Artistic Programming 2010

Walford Mill Crafts will promote contemporary craft practice through an exhibition programme that focuses on the quality of work displayed and its ability to stimulate, educate and challenge an audience.

The exhibition programme will reflect on the widest parameters of craft practice, purposefully engaging a variety of forms, techniques and materials. The programme will approach work:

• Thematically
• Through the voice of the individual maker
• Through collective efforts

In particular, over a five year period, Walford Mill Crafts will explore through its exhibition programme the following themes:

• Eco - Crafts (Taking into account the special natural environment of Walford Mill and related crafts)
• Change (The artist/maker making a radical risk-taking shift in practice)
• Contemporary Textile Practice (Exploring the rich variety of textile mediums)
• Emerging makers (With a special focus on makers from the region)
• The craft dynasty ( Focus on family practices and/or champions of craft and their prodigies)
• International Work ( Exploring opportunities to either tour work abroad or bring international makers to Walford Mill)

Walford Mill Crafts will develop its unique role as the strategic centre for the exhibition of craft in the public domain in Dorset and the surrounding regions through this dedicated exhibition programme.

Walford Mill Crafts will curate shows and select exhibitions from appropriate national touring partners and venues. Two fixed points will be the mixed 'Summer' and 'Christmas' selling exhibitions.