Since I work on my own most of the time, I find the support and knowledge sharing that occurs within various Guilds and Groups to be very useful. I belong to Brigantia, my regional craft guild, and to Made in Yorkshire, another regional organisation who specialises in organising retail fairs for their members. I also belong to two Guilds that are specific to textile art, The Guild of Silk Painters and the Batik Guild.
Brigantia is a non-profit making organisation set up to help promote art and craft businesses based in the Yorkshire Moors, Wolds and Coast. Bringing together the very best of art and craft work in the area, Brigantia carries a "label" of craftsmanship, assuring you that all the products made by its members are of the highest quality and originality. It provides a wide range of services from producing an excellent Craft Guide to helping with marketing advice, developing retail opportunities, organising exhibitions and providing training and contact with other craftspeople.
The people in Brigantia that I've met have all been friendly and enthusiastic and the organisation is well run and dedicated to helping its members. If you are an artist/craftsperson working in the area I would strongly recommend you get in touch with Brigantia and see if they can help you.
For more information contact:
Brigantia
c/o 97 Main Street
Ebberston
Scarborough
North Yorkshire
YO13 9ND
Telephone: 07976 643754
E-mail: info@brigantia.co.uk
or visit their web site at:
http://www.brigantia.co.uk
The aim of made in Yorkshire is to inspire and enlighten Yorkshire design led manufacturing businesses to widen their markets under the recognised quality of the made in Yorkshire brand. Their characteristic marquee is now recognised throughout the region for exhibiting the very best in art, craft and design, with visitors returning to seek out their favourite stands and discovering new treasures. Look out for their banners & flags.
Made in YorkshirePO Box 674
Rotherham
S60 9EB
Web site: www.madeinyorkshire.org.uk
Exhibitor Hotline:
Suzanne Marples
Tel: 01709 730618
E-mail: s.marples@madeinyorkshire.org.uk
Events Manager:
Tracie Jarvis
Tel: 07905 617961
E-mail: t.jarvis@madeinyorkshire.org.uk
The Guild of Silk Painters was founded in 1994 by a small number of enthusiastic silk painters in Hastings. Since then the membership has grown in number and it now has members in Asia, Europe and the USA. Membership of the Guild is open to anyone interested in helping the Guild achieve their aims, whether you are an established and successful silk painter, a fashion/textile student or someone beginning a new hobby.
Four times a year the Guild publishes its Journal which includes Artists' Profiles, Painters' Problems, Technical Tips, Reviews of new products, Branch News and Readers' Letters.For more information on membership, please contact:
Dave Castle
Membership Secretary
'Sunnyside'
Moorgate Road
Stoke Prior
Bromsgrove
Worcestershire
B60 4AW
Tel: 01527 821384
E-mail: membership@silkpainters-guild.co.uk or visit their web site at
http://www.silkpainters-guild.co.uk
The Batik Guild was first formed in 1986 by a small group of batik artists and has now grown into an organisation of around 200 members. The majority are based in Britain and Ireland, but some members come from further afield. Members include professional artists, amateur artists, teachers, students and those that simply enjoy doing batik. The Guild is a non-profit making organisation financed by members subscriptions. It is run by volunteers.
The Guild aims to promote and improve education in the field of batik, and encourages and supports its members as individual artists or craftspeople. Through meetings, exhibitions, lectures, workshops and a thrice yearly colour newsletter it stimulates a constructive and creative approach to the craft, and provides a forum for communications relating to new techniques.
For information on membership please contact:Thelma Russell
1 William Terrace
Norton
Stockton on Tees
TS20 2HF
E-mail: thelma@1william.freeserve.co.uk
or visit their web site at www.batikguild.org.uk