Exhibitions
Welcome to the exhibitions page. Here you will find information about previous exhibitions that have been held at Manchester Craft and Design Centre in addition to information about our forthcoming exhibitions.
Current Exhibition
THREADBARE: DRAWINGS IN THREAD BY DEBBIE SMYTH
3 July - 30 October
Debbie Smyth, a textile artist from Cheltenham, creates playful yet sophisticated contemporary artworks by stretching a network of threads between accurately plotted pins.
Forthcoming Exhibitions
Past Present Perfect Exhibition
13 November 2010 - 29 January 2011
Call For Entries - Deadline 16 August 2010
As part of the NICE Festival 2010
Past Present Perfect is taking place across three venues in the North West of England (Manchester Craft & Design Centre, the Manchester Museum and the Grosvenor Museum, Chester).
We are looking for innovative work by designers and makers based in Norway and Greater Manchester, responding to the theme of tradition with a contemporary twist.Click here to download more information.
Archive of Exhibitions
Distinction
14 November 2009 - 27 January 2010
A stunning collection of distinctive monochromatic ceramics, glass and textiles, to be shown on our ground floor his winter alongside our vibrant selection of resident makers.
WOOD
15 August - 31 October 2009
- a show which embraces the diversity of this staple material. Wood may be a medium primarily associated with furniture, but we have assembled a selection of makers all using wood in very different ways which exemplify its versatility and sustainability.
We are also delighted to be working with Wesley Barrell, who are displaying part of the exhibition in their Deansgate store until the end of September.
Click here for more information on the exhibition.
Eve Bennett - Head Full of Magic
16 May - 1 August 2009
Eve is the third winner of our annual MMU Graduate Exhibition Award. Her delicate, beautifully glazed ceramics tell very personal stories, sometimes poignant, often humorous.
UK Craft Mafias
20 March - 2 May 2009
This spring, as part of the UK:DIY project, we are hosting an exhibition of work currently being produced by members of the UK Craft Mafias. Click here to find out more.
In a separate project responding to the exhibition, independent artists ArtYarn have created a yarn wrapping round the 1st Floor bannister of the Centre, which will grow during the course of the exhibition and we'd like you to help!
Horror Vacui - Fear of the Void
23 January 2009 - 7 March 2009
As the only UK venue in this international touring exhibition, we are delighted to be showing Germany's Forum fur Schmuck und Design's (Forum for Jewellery and Design) 9th annual Members Exhibition. 85 jewellers from 13 countries have responded to the concept of 'Horror Vacui - Fear of the Void' in their own way, making this an eclectic display of exciting jewellery pieces.
Feast
17 October - 10 January
Celebrating the simple pleasures of eating and drinking from our favourite bowls and cups - FEAST presents a fantastic display of original domestic tableware including cups, saucers, plates, bowls, teapots, jugs and platters; items to bring a smile to the face, use everyday or to save for special occasions. The work on show is just perfect for festive gifts or even treats for oneself to beat those winter blues!
Yard Birds
Friday 11 July - Saturday 4 October
Hot Town! Summer in the City! Hard day at the office? Can’t wait to get home for the weekend, kick off your socks and shoes and sit in the rays of the evening sunshine with a cool drink? Yard Birds is an outdoors-inspired exhibition which displays products which can be used in your outside space, as well as botanical-based jewellery and widlife-themed household accessories.
Beth Essex
11 April - 28 June 2008
Beth Essex is our 2nd Graduate Exhibition prizewinner chosen from Manchester Metropolitan University's degree shows in 2007. She will present her unique collection of jewellery made from textiles, porcelain and metal.
Yofi - Israeli Ceramics & Jewellery
25 January - 29 March 2008
A touring exhibition from flow gallery in Notting Hill, London showcasing ceramics and jewellery from Israeli artists.
Silver - 25 Year Anniversary 1982 - 2007
12 October 2007- 12 January 2008
Manchester Craft and Design Centre is 25 years old this year! We will be hosting a Silver exhibition and an anniversary event here at the Craft Centre to mark this huge acheivement
Paper
27 July - 30 September 2007
Paper shows fabulous works by the very best of paper makers and designers from across the UK. The wide range of work on view shows just how versatile paper can be as a material.
Ars Ornata Europeana Student Competition
30 June - 21 July 2007
A group exhibition showing the results of the student competition held as part of the 11th Ars Ornata Europeana Conference 5 -8 July 2007.
A Coastal Archive
April 6 - June 23
Leanne Bramall, winner of our first MMU Graduate Award for a Solo Show, presents her collection of sculptural work, inspired by found objects from the Isle of Man coastline.
RAW
January 26 - March 31
A mixed media, group exhibition of five selected makers, whose work has a rough, free-hand quality. Exhibition includes work by: Laura McAfferty, Cathy Miles, Hanne Mannheimer, Bethan Lloyd Worthington and Beth Hughes.
Single Shot - Glass Gun
January 13 - 27
Glass Gun, a film installation by Julie Hill, shows a figure of a gun, formed out of glass and suspended in space, exploding into myriad shards, light shimmering through tumbling fragments. Julie Hill's clever collapsing of cause and effect is a vivid reminder of the fragility of things and of our underlying propensity for violence. This work is being displayed in Manchester Craft and Design Centre's Cafe Aromat for just a fortnight, so don't miss this exciting opportunity to see its only showing in Manchester.
The Creature Show
Must end January 13 2007
The Creature Show looks at modern day soft toys and textile works with quirky but endearing personalities. The show includes work by eight makers whose hand-made designs are changing the face of soft toys and contemporary Crafts. Sketch books and design plans are on show alongside the creatures themselves, explaining more about how these quirky characters were created. There is also an area where you can make your own sock monkey or design your own creature.
Contemporary Scottish Jewellery
Until September 30 2006
Last chance to see this beautiful display, bringing together a selection of the finest contemporary Jewellers currently working in Scotland, some of whom are at the very beginning of their careers and others who are internationally recognised as being at the top of their profession.
Sitting Room
Until July 15 2006
Manchester Craft and Design Centre is hosting an exciting and unusual exhibition dedicated to the art of sitting and reading.
Domestic, Wild, Pet or Vermin...
September 2 - October 15 2005
The provocative work of Rebecca McEvoy explores the relationship between man and animals, between the living and the dead, between beauty and disgust. She has produced a collection that intrigues, fascinates and revolts.
Branching Out
October 29 - January 14 2005
More than 300 individually made pieces of work, shown for the first time in the North West....
Life Scars
February 4 - April 8 2006.
Rachel Clowes has had a very busy time since her last visit to Manchester Craft and Design Centre as a contributing artist. That was back in Summer 2003...
SPUN: Lighting by Jenny Bland
13 February - 19 June 2010
Jenny Bland is the 4th winner of our MMU Graduate Exhibition Award. Her beautiful handcrafted pendant lighting shades spun from fine threads are an innovation in textiles.
