QEST Alumni feature across London Craft Week 2024

29th April 2024

With London Craft Week fast approaching, now is the time to mark your calendar with these not-to-be-missed events.

London Craft Week is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, happening from 13-19 May at over 200 separate locations across London. The city-wide festival celebrates exceptional craftsmanship, across multiple sectors and disciplines, from around the world.

The festival brings together over 750 established and emerging makers, designers, brands, galleries and craft organisations, including QEST.

Many QEST Alumni will be exhibiting their work at events throughout the week:

CRAFTWORKS (15-17 May, Shoreditch Town Hall)

Craftworks visitors will have the opportunity to hear from QEST Alumni Lulu Harrison, Sofia Karakatsanis and David Morrish in a discussion on Friday 17 May at 2.30pm.

Chaired by QEST CEO Deborah Pocock, Material Masters’ will shine a light on the moments that have shaped their practices, and how they are working with designers and brands today.

*Sofia* *Karakatsanis’ pieces for Craftworks. Image credit: Yeshen Venema*

At Craftworks, QEST’s stand will also feature works by Justyna Medon (wallpaper conservation), Robert Walker (sign writing) and Kate Colin (paper folding) who will showcase their crafts and demonstrate their skills alongside David, Sofia and Lulu.

Elsewhere at Craftworks, QEST Alumni Bex Simon (blacksmithing), Kumiko Kihara (jewellery), Mel Howse (glass), Momoka Gomi (hand weaving), Susannah Weiland (hand embroidery) and Willow Bloomfield (metal work) are also exhibiting.

Book your free ticket here.

FUTURE ICONS SELECTS (16-19 May, Oxo Tower Wharf’s Industrial Bargehouse)

Future Icons Selects is set to be this year’s largest showcase of contemporary crafts.

Among the 50 makers featured are QEST Emerging Maker Caitlin Murphy and Scholar Valerie Wartelle.

*Valerie Wartelle making new work for Future Icons Selects. Image credit: Fiona Pickles*

Wet felting maker Valerie is creating two new large pieces to exhibit while silversmith Caitlin is also making new jewellery.

The event is free to attend – book your ticket here.

Elsewhere at London Craft Week

Our Alumni are exhibiting at a range of other events across the week, including:

Frances Priest (20 years of Cavaliero Finn and Secret Ceramics)
Jacqui Ramrayka (V&A)
Annabel Hood (Taste the Sublime)
Max Bainbridge and Abigail Booth (Forest & Found) (Crafts Council THIS COUNTRY: Contemporary Art Exhibition)
Frances Pinnock (Crafts Council THIS COUNTRY: Contemporary Art Exhibition)
Wayne Meeten (Nina Campbell x Helen Chislett Gallery)
Tom Vaughan (Nina Campbell x Helen Chislett Gallery)
Sabina de Oliveira Lima (A Novice Approach, Carréducker)
Deborah Carré (Coaxed, Carréducker)

*QEST Alumni Sabina de Lima’s shoes to be exhibited at A Novice Approach with Carréducker*.

Scholar Melissa White will also be presenting a live demonstration of a bespoke mural she’s created in collaboration with John Smedley to celebrate the company’s 240th anniversary on 16 May. The product launch is on at the Jermyn Street store from 6pm.

All the details can be found here.

Check out the London Craft Week website for all the activities across the week.