Midlands-based charity, Craftspace is celebrating its 40-year anniversary in the only way it knows how – by championing talented local artists and commissioning engaging inclusive work

The Midlands is brimming with artistic talent and if you were lucky enough to see Craftspace’s Made in the Middle exhibition, you don’t need us to tell you. A world class collection of artists of varying media filled the upstairs exhibition space at MAC wowing visitors.

Over the past 40years, Craftspace has curated and commissioned work by 2,500 artists in more than 500 exhibitions viewed by a staggering 2.8 million people, plus it’s credited with encouraging 265,000 people to get making.

The aim of the organisation is to create opportunities to see and make extraordinary contemporary craft. Building relationships between artists, people and organisations, the charity encourages the sharing of ideas, skills and knowledge and it’s this collaborative approach that spawns such a feel good, supportive network.

Deirdre Figueiredo MBE, director of Craftspace who joined the organisation in 1996, says: “Craft and making is a foundational skill practised by humans and remains as vital and progressive now as it has for centuries. When people are making, they are problem-solving, productive, mindful and resourceful. Making things from everyday and natural materials can be a unifying force for good, a means of self-expression and a form of resistance and resilience in challenging times. It is this force for good approach we’ve channelled over the last 40 years.”

FOUR DECADES

As well as the Made in the Middle exhibition, to mark the 40-year anniversary, Craftspace commissioned artist Stewart Francis Easton to create a textile mural celebrating objects from the organisation’s four decades titled, 40 Objects for 40 Years. The artist said: “I feel that I am part of Craftspace’s story after successfully working with them on several projects. The first being Making Moves and second Gathering. Craftspace has supported me from the beginning of my career through to the mid stage. I have garnered a wealth of experience since the early days of Making Moves and have successfully worked on projects both nationally and Internationally. Craftspace was one of the first organisations to support me and it helped propel me forward, I would like this opportunity to give something back.”

The mural is made up of four quilted wall hangings which have illustrations of each object. The artwork will pop up in and around Birmingham and the region with an invitation to listen to what people have to say about why craft matters to them and how their views and interests might shape Craftspace’s future programme.

JOYFUL ENCOUNTERS

Alongside Deidre Figueiredo, the charity is made up of a voluntary board and skilled team ensuring the organisation is viable and progressive benefitting artists and communities at all levels which is an important feature. Deidre describes some of her highlights: “All the projects where we have taken high quality craft objects and artists to where people are in public spaces, from Curious About Craft, an interactive exhibition on a vehicle which toured to 40 wards of Birmingham, and Making Moves which toured the region: a car show room, hospital foyer, pub and leisure centre to 10 years of In:Site Festival in Birmingham Cathedral Square where passers-by could try a huge variety of craft techniques. All provided moments of unexpected and joyful encounters with creativity which sparked imagination and memories.”

One of the most impressive projects was the large scale, 4,600 Gifts which was delivered for the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Craftspace invited the people of Birmingham to make an individual handmade gift for every competing athlete. Over the course of 100-plus workshops across the city, thousands of strangers sat side by side to make, converse and connect, working towards a shared purpose which was a triumph.

Matthew Rhodes, chair of the Craftspace board added: “For 40 years Craftspace has represented so much that is unique and wonderful about the Midlands – our diversity and openness, the way this region supports craft skills that are human-scale and accessible to all – yet with potential for global impact and world-class quality; and the power of individual imagination.”
He added: “I’ve never met anyone who’s come into contact with Craftspace who hasn’t been impressed with our impact and contribution to individuals and this region, from politicians to schoolchildren. We’re fortunate to have such an organisation based in Birmingham.”

FORTY MORE

The next 40 years look secure. The charity has moved to a new home in the Jewellery Quarter of which Deidre says: “It is an opportunity to invite communities of interest to activate the space for collective and expansive actions, thinking and ideas about craft, making and materials.

“Together with our supporters we will generate much needed income to produce an inclusive and aspirational artistic and engagement programme. We have made our reputation on supporting artists to experiment and push at the boundaries of craft practice while also championing craft as a force for good with the power to change lives and communities.”