News

The full list of demonstrators and workshops for the inaugural Craft Festival Wales / Gŵyl Grefft Cymru has now been announced, which includes renowned potter, bestselling author and The Great Pottery Throw Down judge, Keith Brymer Jones.

Craft Festival Wales is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the Levelling Up campaign, which is administrated by the Cynnal y Cardi team, Ceredigion County Council, Arts Council of Wales QEST, and will be held over three days at Cardigan Castle from 6–8 September 2024.

The event will showcase an exceptional handpicked selection of 80 makers from across Wales and the UK – including jewellery makers, potters, furniture makers, textile artists, glassmakers and many more – all selling their finely made unique products directly to the public.

QEST & Heritage Crafts

Craft Festival is also honoured to present makers and demonstrators from prestigious organisations QEST (Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust) and Heritage Crafts. There’ll be over 20 demonstrators in total.

Craft Festival Wales is organised by Sarah James MBE and Nina Fox, who also organise the multi award-winning Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey and Craft Festival Cheltenham. Craft Festival was founded in 2004 and is a non-profit making organisation, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. The event has grown from 2,000 visitors to over 10,000 since its inception, and has become one of Europe’s most prestigious craft events.

Demonstrators & workshops

Ann Catrin Evans – Iron, Gold and Silver Jewellery

Axe & Paddle – Primitive skills expert

Kate Glanville Ceramics – Hand painted tableware and tiles

Little Barn – Handmade wooden furniture

Llio James – Contemporary handwoven products

Michelle Griffiths – Sculptural textiles for fashion/interiors

Michelle Mateo Crafts – Baskets made from splint wood

On The Wing Artist – Poet – Wordsmith – Maker

Rosa Harradine – Handmade brooms and brushes

St.Dogmaels Pottery – Hand thrown ceramics

Lee John Phillips – Green wood spoon carving

The Department of Small Works – Jobbing letterpress print

Two free events

Two free events, which form part of Craft Festival Wales, will run throughout September. Significant Forms, curated by Peter Bodenham and presented at Cardigan’s contemporary art gallery, Canfas, is an exhibition of museum quality ceramics from Wales. The exhibition features an exciting mix of makers who regularly show their work internationally. Entry to this exhibition is free and it runs from 6 September–8 October.

Craft Trail, in partnership with Oriel Myrddin, presents commissioned work by six emerging makers. This new work takes inspiration from the collections held by The National Contemporary Art Gallery of Wales – a major new initiative, sponsored by the Welsh Government – developed and managed through a collaboration between Amgueddfa Cymru, the National Library of Wales and Arts Council of Wales. Trail venues are Mwldan, The Albion by Fforest, Crwst, Cardigan Bay Brownies, Awen Teifi, and Make it in Wales / Stiwdio 3. The Craft Trail runs from 30 August–20 September.

For information on the event and to buy tickets, www.craftfestival.co.uk/Wales.