Building upon past success and now going into its fifth year, Inspiring Makers is being held at Bath’s Guildhall on Wednesday 13th May. The day-long event promises "a unique platform to connect and inspire emerging designers and makers with leading brands and influential industry voices.
"The aim is to champion traditional hand skills, preserve British craft and to encourage, train and sustain the dedicated masters of the future".
The not-for-profit conference is co-organised by Somerset-based interiors studio Artichoke and The Furniture Makers’ Company.
Previous touchpoints have included discussions about sustainability, gender, diversity, education and AI, with this year’s line-up of speakers including: Bill Amberg, founder of Bill Amberg Studio; Caroline Till, founder of FranklinTill; Belinda Joslin, founder of Women in Boatbuilding; furnituremaker and designer Fred Baier; and Freddie Armstrong and Joseph De Ferranti, the founders of Slow Ways.
Neil Fox, COO of Artichoke, comments: “Making at this level is a responsibility and privilege that we don’t carry lightly to keep traditional making skills alive. It’s as much about setting the gold standard for what true quality and artistry looks like as it is to inspire future generations.
"Here in the UK, it takes a fair amount of investment to re-train as a highly skilled craftsperson – something that has become increasingly exclusive, which is why our focus is on our own grassroots initiatives to young people. Inspiring Makers, alongside our educational outreach programmes such as apprenticeships, are a key part of our business, to continue to meet the demand for the skill required for the historic and significant homes that we have the honour of working in and in turn supporting British industry.”
David Dewing, chairman of The Furniture Makers’ Company's South West Region, comments: “This is a conference aimed at anyone with a passion for design, craft and making related to furniture, furnishings and interiors. This is a sector where innovation, high-quality skills and exceptional creativity are the key to success.
"Our chosen speakers will share their experience and expertise and talk about their own journeys, what has worked for them and what motivates them. We’ll hear how they have managed change, how they keep their work exciting and dynamic and what they think about the future of their profession. We expect an audience of around 150 people, mostly at the start of their careers, as well as many already well established. So this is a great opportunity to meet people with similar interests, able to offer advice, make connections and open doors. Our aim is to inspire, so come and be inspired!”
Tickets are £15 for students and £25 for general admission, including lunch and refreshments. Limited spaces are available and can be purchased here.
Inspiring Makers is taking place from 9am-5pm on 13th May at Guildhall, Bath and is supported by Artichoke, The Furniture Makers’ Company, Sykes Timber, Castelan, Wolf Components, Halstock and Ergochair.
