Crafts and makers at MAKE Southwest, Bovey Tracey, Devon

Devon’s MAKE Southwest is more than a craft gallery. Anyone who has visited its beautiful exhibition and retail space in Bovey Tracey will know it is filled with wonderful handmade objects, from wheel thrown ceramics to hand turned wood, but MAKE’s remit goes far beyond that.

For more than 50 years it has trained and mentored young craftspeople, promoted ethical and sustainable making, provided a platform for exceptional regional talent, delivered creative outreach programmes to support mental health and wellbeing, and worked with schools to inspire a new generation of makers.

Every pound spent at MAKE supports independent artists and funds community activities right here in Devon.

A childrens clay workshop is underway at MAKE Southwest ‘MAKE Southwest has always been a not-for-profit organisation,’ says exhibitions manager Flora Pearson, who has been at the heart of MAKE’s art and craft programming for more than 20 years.

‘Our primary role is to educate aspiring makers, to help them develop their practice through professional mentoring, and to give them opportunities to show their work. Most importantly we offer our artists the chance to be part of a thriving craft community, and that is something we are really proud of.

‘So many people have come to us as apprentice makers or young graduates over the years, and we have been able to support them throughout their careers.

‘Those artists have become MAKE members and continue to show their work here, and many are taking on their own apprentices and passing essential craft skills on to the next generation.’

Weaver and textile artist Jessica Cutler whose story began at a MAKE workshop Artist Jessicca Cutler is one such member, a talented weaver whose story began when MAKE ran a craft workshop at her Devon primary school.

Flora says: ‘We’ve got a lovely newspaper cutting of our visiting artist with Jess’s class, and Jess tells us that experience really inspired her as a little girl.

‘One of our key remits is supporting creative education for everyone. We know schools are finding it more and more difficult to offer creative courses, so children’s workshops like ours are especially important.’

A woven wrap made by Jessica Cutler Jessica went on to graduate from Manchester School of Art in 2017 with a first class honours degree in textile design, and she is now a MAKE Southwest member.

One of Jess’s priorities is to make work in a sustainable way: all of her handwoven textiles are fully biodegradable and recyclable, reflecting the standards of MAKE’s Green Maker Initiative, which highlights creatives who are reducing their impact on the environment through their choice of materials and working processes.

‘Sustainability is increasingly important to craft buyers, and it has always been important to us,’ says Flora.

Willow pendants by Ambrose Vevers Another success story is furniture maker Ambrose Vevers, who began his career exhibiting at MAKE as a young apprentice.

‘Ambrose was part of our Making It exhibition,’ says Flora, ‘which is our biannual showcase for emerging new artists in the South West.’

Ambrose, who is based on Dartmoor, works only with wood that is sustainably coppiced, felled and replanted locally.

‘We are always keen to find self-taught or apprentice makers like Ambrose,’ says Flora. ‘His career is really flourishing, and he is already training up other promising new makers.’

The retail gallery at MAKE. Photo: Emma Booth Crucially, both these examples show how MAKE is encouraging young artists to stay in the South West and invest in a career here, instead of relocating to areas like London and the South East. This is important, as retaining talent is crucial to the ongoing success of our regional craft economy.

‘MAKE offers a strong professional network and selling platform right here in the West Country,’ says Flora. ‘That helps contemporary and heritage crafts alike. We are seeing many more young makers practising heritage and rural crafts, which is really encouraging.

‘We value those links to the historic story of craft, and because we have such a versatile exhibition space, we can show those traditional crafts alongside work by equally important young artists who are exploring new processes and new materials.’

Crafting a paper puppet in a workshop Whatever their specialism, all MAKE artists are selected by peer review, based on the ethics of their practice and the quality of their work. ‘Anyone who is new to making can apply for our Graduate Membership.’ says Flora. ‘Associate Membership is for those in the early stages of their career who may still benefit from mentoring and support. Full Membership is for makers who are ready to exhibit. They often mentor our up-and-coming graduate and associate members, and they get the opportunity to show their newest and most exciting work each year as part of our annual Maker Members exhibition.’

2024’s Maker Members exhibition is on show now until November 2, and runs alongside a guest showcase by furniture maker Richard Buckingham.

Objects for sale in the gallery. Photo: Dom Moore From November 16, MAKE’s Under the Tree Christmas gift show will run throughout the festive season, while the much anticipated Making It exhibition returns in January 2025.

‘We want people to know that when you buy at MAKE you are investing in high quality, sustainably made work, and you aren’t just buying something ethical and beautiful, you are making a really important commitment to supporting the creative industries.

‘You are also helping to fund craft education in the region, and when you visit there are always free craft activities in the gallery for everyone to try, especially kids and families.

‘Everyone is welcome to browse and enjoy our exhibitions, and to visit our new café, which offers only locally sourced ingredients, and welcomes dogs as well as people! There isn’t a single reason not to come and see us.’

makesouthwest.org.uk