Shropshire Guild of contemporary craft

'Showing Off' incorporates not only designer makers from the Shropshire Guild, but also the Worcestershire Guild of Designer Craftsmen.

Caroline Bennett, Shropshire Guild member and organiser of 'Showing Off' said "the event promises to offer a vibrant and exciting array of talented designer makers not only from Shropshire but also from Worcestershire". Caroline continued "we have over 30 designer makers exhibiting at this free event, which is always really well supported".

Sculptor and ceramicist Caroline works from her studio near Bridgnorth creates hand built and slip cast vessels as well as figurative sculptures. Caroline said "Showing Off is a great opportunity to really show-off what we have all been making and creating throughout the year".

One new exhibitor at 'Showing Off' this year is Shropshire Guild member, Roy Abbott.

Roy, who works from his purpose built studio in All Stretton ventured into Blacksmithing in 1999, having spent 28 years in Architectural private practice.

Roy said "2009 is a special year for me. Not only have I been blacksmithing for the last 10 years but it is also my 60^th birthday this year!" Roy continued "artistic creativity has always been a particular focus of my life and I felt drawn to express my ideas in a more solid and tangible form.  Metals became my medium and blacksmithing the art form". Roy continued "the flora and fauna of the countryside are a major influence in my work - which I have taken into traditional forgework, copper repoussé and more latterly metal sculpture".

Roy is also exhibiting and demonstrating at Gorgeous this year and says "it'll be my forth time exhibiting at Gorgeous, a show of very high quality at a superb venue – long may it continue".

Another exhibitor at Showing Off this year is well known Shropshire based artist Frans Wesselman. Frans, who lives in Church Stretton creates stained glass, paintings and etchings. Frans said "my stained glass is made using traditional techniques such as etching, silver-staining and kiln-fired painting". Frans, who regularly exhibits at galleries throughout the county continued "my designs are contemporary of course but link in with the work I do in painting and etchings." Frans is a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, the the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and also the Worcester Guild of Designer Craftsmen.