Gorgeous crafts in Shropshire

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and The Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft are again bringing together some of the West Midlands’ finest craftsmen and women for their annual flagship exhibition, ‘Gorgeous’, over the weekend of 29 and 30 November at Enginuity, Coalbrookdale. For the first time this year, the makers will also be joined by many of the region’s top food and drink producers in association with Heart of England Fine Foods.

Visitors to the Gorgeous Contemporary Craft and Fine Food Fair will be able to view and buy original craft work of the highest quality as well as meet the designer-makers, or commission their own unique items. At the same time, they will be able to sample delicacies from local producers, many of which they can purchase and take home.

This large and remarkable selling exhibition of inspirational artwork and gourmet produce will take up the entire Engine Room and covered bays at Enginuity, the Ironbridge Gorge’s fascinating interactive design and technology centre.

Gorgeous will showcase a wide selection of quality, contemporary work by around thirty-five guild members and guests including ceramics, furniture, glass, jewellery, textiles and much more. Exhibitors have been carefully selected to ensure there is a diverse range with both affordable and higher priced items across a range of disciplines; every item on display will reflect the high level of craftsmanship and design demanded by today’s discerning market.

Guild members showing include metal designer Julie Grose. The youngest member of the group, Julie works from her forge near Broseley creating contemporary, organic and imaginative sculpted pieces for the home and garden, inspired by geometric shapes and natural forms (juliegrosemetaldesign.co.uk). Julie told us that “Gorgeous is the biggest show of the year for many members of the guild. It is a vibrant, wonderfully creative event, and for me, displaying my work alongside likeminded designer-makers is really exciting”.

Also based in Shropshire, Ted Bruce is celebrating ten years of basket making. Working with English willow, some of which he grows himself, Ted uses traditional techniques to make strong and attractive, yet functional baskets (tedbrucebaskets.co.uk).
Recently elected chairman of the guild, potter Ralph Jandrell works in the picturesque Ironbridge Gorge. He designs and makes a unique range of quality ceramics in his studio at the Coalport China Museum continuing the tradition of ceramic excellence established there over many years (ralphjandrell.co.uk) Commenting on the event, Ralph said, “Every year, the Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft with guests organise a unique creative selling exhibition featuring the most talented designer-makers from Shropshire and the West Midlands. Gorgeous is the biggest contemporary craft event in the region of its kind – and this year, we have over 35 designer-makers exhibiting their exclusive wares.”

Founded in 2001 the Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft helps to promote the professional designer and maker through exhibitions and events; with members drawn from across Shropshire the guild has gone from strength to strength.

The beautiful and dramatic Ironbridge Gorge is fast becoming a year round home to many creative artists, who have studios in the Gorge. Visitors are encouraged to follow what is known as the Ribbon of Creativity featuring various craft centres and private studios throughout the Gorge.

Entrance to Gorgeous is £2.50 per person and free for children under 12 (this does not include entrance to Enginuity). It will be open from 10am to 5pm both days.

For further information about the makers log onto shropshire-guild.co.uk and for the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, see Ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).