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‘Nurture’, An exhibition by East Anglian based Design Nation members | 4th – 27th July 2024

Nurture (verb) – care for and protect (someone or something) while they are growing

Thursday 4th July to Saturday 27th July
Open Thursday-Saturday 10am to 5pm in the Upstairs Gallery at designermakers21

Saturday 20th July 11am-3pm – Meet the Makers

Design Nation is the leading membership portfolio for contemporary craft and design in the UK. The East Anglian group hub was formed in 2020, and connects makers working from their studios in Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk. Having met frequently over zoom for the past four years, six members have come together to exhibit their work. ‘Nurture’ encapsulates an exploration of each maker’s connections with their local environment.

Working across disciplines including Weave, Embroidery, Ceramics, French Beading and Mixed Media, the conversations, and connections, between makers’ practices centre around becoming increasingly environmentally conscious.
Makers draw upon a variety of backgrounds and experiences, from working in the fashion and textile industry, to an increasing awareness of the amount of plastic in everyday life. The impact of human activity and climate change on the East Anglian landscape, serve as a catalyst for all six makers to strive to reduce the environmental impact of their work. Many utilise waste materials; transforming single use plastic, paper pulp and nylon offcuts into highly tactile, contemporary art works, and repurposing textile industry surplus yarns to create handwoven interior pieces.
Where materials cannot be repurposed, artists make conscious decisions about sourcing sustainable materials, minimising waste and energy consumption. All seek to achieve balance and harmony with the natural environment.

Featuring Work by:
Caroline Hyde-Brown
Holly Parr
Pamela Print
Lucie Summers
Kate Welton
Karen Whiterod

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‘Grand Draw’ of Jacqui Petrie Artworks, 100 works, 100 winners | tickets available from designermakers21 until 25th November

Grand Draw of Jacqui Petrie artworks, raising funds for designermakersCIO Save Our Story appeal to secure the future of designermakers21.

the grand draw of Jacqui Petrie artworks poster, on until the 25th November
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“Just One More Cornetto” – Swervy World at designermakers21, ‘Authentic ragtime jazz cabaret band’ | Thursday 2nd November, doors open 6pm, music from 7pm. Raising funds for designermakersCIO ‘Save Our Story’ appeal.

We are delighted that Swervy World will be performing at designermakers21, on Thursday 2nd November.

A traditional jazz band playing an eclectic mix of rock ‘n’ roll, jump blues, boogie woogie, surf ska, blue beat and occasionally traditional jazz! Swervy World is a national touring band, on the road since 1996. Working with all acoustic instruments, the troupe’s speciality is two fold: village hall dances in rural communities, and outdoor street parades.

Tickets £10

Doors open 6pm

Music & Dancing from 7pm

Delicious food, licenced bar & an ‘Art Tombola’

Tickets are available in house at designermakers21. Proceeds from the night will go straight to designermakersCIO ‘Save Our Story’ appeal to purchase 21 St Nicholas Street.

Swervy World gig at designermakers21 Thursday 2nd December 2023
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Smartphone Photography Workshop with Lucy Kayne | Saturday 2nd December, 10am-1pm

Join us for an interactive workshop with local photography tutor Lucy Kayne.

smartphone photography workshop with Lucy KAyne on Saturdau 2nd December 2023 at designermakers21 10an-1pm
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‘Focus on Drawing’ at desigermakers21, a month long project celebrating drawing in its many forms. 19th October – 24th November

A month long project celebrating drawing in its many forms.

Including an exhibition of drawings in the upstairs gallery at designermakers21, and a ‘Grand Draw’ of 100 Jacqui Petrie artworks to raise funds for the Save Our Story appeal. The exhibition will be accompanied by five Saturdays of drawing events open to the public, culminating with an exciting ‘Draw-Off’ on Saturday 25th November (evening event) between two local high school 6th Form Students, who will draw collaboratively on a large scale in our gallery space.

Drawing Events…

Saturday 21st October:

Members and invited artists demonstrate different drawing techniques such as charcoal, pencil, pen & ink, with ‘have a go’ sessions.

Demonstration on the ground floor by visually impaired artist Megan Welton.

Saturday 28th October:

Book Launch of ‘Wolf and Bear’ by illustrator and author Kate Rolfe. Kate will be running children’s drawing workshops throughout the day.

Diss based illustrator Suzanne Breeze demonstrates her drawing style, and offers a chance to contribute to a joint drawing.

Book Launch of ‘Forage and Stitch’ by Caroline Hyde-Brown

Saturday 4th November:

Book Launch of ‘Forage and Stitch’ by member Caroline Hyde-Brown.

Life Drawing with clothed model, drop-in drawing sessions 11am-2pm.

Guest Artist, Alona Markina gives a talk and demonstration of her quirky drawing style, and an opportunity to draw people in a group.

Saturday 11th November:

Pyrography demonstration by artists David and Becky Whatley.

More mixed drawing techniques with members and invited artists.

Saturday 18th November:

Drawing through printmaking…

Monotype with Jacqui Petrie – drop in sessions

Lithography/etching with Paul Sharrock

Drypoint engraving with Annette Rolston (3hr bookable workshop £15pp)

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Norfolk Open Studios | 23rd September – 7th October 2023

designermakers21 is taking part in Norfolk Open Studios again this September and October. The studios will be open 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th, 30th September, and the 5th, 6th & 7th October 10am-5pm.

Come along and meet our members in their studios, learn about a variety of craft processes, and browse the work in the galleries.

On Saturday 7th October take part in Textiles in Action, a day of demonstrations and have-a-go sessions with resident and visiting textile artists.


norfolk open studios 2023
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Textiles in Action Day , process demonstrations and drop in ‘have a go’ sessions at designermakers21 | Saturday 7 October  11am-3pm  

Explore the textiles on display in both the Corn Hall and designermakers21. Come and join us to try your hand at a range of surface processes and watch artists at work!

Demonstrations of Surface Textiles processes with visiting artists:

Batik Demonstration with Helen Dougall

Machine Embroidery demonstration with Jean Fryer

‘Have a Go’ drop in sessions with our members:

Natural Dyeing with Caroline Hyde-Brown

SAORI Weaving with Kim Morgan

Sashiko inspired visible mending with Marie Mallen


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SAORI V – An Exhibition of work by 21 East Anglian SAORI Weavers | 7th September – 13th October in the upstairs exhibition space at designermakers21

Showcasing new work by SAORI hand weavers. Works include hangings, wearable pieces and yarns.

Open from the 7th September, Thursday to Saturday 10am-5pm.


saori weaving exhibition at designermakers21 september 2023

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The Nettle Dress Film | Wednesday 13th September 10am and 7pm at The Corn Hall, Diss

The Nettle Dress Film 

Wednesday 13th September 10am and 7pm @ The Cornhall, Diss

This beautifully constructed documentary sensitively tracks the journey of textile artist Allan Brown who spent seven years making a dress by hand using only the fibre of locally foraged stinging nettles.

Full details and tickets here


the nettle dress film poster credit Dylan Howitt
credit Dylan Howitt
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A Celebration of Textiles – Surface | 2nd September – 14th October 2023, The Corn Hall, Diss

In collaboration with designermakers21, this year’s exhibition will feature a selection of textile artists who utilise the surface of textiles to showcase their practice, encompassing a myriad of processes including: batik, natural dye, agri-textiles, fabric manipulation, embroidery and collage. The exhibitors will include designermakers21 residents, as well as eminent textile artists.

The exhibition will be held at The Corn Hall, Diss, open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm.