The exhibition was created by Waterford City and County Council’s Creative Ireland Programme in collaboration with the Waterford Local Enterprise Office with the aim of supporting the wealth of talent and creativity in the designer and makers community in Waterford City and County. It was open to the public for 18 days and had a total footfall of over 687 visitors.

The Waterford Designers & Makers Exhibition showcased the work of Waterford based design and crafts community, reflecting on the theme of Waterford and what it means to this community. Exhibition curator Vincent O’Shea based the exhibition on the creativity involved in craft work and showcased several areas of craft and design including glass works, basket weaving, leather goods, jewellery, woodturning, furniture, porcelain, textiles and ceramics.

The exhibition was launched by Dr Audrey Whitty, Deputy Director of the National Museum of Ireland who was very impressed by the standard of work in the exhibition. Her remarks and presence on the night gave the exhibition strong validation and gave individual makers the opportunity to meet with an extremely influential figure in decorative arts in Ireland internationally.

Katherine Collins, Waterford Cultural Quarter Project Manager & Creative Waterford Coordinator explained the importance of the exhibition and the aim for Creative Waterford is to support the excellent culture and creativity in county Waterford, and this exhibition truly celebrated that aim. Events like the Waterford Designers & Makers Exhibition are so important to the city, the county and the region.

The exhibition featured pieces from glass artist Áine Ryan, master glass cutter Eamonn Terry, basket weaver Cathy Hayden, artist Shelia Naughton, leather work maker Frank Cullinane, wood turner Fred O’Mahony, jeweller Gemma O Leary, furniture maker James Mc Donald, designer Kathrin Greif-Maher and ceramic makers Adele Stanley, Ann Marsh, Cora Cummins, Eileen Singleton, Jane Jermyn, Kathleen Dobbyn, Laura McNamara, Paula Ilecka- Jozwiak and Vivien O’Malley.

More information and the full exhibition brochure can be viewed online at https://thisiswaterford.ie/waterford-designers-and-makers-exhibition/