WAKEFIELD.- The Hepworth Wakefield’s annual Ceramics Fair has become an unmissable event for any art lover. The gallery brings together makers from all over the UK to sell unique ceramic pieces ranging from jewellery to homeware. This year, for the first time, the Ceramics Fair will be held online: hepworthwakefield.org/ceramics-fair.

Over the weekend 22 May – 25 May, The Hepworth Wakefield will be profiling the 55 artists and collectives who had, earlier in the year, been selected to take part in the Fair. With price ranges selected to suit most budgets, the makers include three winners of the Crafts Council’s Hothouse award for makers at the beginning of their careers – Jack Durling (2020), Jenny Chan (2019) and Katherine Lees (2012); Meghan Downs who was named ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the 2016 British Craft Trade Fair; and Matt Cronshaw, part of AGNI in Manchester, who was a finalist in Channel 4’s Great Pottery Throw Down. There will also be some familiar names from previous fairs at The Hepworth Wakefield returning, including Carla Murdoch and Alex Sickling. Links will take audiences directly to the artists’ own websites to purchase works to help the artists generate vital income at this difficult time.

Simon Wallis, Director of The Hepworth Wakefield, said: “The Hepworth Wakefield is a charity that is currently unable to earn the income upon which we rely so heavily, so we know what a challenging time this is for us all. However, it is particularly difficult for independent artists, many of whom have lost commissions and other contracts. This online initiative is one of the ways we are supporting the many talented artists with whom we work. I urge you to go online, find out about the exciting range of makers we are profiling and support them by purchasing some work.”

As well as featuring the makers in the Ceramics Fair, there will be Q&As with major ceramicists in Wakefield’s art collection, including John Ward and Sara Flynn. Curator diaries will reflect on historic ceramic pieces in the collection, including works by Lucie Rie and Hans Coper. As the Fair would normally feature practical workshops and children’s activities, you can have a look at the THWCreates challenges set by the gallery every fortnight since lock down and see the inspiring results in the online family gallery.