Made in the Middle 2025

The exhibition

Made in the Middle tells a story of exceptional contemporary craft and design made in the Midlands. This ninth version showcases the work of thirty-seven artists. They represent the region’s vibrant and diverse creative community.

Thirty-one of the artists were selected through an open call, by a panel of curators and craft experts. Many created new work for this exhibition which shows new creative developments.

The exhibitors include both emerging talents and established names. Their work highlights powerful stories about the world we live in.

Made in the Middle will be inspiring for anyone interested in making, seeing or buying craft.

Themes

In the exhibition you can explore three themes. The materials things are made from, the craft techniques used and the stories the artists want to share.

Six of the artists were invited by Guest Curator Jazz Swali, with curatorial support by Marta Marsicka. Their pieces reflect the enriching cultural impact of global migration to the region.

Crafting Pathways

We have partnered young people with professional artists. The project combines creative, skills-based learning with career guidance and advice.

The project runs until March 2025. Look out for stories coming soon.

Stories of making and migration

We have been collecting stories of making in the Midlands that are influenced by migration.
We met with ‘everyday makers’ who craft for themselves, making at home, in a local studio or with a community. Through jewellery, pottery, crochet, textiles, blacksmithing and batik, their work celebrates the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Midlands. It highlights how craft skills that migrate with the makers influence creativity.

Watch the film and look out for stories coming soon.

Environmental responsibility

Craftspace aims to be as sustainable as possible when developing and touring exhibitions. The design and print takes into account use of environmentally friendly materials and methods of production. The exhibition plinths and stands, panels and labels are all designed to be reused or recycled.

The exhibition stands have been repurposed from previous Craftspace exhibitions Made in the Middle 2012 and We are Commoners 2021, as well as some of Leicester Gallery’s temporary exhibition walls.

Supporters

Made in the Middle is a regional touring exhibition curated by Craftspace in partnership with Leicester Gallery at De Montfort University, funded by Arts Council England.

Prizes awarded to artists, recognizing excellence in a particular area, have been sponsored by the following companies:
Innovation/Mastery of Technique –  Lunts Castings
Textile Technique – Pfaff
Textiles and Fibres – Husqvarna Viking
One to Watch – Fieldings Auctioneers Ltd



Where Next?

Stories of Making & Migration

Hear stories from ‘everyday makers’.

Two arms hold a large blue pot decorated with orange shapes. It is large and round at the top tapering inwards towards the base.

Made in the Middle: Artists

See all of the artists in the exhibition.

Three abstract sculptures. They are made of irregular shaped blocks of coloured plaster. They look very solid. The colours are bright and blocky, greens, blues, pinks and yellows.

Made in the Middle 2025

Made in the Middle tells a story of exceptional contemporary craft and design made in the Midlands.

Three sculptures. They appear to include found objects made from building material. They include rough stone shapes, twisted shapes and smooth glazed forms.

Made in the Middle: Learning Resources

Resources and activities to support you visit.

Pages from the guide show and artist in their studio and a page of text titled 'stories'.


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