programme: 6.45pm: 7.00pm: 9.00pm: 10.00pm:

Drinks Reception Dinner Fashion Show Awards Ceremony

You can view a selection of the short-listed Craft Award entries in the lower gallery of the Main Hall throughout the evening.

Since becoming freelance in January 2013 Sarah presented the popular UTV programme ’The Magazine’ which ran for the past two years and saw her interview everyone from Dolly Parton to Ruby Wax and just this month Sarah has begun writing for the new ‘Local Women’ Magazine in Belfast.

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9.00pm to 10.00pm The fashion show has been organised as a platform to profile and celebrate local contemporary knitwear design and to build on the momentum of Fashion Fest 2014. It will showcase knitwear designers at a range of levels including international, established, emerging and community-based.

A selection of the Fashion Show collection has been on display at the Fashion and Textile Design Centre on Shipquay Street in the lead-up to the event.

Running order:

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Fashion Show

Guest Designer Sinead Crilly-McEvoy

Community Knitters

Roberta Mowbray ‘Keep Her Knit’ (4) Kay Gillespie ‘Keep Her Knit’ (1) Sharon Ferris ‘Keep Her Knit’ (1) Fidelma Heaney ‘Keep Her Knit’ (1) Fionnuala Crabtree ‘Keep Her Knit’ (1) Vivyan Thompson, Hansel & Gretel (1) Bernie Nelis & Margaret Crabtree, ‘Keep Her Knit’ (1) Margaret Crabtree, Director ‘Keep Her Knit’ (6) Emerging / New Start Knitwear Designers JAWIreland (6) Finders Keepers Couture (3) Vivienne Rowe (2) Bernie Murphy (3) Charlene Smith (1) Etain Grant (5) Crocknit Designs (2) Karen Devlin (2) Established Knitwear Designers Hansel & Gretel (7) Edel MacBride (14) Guest Irish Designers Ireland’s Eye Knitwear Ltd Orla Savage

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Information on

Guest Knitwear Designers

The swimwear collection is made entirely by knit and offers those women who dare to be different a new take on Summer wear. A selection of bikinis, swimsuits, macrame assorted pieces, cardigans and sarongs have all been designed and produced to capture the colourful, organic feel of Barbados and are made using soft cotton, silk, linen and bamboo yarns.

Orla is a knitwear designer originally from Northern Ireland and is now based in London. The items shown are Orla’s final year collection on graduating from Central St Martins in 2008 and were used in a movie called ‘Swinging with the Finkels’.

It starred Mandy Moore and Martin Freeman, in which Mandy played a fashion designer. Since then Orla has worked on collaborations which include John Galliano, Peachoo & Krejberg in Paris, Craig Lawrence in London and Diane Von Furstenburg in New York. Orla is currently designing knitwear and jersey for Laura Ashley in London.

Ireland’s Eye Knitwear

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Sinead graduated with a degree in Fashion and Knitwear Design from the University of Ulster in Belfast. Her ‘Bridge’ collection was taken from the place name ‘Bridgetown’ in Barbados as inspiration to create a collection with a difference.

Orla Savage

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Sinead Crilly-McEvoy

Ireland’s Eye is a family-business and one of Ireland’s leading knitwear manufacturers, with their collection of contemporary Irish knitwear being sold in over 20 countries around the world.

The knitwear is inspired by the craggy windswept landscape of ‘Ireland’s Eye’ a tiny island off the Dublin coast.

The company was awarded ‘Irish Export Supplier of the Year’ award for 2014 and has recently been working with a new designer, Mary Donoghue, who has designed for companies in New York, Italy and London and whose creative input is helping to drive sales internationally.

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Craft Awards Ceremony 10.00pm to 11.00pm

The Craft Awards aim to recognise, celebrate and raise the profile of our vibrant craft sector in the Derry City and Strabane District Council areas.

Short-listed entries have been on display at ‘The Social – Studio and Gallery’ at 35 Shipquay Street between Friday 20th February and Thursday 26th February 2015 and have included both established and emerging designer-makers.

Information on each of the shortlisted makers is included below under the categories of Ceramics, Knitwear, Textiles, Mixed Media and Students. The Awards Ceremony will announce winners under each of these categories as well as additional awards for Best Newcomer, Most Innovative Product and Fashion Innovation.

A ‘People’s Choice Winner’ will also be announced based on votes via Facebook and from the exhibition venue.

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Craft Awards Trophy

Alan Kane Chief Executive of Craft NI

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“I would like to congratulate the organisers for the superb range and very high quality of entries received for the inaugural 2015 competition.

Every category is strongly represented and it is good to see high quality entries from relatively new makers.

The competition at this standard is a great tribute to all the hard work put in by the Craft Development Programme’ in Derry over the past year”.

Kevin pictured with Deirdre Harte, Craft Development Officer at recent Guildhall Craft Fair.

Kevin McGrellis of the Stone Art Gallery won the commission to design the Craft Award trophies for the event. The pieces are wire sculptural representations of the ‘Oak Grove’ that formed the historical origins of the city. A small glass vial tangled in the roots of the oak tree contains water from the River Foyle symbolizing that the river gave life to the original Oak Grove that in time became Doire Colmcille – growing and developing over the centuries to become the renowned city of Derry~Londonderry.

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Ceramics Ceramics ......................

Tom Agnew Mill Pottery ......................

Tom could be described as a celebrated veteran of the local craft sector, having worked from the same large studio for an impressive 40 years. He studied Ceramics at Belfast College of Art & Design before setting up Mill Pottery in a former ax mill in Donemana, Co Tyrone. As well as having been a visiting lecturer at various colleges, including the College of Art in Belfast, Tom is also a founding member of Space Craft Gallery, Belfast and North West Woodfirers and is a member of the Design and Crafts Council Ireland.

His work has been presented to dignitaries such as President Mary McAleese, several Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland and various government ministers, as well as being part of a variety of public art projects.

Short-listed Items: Faceted Raku vase, Wall Mounted Fish and Young Girl (framed piece).

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Ceramics ......................................

Deirdre O’Callaghan Docpot ......................................

Deirdre has gained a loyal following for her signature ‘Docpot’ willow blue ceramics created in the studio she set up in the city’s Pump Street in 2001. On completion of a Degree in Ceramics and Glass, Deirdre furthered her studies with the Design and Crafts Council Ireland Pottery Skills course, and trained under the wing of ceramicist Michael Kennedy. Over the past 13 years she has supplied her designs to shops and galleries throughout Ireland and England.

In 2014 she received an award from the Derek Hill Foundation Glebe House and was commissioned by Derry City Council to design the trophies for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race homecoming leg.

Her new ‘Vivien’ collection is inspired by the ceramic busts of the Victorian era, folk pottery and the work of William Morris.

Short-listed Items: The ‘Vivien’ Collection stoneware hand-thrown ceramic vases (2 pieces).

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Ceramics Ceramics ..............................

Ursula McGivern Kildoag Pottery ..............................

Ursula developed a passion for ceramics back in her school art classes and went on to graduate with a degree in Ceramics. A hands-on potter whose work is imbued with traditional craft values and techniques, Ursula’s primary focus is the creation of everyday objects with a sense of purpose allied to the role that they play in our everyday lives. Much of Ursula’s pottery work is wheel-formed, in stoneware and porcelain.

Her forms tend towards simple, clean contours and smooth, unadorned surfaces. For Ursula, the most rewarding part of the making process is successful experimentation with glazing and firing - epitomising the uniqueness and visual identity of her work – and inspired by the River Faughan on her doorstep as a springboard for creativity.

Short-listed Items: The ‘Lumiere’ Collection large porcelain centerpiece, tall porcelain lantern and small porcelain centrepiece.

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Ceramics .........................................

Leona Devine Leona Devine Ceramics .........................................

Leona discovered her love for working with clay while studying BTEC Design Crafts and received her first commission in 2006 when she was selected by Limavady Borough Council to design ceramic trophies for the Danny Boy Festival Music Competition. She subsequently gained a BA Hons in Fine and Applied Art, specialising in Ceramics, from the University of Ulster. Leona has facilitated a number of art projects in the North West and worked with young people and pensioners from Claudy to create a ceramic sculptural mosaic which resides in the Diamond Centre.

Leona is a member of the Craft Village Collective and was one of the founders of the Strabane Craft Collective. In 2014 the Roe Valley Arts and Heritage Committee awarded her the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Regional Bursary.

Short-listed Items: Hare sculpture and porcelain hare prints (‘On the Run’ and ‘Caught in the Headlights’).

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Ceramics Ceramics ......................................

Anne-Marie Hughes Perfect in Porcelain ......................................

Anne-Marie trained and worked in psychiatry for many years before completing a four year part-time Associate Bachelorship in Fine and Applied Art, passing with distinction in 2014.

She works primarily with porcelain, enjoying its purity, fragility and translucency. Her process is thoughtful, intuitive, yet playfully subversive, with embedded textures and concealed images that create a sense that “all is not as it seems”.

Anne-Marie’s goal is to create work that is beautiful, intriguing and thought provoking, without imposing meaning.

She was a finalist and exhibited in the 2014 Irish Ceramics Awards Exhibition at Mill Cove Gallery, Co Cork. Her work was also exhibited at Mill Cove Gallery, Kenmare, Co Kerry and she currently has six pieces in the ‘Human Form’ exhibition, South Wing Gallery, Altnagelvin Hospital.

Short-listed Items: Ceramic sculptural pieces ‘Sentinel 1’ (female back), ‘State of Grace’ (female bust) and ‘Perfection’ lantern and small porcelain centrepiece.

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Knitwear ...................................

Edel MacBride ...................................

Edel is an established knitwear designer, who growing up surrounded by textiles and wool, discovered fashion while planning to study fine art. She studied Art and Design, followed by an internship in Boston with Neiman Marcus fashion retailers. Edel then returned home to open a shop and workshop in the Craft Village - building up her clientele with ‘craft and handmade’ as her banner.

While acknowledging the need to re-invent or improve fashion, materials are important to Edel who is partial to shiny things, therefore often incorporating good quality lurex and viscose yarns. She is currently focused on the tradition of Aran knitwear.

Short-listed Items: Aran ‘Love Tree’ fuchsia dress and long cardigan and Edel Moss 1950’s Coat

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Knitwear Knitwear ...................................

Aine Clarke Hansel & Gretel ...................................

Having learned to knit and crochet at a young age, Aine has been able to turn her skill into a business. With a passion for teaching she hopes to continue sharing this beautiful craft.

In 2013 she co-ordinated the making of the ‘City of Culture Quilt’ and was involved in the ‘City of Couture’ Fashion Show.

Aine’s work has been bought by the designer Wayne Hemmingway, and TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, and she has taken part in a number of showcase events.

Short-listed Item: ‘A Labour of Love’ hand-knit coat and hat

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Knitwear ...................................

Deirdre Wild JAW Ireland ...................................

After graduating with a degree in Textile and Fashion Design, Deirdre worked as a fashion designer in men’s, children’s and ladies wear for a number of leading high street names. She is currently Business & Development Manager of the Fashion & Textile Design Centre, Shipquay Street, Derry.

It was while working for Magee Clothing that Deirdre developed a love of hand knit – both in design and business. ‘JAWIreland’ is her own knitwear label which is designed with a clean and organic vision. Deirdre sources her wool from Kilcar, Co Donegal, ensuring the footprint is as minimal as possible.

Short-listed Item: ‘Black Sheep’ hand-knit mini dress

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Knitwear Knitwear ...................................

Bronagh Connolly Crocknit ...................................

Having learned to knit as a young child, Bronagh returned to knitting a few years ago when searching for the perfect baby gift. This progressed to more baby and children’s pieces, then onto ladies and men’s accessories before adding crochet to her skills.

Bronagh designs her own patterns, preferring to work with natural fibres such as wool, merino, silk, bamboo and alpaca.

Short-listed Items: Circular knit ‘Elfin’ sweater and circular knit lace ‘Sorcha’ capelet.

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Knitwear ...........................

Vivienne Rowe ...........................

Vivienne has crocheted and knitted throughout her life, creating one-off pieces for friends and family. It was a passion for creating something from a ball of yarn that led her on a life journey and more recently to the Fashion & Textile Design Centre on Shipquay Street. Starting as a textiles technician, she has now taken the path towards fashion design.

It was following encouragement by the Hub that Vivienne entered her first competition during Fashion Fest in November 2014, gaining recognition from the judges and coming runner-up for her first ever adult piece. The experience inspired Vivienne’s work and with the help of Derry City Council she is now setting up her own business.

Short-listed Items: Crochet poncho & scarf, one-piece hood & shawl and ‘Hunger Games’ inspired poncho.

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Textiles Textiles ..............................................

Audrey Doherty Millinery ..............................................

Audrey completed her Foundation in Fashion & Textiles before progressing to London’s premier college for Millinery.

She also undertook courses in Theatrical Millinery for film & television and in silk flower making which complements her work. She has designed for private clients, couture bridal salons and boutiques and participated in Chelsea Festival Hat Show and a major Wedding Fair at the Savoy Hotel.

Audrey’s inspiration comes from the flora and fauna of our rural environment, modern art, architecture and vintage fashion. Her work has been featured in a wide range of newspapers and specialist publications and a performance headpiece commissioned by Inishowen Carnival Group for Dublin’s 2014 St Patrick’s Day Parade was chosen as ‘Hat of the Month’ in Hat Talk e-Magazine July 2014 issue.

Short-listed Items: Blue/Cream ‘Petit-Creation’ mini-hat, Orange 1950’s inspired clip hat and white ‘seashell’ inspired headpiece.

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Textiles ...........................

Bernie Murphy Textile Artist ...........................

Bernie is a textile artist whose work includes sculptural wearable art and textile exhibition pieces. A former garment technologist in the manufacturing industry in Co. Donegal, she retrained as an artist, graduating with a BA in Fine and Applied Art from University of Ulster in 2012.

Bernie likes to explore new approaches and an engagement with unconventional materials and the body is at the heart of her practice. Her use of innovative techniques, materials, form and context explores the crossover between art and fashion in simple ways to stimulate both physical and cultural associations within those who encounter her work. She also has experience in teaching masterclasses/ workshops at all levels and is currently working as a part time lecturer for North West Regional College.

Short-listed Items: ‘New Beginnings’ white zip piece, ‘Coast’ grey silk piece and Blue zip collar.

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Textiles Textiles .........................

Maura McKee .........................

Maura’s inspiration is to make things that matter, to represent the personal (local) in the universal (global). A graduate in Contemporary Crafts from MMU, she is an experienced weaver whose work has been commissioned by Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Co. Wicklow, and has demonstrated weaving in locations such as St George’s Market, Belfast and Shane’s Castle, Antrim.

She has also been a keynote speaker, and co-author, on the topic of ‘Phitiotika’ weaving in Cyprus. Maura has also taken part in a number of projects including ReFound Legenderry Chairs project and UnLtd City of Culture 2013.

Short-listed Items: Hand-woven silk vessels: ‘The First Time I Met a Palestinian’, ‘No-one Ever Told Me to Stop’ and ‘There’s Nothing More Frightening Than a Riot.’

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Textiles .....................................................................

Jennifer Quigley & Michaela Morrison The Knit & Stitch Studio .....................................................................

Jennifer inherited her skills with yarn from a young age, with a particular passion for crochet which helped make her name as an established designer.

She has been making garments to order since 2011, later progressing to retail. Michaela also had a passion for arts and crafts from a young age, later qualifying in Arts and Crafts, specialising in textiles. Having managed Mission Hall Quilts for a number of years, Michaela began to teach the art of sewing and quilting.

The Knit & Stitch Studio was founded in 2014 from a collaboration to host a range of craft classes and workshops. Inspiration comes from the history and passion of the women who worked in Derry’s shirt factories and took left over scraps of fabric to produce quilts.

Short-listed Items: Shirt Factory inspired quilt and Orange Selvedge wool basket.

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Textiles Textiles .........................

Leona Cregan Elsie Tweed .........................

Leona is a third generation designer in her family with a passion for weaving and craft. Her main aim when setting up Elsie Tweed in October 2014, was to inspire new lovers of the craft and to sell her tweed to an international market. She is a graduate student of Fashion and Textiles and qualified dressmaker with certificates in business management.

Leona wants people to see tweed as a true craft and not just fashion. She experiments with different media, colours and textures and has gained valuable experience and confidence in the fashion and textiles industry after working both as a sales assistant and buyer. Leona was winner of Future Designer award in November 2014, showcasing at a number of fashion shows during Derry’s Fashion Fest 2014.

Short-listed Items: Elsie Tweed ‘Waterfall’ Jacket and ‘Fern’ Ball Gown.

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Textiles .................................................

Nicole McLaughlin Designs .................................................

Nicole’s obsession for art is inherited from her father. As a child, she was encouraged to colour outside the lines and break boundaries. Her natural flair for art and design led to her qualification in Textile Art, Design and Fashion.

Specialising in textile print with a focus on composition, placement, layering and colour techniques, Nicole’s latest collection ‘Nostos’ was inspired by the journeys and objects that, as a child, gave her a sense of belonging and connection.

Short-listed Items: ’Nostos’ handprinted dress collection – ‘Sabrina’ dress, ‘Minty’ dress and ‘Safari’ dress.

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Textiles Textiles ......................................

Grainne Canning Knits ‘n’ Pieces ......................................

Having an interest in fashion and design from a young age, Grainne studied for a BTEC National Diploma in Design Crafts. After a number of years working in the public sector and raising a family, a desire to design and make children’s clothes led Grainne to attend classes in crochet and creative sewing, using online resources to progress her skills.

After receiving positive feedback on clothes she made for her own family, Grainne began selling her products online. She is keen to expand her skills in the hope of extending her range of creations.

Short-listed Item: ‘Summer Fun’ baby girl reversible dress

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Textiles ..........................

Mary Doherty ..........................

Mary specialises in textile arts and her completion of a City & Guilds in Creative Techniques/Machine Embroidery has opened up a whole new world of techniques. Mary’s vivid and eye-catching work takes inspiration from the sea, rugged local landscape and other aspects of her surroundings, together with her work as an art teacher in Donegal for over 30 years.

The River Foyle provided Mary with the inspiration to create her own body of work, as well as her involvement in a ‘Rivers of the World’ project with students. She has exhibited in the Gordon Gallery, London Street Gallery and throughout Inishowen as well as a member of the Northern Ireland Embroidery Guild. Mary will also be taking part in the Guild exhibition in Lisburn and Belfast.

Short-listed Items: ‘Celebration on the River’ (framed piece) and ‘Estuary Shoreline’ (framed piece).

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Textiles Textiles .........................

Orna Doherty .........................

Orna comes from an artistic family and was encouraged in her creative endeavours, helping fuel her love of art and sewing in particular. Having gained qualifications in Textile and Fashion Design and pursuing a career in fashion, Orna developed a passion for textile art and embroidery, going on to study Creative Techniques Embroidery.

Working with colourful quilting fabrics led her to developing a style of embellished wall hangings.

Orna is inspired by the sea and landscapes of Malin Head, also Celtic lore and historic remains. Her work has been exhibited in the London Street Gallery, Gordon Gallery, throughout Donegal and will feature in the Northern Ireland Embroidery Guild in Lisburn and Belfast.

Short-listed Items: ‘Cavall del Llum-Horse of Light’ (wall hanging), ‘Rhythm of Life’ embroidery (framed piece) and Gaudi inspired corset

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Textiles .........................

Noel Leonard .........................

Learning to knit and crochet as a child led to a life-long interest in art and needlework for Noel. The chance to learn felting at an Art Skills course at the Women’s Centre led to her completing a course in Design and Textiles and on to a degree.

Strongly influenced by colour and texture and a passion for making a piece of work from scratch, Noel produces wall hangings, framed pieces and a unique range of handbags, and particularly enjoys working with silk. She also produces some of her own hand-dyed paper and fabrics that, when combined with other mediums, inspires new ideas. Noel’s framed textile pieces have a presence of fragility and a faded existence which reveal an underlying strength.

Short-listed Items: Textile Framed pieces ‘Fragile’, ‘Peace’ and ‘Keepsake’

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Mixed MixedMedia Media .....................................................

Natasha Duddy Glass Designs .....................................................

Natasha studied Craft Design, specialising in glass designs, at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. After leaving college she won a RDS National Craft Award, leading to a raft of orders for her garden sculptures.

Natasha returned home to Derry, setting up her own business in 2000 which she currently runs whilst teaching glass design classes.

For the past six years she has tutored glass fusing at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart as well as teaching glass classes to the U3A and Action Mental Health in Derry whilst tutoring parttime in Community Arts and Crafts with North West Regional College. Natasha is a board member of ‘Crafts Connects’ and the Craft Village Collective.

Short-listed Items: ‘Celtic Swirl’ glass plate, ‘Peace Bridge’ framed glass piece and ‘Autumn’ fused glass jewellery.

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Mixed Media ......................................

Kevin McGrellis The Stone Art Gallery ......................................

As an Arts graduate from the University of Ulster and the University of Wales, Kevin ran ‘The Really Useful Design Company’ for 12 years producing craft work for a wide range of people and organisations, ranging from small independent retailers to major institutions such as The Kilkenny Group, The National Museum of Ireland and Le Musée de Mervilles, France. Kevin later established The Stone Art Gallery, producing much more art-based work.

He currently produces two distinctive ranges: Pebble Pictures using pebbles and found objects from along the Inishowen coastline and Wire Sculptural Pictures using copper wire to produce a variety of unique styles. Kevin produces a significant number of individual commissions and looks forward to the potential of producing larger commissioned pieces of his work.

Short-listed Item: ‘The Oak Grove’ – wire sculptural framed piece

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Mixed Media Mixed Media ............................

Gloria Perry Urney Creations ............................

An experienced Art & Design teacher for almost 30 years, Gloria was on a quest to find something new and unique to occupy herself in her retirement! She launched her own creative business ‘Urney Creations’ three years ago using the versatile medium of Paverpol to create rock-hard sculptures out of textured fabrics, vintage hats, beaded jewellery and many interesting ‘found’ objects. Her work includes elegant and serene female figures, family groupings, mother and child as well as more whimsical pieces.

Gloria’s work has been showcased throughout Ireland at major events, on television and in a variety of national newspapers and magazines. A member of the Design and Crafts Council Ireland, in 2012 she won a top place out of 26 countries in the International Paverpol Exhibition held in Corfu, Greece.

Short-listed Items: ‘Mac Dora - Little Elf of the Oak Tree’ Paverpol sculpture

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Mixed Media ..........................................

Karon Brennan Designs ..........................................

Karon has been knitting since childhood, going on to complete City & Guilds qualifications in interior design, upholstery, soft furnishings, and floristry. She has also completed courses in crocheting, paverpol, millinery, painting techniques and machine embroidery.

Karon has spent a number of years working as an interior designer and florist. She currently has her own shop on Pump Street, designing and making bespoke interior pieces. Karon also runs ‘Craft Holidays in Tuscany’.

Short-listed Items: Irish Aran knit and crochet lampshade.

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Mixed Media Mixed Media ...........................

Julie Leddy Bouquet-licious ...........................

Julie created Bouquet-licious out of her sister’s desire to carry something different at her wedding - an alternative to the traditional floral bouquet. Based on a concept which originated in Australia and America, Julie creates statement bouquets from a combination of artificial flowers, brooches and jewellery, incorporating pieces of sentiment belonging to the bride or groom.

Julie works closely with brides, drawing on the style of dress, colour scheme and/or theme to create designs which complement their desired look, providing them with an heirloom piece which can be passed on to future generations. Julie is presently developing her range to include bespoke pieces for the entire bridal party and, she has also been asked to create similar pieces for hotel and church displays.

Short-listed Items: Flower girl ‘button’ bouquet and fully brooched & jewelled bridal bouquet.

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Student

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Gary McElwee .........................

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Miriam Stainsby ...............................

Gary returned to education as a mature student and is currently studying part time for a HNC in Fine Art, fulfilling a life-long passion. Married with three daughters, he credits the course with helping him develop and build on a whole new set of personal skills.

Miriam is currently in her final year of the HND in Fashion and Textiles at North West Regional College. From a very young age Miriam has always loved creating things and gathering materials to inspire her art. What she believes to be the most important thing when creating and designing is that it is unique and that your own personality shines through. Miriam has found a creative and innovative way of displaying her work by using books as frames – an atlas reflects her love of travel as well as maps in the background of the pieces.

Short-listed Items: (Ceramics) Wire Vase, Ceramic Vase and Inkwell.

Short-listed Items: (Mixed Media) Textile pieces – ‘open book’ and ‘closed book’.

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Student Student

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Karen Devlin ........................

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Charlene Smith .............................

Karen is studying the Art & Design Foundation year at North West Regional College. She is a previous winner of the Junk Kouture Fashion Recycle competition, representing Ulster in 2013 and is currently competing in a custom design competition for Madam Butterfly at the Royal Opera House, London.

Karen’s work is influenced by natural surroundings and the characteristics of nature, and she enjoys working with natural materials where possible.

Charlene is a self taught crafter/crocheter/sewer who aspires to set up her own fashion/textile business one day. Charlene creates bespoke designs in a traditional style but with a modern twist. She does not use patterns, preferring to create designs organically resulting in individual pieces.

Short-listed Items: (Knitwear) Grey capelet & hat, ‘Blue Collection’ (mitts, bracelets & necklace) and ‘Seaspray Collection’ (bracelets, necklace & collar)

Short-listed Items: (Mixed Media) ‘Dances with Wolves’ collection book, rose headress. and cuff.

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Student

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Nicola McLaughlin ..................................

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Mary Joyce Davis ...............................

As part of her studies in Fashion and Textiles, Nicola has undertaken modules in print, weave and embroidery, having her designs displayed as part of Fashion Fest 2014. Nicola has designed fabric for top Irish designer Jennifer Rothwell and has her own fashion blog ‘The Sequin Cinderella’ which she uses to promote her work and receive orders for her bespoke designs.

Nicola’s craft is very much design-led, using digital technology to produce fabrics that she has created from scratch, including distinctive imagery from the city.

MJ is a qualified pre-school teacher who has always had an interest in craft and design. Upon moving to Derry she rediscovered her hobbies and took classes in crochet. MJ went on to complete a number of projects and enjoys creating things from upcycled materials, inspired by anything exotic, odd and rustic.

Short-listed Items: (Textiles) Up-cycled wool and felt fabric bag and Decorative wool and felt cushion

Short-listed Items: (Textiles) Printed T-Shirt Dress and Skater Dress

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Credits Event Host: Sarah Travers Venue: Guildhall Catering: Guild Café Event Management: Tracey Hall, Style Academy

Craft Awards & Exhibition Panel: Alan Kane (Craft Northern Ireland) and Malcolm Murchison (Flowerfield Arts Centre Portstewart) Display cases: Craft Northern Ireland Venues: Declan Sheehan and ‘The Social – Studio and Gallery’ 35 Shipquay Street and Fashion and Textile Design Centre, 33 Shipquay Street Volunteers: North West Volunteer Centre and Foyle College pupil work placements (Hollie and Gillian) Trophies: Kevin McGrellis, The Stone Art Gallery Exhibition Photography: Darren Kidd Other photographic input: Andrew Clifford and Jake Crooks (North West Regional College students)

Fashion Show

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We would like to thank and credit the following who have supported the Craft Development Programme team in delivering the Craft Awards and Fashion Show 2015.

Hair: Mr James @ Roco Make-up: Rosemary Wright Stylist: Sara O’Neill, Style Academy Exhibition: Deirdre Wild and the Fashion and Textile Design Centre, 33 Shipquay Street Models, Choreography & Show Production: Style Academy Set Design: Mood Events Goodie Bags: West Coast Cooler, IN magazine, Linwoods Seeds, Little Big Shot, Vita Liberata, Roco Sound and Lighting: ARD Sound & Lighting Community Knitters: Keep Her Knit and Hansel & Gretel Guest Designers: Sinead Crilly-McEvoy, Orla Savage and Ireland’s Eye Knitwear Ltd With special thanks to Mayor Councillor Brenda Stevenson and colleagues in Derry City Council Marketing and Business Opportunities Programme teams.

A special thanks to the crafters, artists and designer-makers who have participated in this project. May your work continue to be an inspiration both within our city and beyond.

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This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

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