Craft Spotlight shows

The first of four ‘Spotlight’ craft exhibitions – solo shows highlighting the work of Highland makers -  opens on 1st May 2010  at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery to coincide with  Craft Month and Craft Festival Scotland. The makers for the four Spotlight exhibitions are Jenny Deschenes, textiles: Laura West, bookbinding; Lucy Woodley, jewellery and Daniel Kavanagh, ceramics.

The exhibitions are part of the Making Progress HI-Arts mentoring and business support scheme for mid career makers. Since November 2009 the four makers have worked with their mentors, jewellers Eileen Gatt and Gilly Langton as well as HI-Arts Craft Development coordinator, Pamela Conacher to develop their skills and business to a new level.

An integral part of the programme has been the opportunity to focus on creating new work for their Spotlight exhibtion at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery. Working with The Highland Council Exhibitions Unit they have learnt valuable skills in curating, marketing and management.

The first Spotlight artist, Jenny Deschenes is a textile designer specialising in hand screen printing and embroidery. She uses vintage fabrics as she has always loved the idea of ‘making do’ and of passing on history. Her collections involve the re-working of such fabrics and ephemera and due to their origin and the rarity of the fabrics each piece is unique. Drawing is an important part of Jenny’s work, which she interprets into her designs. Principally inspired by being a Shetlander, her drawings come from things she remembers from her childhood.

Spotlight on …Jenny Deschenes will run from 1st - 29th May in the Small Gallery at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. The next Spotlight show, featuring the work of bookbinder Laura West will open on 5th June.