A Language of Clay - Podcast

Before lockdown our CEO Beth Alden went to Fire Works Clay studios in Cardiff to meet with three of the participants of our current exhibition ‘A Language of Clay’ – artists Zoe Preece and Lisa Krigel and curator Ceri Jones. At the time, the exhibition was due to open in just a few weeks’ time. We recorded a podcast that day, with the three discussing their relationship with ceramics, their influences and also their favourite hand-made things. Enjoy listening.

The exhibition is at New Brewery Arts until the 3rd October. Please pre-book your visit online.

For more information about the project, including films and publications visit languageofclay.wales

“I was in awe of this cup, I was just in a place of wonder at this cup. I knew the raw materials I’d made it from, and I knew the whole process to get there and there was this really fine bone china cup. It was almost like it was the first time I’d seen a cup, it was that kind of feeling. ”

— Zoe Preece

Make a pledge to support Craft

We reopened our shop a week ago, and it has been delightful to welcome back many regular supporters. Our exhibition gallery opens on the 1st August and we are hopeful classes will resume in September.

While we might be getting back to normal, things remain tough for craftspeople. Many independent makers, craftspeople and designers have – throughout lockdown – been hit especially hard. Not only have many not received furlough, or been able to claim support as a business but they have lost out on routes to earn a livelihood. Craft fairs and exhibitions have been cancelled throughout 2020, and other opportunities to earn an income such as teaching evaporated throughout lockdown.

Reopening our doors feels like a huge step in reopening opportunities for crafts people to make a living. Our ongoing relationship with craftspeople plays a pivotal role in creating a fair, earned wage. We hepl sustain the livelihood of over 400 UK craftspeople every year, supporting independent makers and small studios, heritage craft methods and new craft thinking.

As a charity we are here to connect people with the hand-made and promote the joy and fulfilment of making. We have striven to do what we can to support craftspeople over lockdown. We supported our on-site studios by reducing studio fees for 6 months and we worked with the #DigitalCraftFestival promoting makers and craft.

We don’t support makers alone; you do all this too. Your purchase in the shop or online, booking of a class, your donation to our charity, enables us to support craftspeople.

But, these are extraordinary times – we need your help more than ever so we can work to support craft and creativity in all our lives. Give a pledge to help us support craft, through a small, regular donation. You can make your pledge here.

We are determined to continue, despite the tough months past and the uncertainty ahead. The impact of 2020 will be profound on New Brewery Arts. We hope you will join us and continue supporting, and enabling craft.

Beth Alden
CEO New Brewery Arts

We are reopening

There have been times since March that I thought I’d maybe never get to write this particular blog post, it’s the one I’ve been waiting for since lockdown. Because this is the moment where I can say that we are reopening, and we can get back to doing what we do best – connecting people with the hand-made, and promoting the joy and fulfilment of making and celebrates the role of craft and creativity in all our lives.

As with so many business and organisations things won’t be quite the same as they were before, here at New Brewery Arts we have decided to take our time and to reopen gradually starting with our shop.

We’re implementing changes to make sure visitors are safe and that staff can manage everything that goes on behind the scenes to keep you safe when you visit us. Thanks in advance for your help and understanding with the ‘new-normal’. Here’s what our new opening will look like, what we will be doing and what we will ask of you.

We’re reopening just our shop for now. So, you can come and buy beautiful hand-made work, directly supporting independent makers, many of whom have really struggled throughout lockdown. Our shop will reopen on the 1st July.

You can also visit our studios – but do check with them directly to make sure they are open when you visit. Their contact details are on our website.

We’ll ask you to enter through our main front doors, and please use the hand sanitiser provided before entering our shop, please also respect social distancing as you visit, and exit through our back courtyard.

The biggest change is our new opening hours. We are open Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am-5pm (closed for lunch 1.45-2.15pm)

Our café, toilets, gallery, accommodation and classes remain closed throughout July.

Staff will be gradually returning from furlough, and many are working from home and part-time. The best way to get in touch with us is by email, and you can find our contact email addresses on our website.

But more than anything I want to say thank you - we received so many kind words and support when we closed, I know that this will continue as we work to #buildbackbetter.

Racial and social justice and equality: A statement from New Brewery Arts

The focus and debate on racial injustice, inequality and structural privilege mustn’t be ignored, and on behalf of everyone at New Brewery Arts I want to make our position clear.

New Brewery Arts recognises the historic social and racial injustices and inequalities inherent in the world, and that those are present in our world of craft. The work necessary to make craft a better place for those who have been marginalised or left out has not happened, and we have been part of that.

As we gradually reopen New Brewery Arts (as the easing of lockdown permits) we will work positively to be inclusive, equitable and sustainable to the benefit of all, our community here in Cirencester and the wider craft community.

We want to create a future where everyone feels at home, included, and we will find our way through listening, discussion and action. We will use our agency and be open to tough questions and conversations. This first step is a genuine call to ask you how we can do better – just contact me via email or respond to this blog.

Beth Alden
CEO, New Brewery Arts