When we made the decision to
devote the gallery space and grounds to the Cornwall Crafts Association (CCA)
during July and August, the exhibition seemed a long way off, now it is almost
here and the work of fifty makers has been delivered. As usual on these
occasions, it is like Christmas every day as we unpack boxes and unwind the
bubble wrap.
The event, as our flyer
indicates, is in two month long shows and everyone who visits will be able to
come again and see a new set of exhibitors in the main gallery. We know that
there is a deal of excitement on the Peninsular about this exhibition. For many
of these makers, it is an opportunity to reach a new audience and for others to
renew their relationship with Bevere. What we like is that the majority of
makers have never shown here before. We have discovered a wealth of talent and
craft skills, which we are delighted to share with our visitors.
The exhibitors involved are too
numerous to mention individually and it would be invidious to name only one or
two amongst so many exceptional makers. The main body of work is from
ceramicists, as you would expect at Bevere, however, the CCA represents a wide
range of arts and crafts and we have furniture makers, sculptors, printmakers,
textile artists, jewellers and glass makers, who have been equally delighted to
be part of this celebration of Cornwall’s art and craft.
It is good to have potters who
have trained and worked at the old Leach pottery and other makers whose work is
redolent of the Cornish land and seascape. The French call this ‘terroir’, which in essence is about the
influence of location or the spirit of place, if you will. We cannot be certain
that the weather will be kind to us – although we can but hope – needless to
say it will take more than rain to dampen the spirit and the heart that clearly
pervades this exceptional event.
Stuart Dickens
Stuart Dickens
