This weekend Bonhoga Gallery will host Craft Scotland’s ‘Meet Your Maker’, giving the public a fantastic opportunity to see a Shetland based designer/maker in action, as the national ‘Meet Your Maker’ weekend takes place in the Lower Gallery at Bonhoga over two days. For 2013 Craft Scotland has partnered with Shetland Arts and seven other organisations in Scotland for ‘Meet Your Maker’ events. Fourteen makers from stonecarvers to weavers, bookbinders to jewellers, were selected to take part; to give a rare behind the scenes look at their craft making, to meet the public, demonstrate their craft processes, and explain to visitors the ideas behind their work.
Shetland jeweller Mike Finnie of Red Houss jewellery in Burra, was chosen by Craft Scotland to be in residence this Saturday and Sunday in the Lower Gallery at Bonhoga. Mike will be demonstrating his own designing and making processes, and showcasing finished work in which he incorporates local materials such as soapstone. After an education in design, and many years of attending courses and masterclasses on silversmithing and jewellery design, Mike has developed a technique which enables him to make contemporary silver jewellery incorporating the patterns of Fair Isle knitting. The public are welcome to come along from 10.30am to 4.30pm on both days to watch Mike making textile inspired jewellery and to chat about his work.
‘Meet Your Maker’ is part of the Shetland Arts International Textile Festival and takes place during the last week of the festival exhibition, ‘Lighten’, at Bonhoga Gallery. The popular exhibition shows contemporary textile art by Nordic and Shetland artists who have individually explored the northern theme of ‘Lighten’ in many different forms, using textile techniques in small scale artworks.
Hazel Hughson of Shetland Arts said “As a development project, ‘Meet Your Maker’ will give our gallery visitors an insight into the thinking and skill involved in contemporary craft making. Watching the making process will encourage interest in jewellery making in particular. Inspiration and skill are evident in the contemporary jewellery we exhibit here, in work by Shetland designers and others. We are pleased to be working in partnership with Craft Scotland who selected Mike Finnie for the quality of his design and technical skills.”
Work by Mike Finnie
Meet your Maker first began in 2010 as one of Craft Scotland’s original campaigns held in the National Museums Scotland. This year it has grown into a national showcase spread across eight Scottish venues to give more people the opportunity to witness this exciting event. Using eight Scottish venues that are committed to promoting and supporting Scottish makers we will again showcase fourteen talented Scottish makers and give the public a glimpse into their creative processes from the design stage, through production to the final pieces which showcase the skill, commitment and creativity involved as well as an insight into the range of techniques designer/makers employ in their work.Stay up to date with the Craft Scotland ‘Meet your Maker’ weekend at www.craftscotland.org/mym and connect on twitter @craftscotland #csmym
Craft Scotland is a Scottish charity, working to unite, inspire and champion Scottish craft, creating opportunities for makers to showcase their work and for new audiences to experience craft.Craft Scotland’s core funding is provided by Creative Scotland, the national leader for Scotland’s arts, screen and creative industries.
Find out more at www.craftscotland.org
Opening Hours – Bonhoga Gallery, Cafe & Shop Closed on Monday Tuesday – Saturday: 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday: 12.00 – 4.30pm
Admission: Free of charge Accessibility: Disabled parking, wheelchair ramp, disabled toilet
