Manchester’s historic Victoria Baths will host hundreds of the UK’s best designers this weekend.
The much-loved craft fair will take place over the weekend of 14 to 16 October and will feature 200 of the UK’s finest designer-makers – including jewellers, furniture makers, metalsmiths and printmakers.
Established in 2008 by Thomas Heatherwick, the GNCCF is a cultural highlight in Manchester’s autumn calendar, attracting exhibitors and buyers nationwide as well as being awarded Small Event of the Year at the Manchester Tourism Awards twice.
Event co-organiser Victoria Scholes said: “There’s no other fair in the country that does what GNCCF does.
“Talking to people who work with their hands, love what they do and have such breath-taking talent is the ultimate feel-good experience.”
Promoting high-quality, cutting-edge handcrafted items is the main aim of the GNCCF – giving designers a platform to sell their work as well as enabling people from all backgrounds to experience craft and making.
Fairgoers can expect a diverse range of talents from independent to professional makers, all handpicked by a panel of craft experts – as well as the opportunity to buy and commission rare pieces and talk to the artists themselves.
Gabi Komar – a ceramicist of twelve years from Greater Manchester – participated at GNCCF last year and has expressed her excitement to return this year selling highly decorative, tactile ceramic bowls.
Speaking exclusively to Mancunian Matters, she said: “I’ll look forward to showing my work at one of the most prestigious events of the craft world.
“It’s great, top-level exposure. I also look forward to bringing my work to a wider audience.”
The fair – organised by the not-for-profit company Great Northern Events NW Ltd – will also feature a showcase of ideas to heal the planet from University of Bolton ‘Green Grads’, alongside hands-on textile and print workshops by the university’s students and staff.
Blackpool-based designer and academic Angy Young will present an exhibition of repurposed fashion within Victoria Baths.
A unique piece of artwork created by members of partner charity Oasis in Manchester will also be exclusively on display at the fair – alongside workshops giving fairgoers the opportunity to do some upcycling themselves.
With rows of craft stands expected to stretch along the tiled floor of the old swimming pools, Victoria Baths – a Grade II-listed attraction and the set of season two of Peaky Blinders – is the home for the award-winning event.
Designed by Henry Price and opened in 1906, Victoria Baths hosts an annual season of cultural and recreational events in a heritage setting.
Recent events at the baths have included the Night Market and the Indy Man Beer Con, both earlier this month.
The GNCCF will open to the public from 10am on Friday 14 October to 4pm on Sunday 16 October.
Advance tickets are now on sale via www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk
Images: Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2021; photo by Jo Shaw
