Craft in the Bay gallery

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The Craft in the Bay gallery opened in 2002 as the new base for the Makers Guild in Wales. The guild was formed in 1984 to bring together craft workers and promote their work. The guild’s members work in a wide range of materials including ceramics, textiles, silver, leather and glass. See below for a video of one of the textile artists, Alison Moger, talking about her work and how mythology often inspires her.

Portrait of potter Molly Curley at workThe building incorporates framework from Cardiff docks’ D Shed, a warehouse built in the mid-19th century at the west side of Bute East Basin. The building was occupied by the Belfast-Greenock-Glasgow Steam Packet Line from 1889 until the basin was filled in during the 1960s. A rail connection was provided to the D Shed, and perishable goods – such as coffee, tea, sugar, flour and potatoes – were stored there while in transit.

The cast-iron framework was dismantled in 1999 and re-assembled at the present site in 2001 and 2002 as the core of the new gallery building. This building, including an extension and contemporary wall cladding, was designed by Noel Architects. Slates from Penrhyn quarry, Gwynedd, were used for the new roof. The word “Rhymney” is embossed on some of the original roof trusses. This refers to their manufacturer, the Rhymney Iron Company.

The Makers Guild in Wales was formed after craft fairs proliferated but without any controls over the quality of craftwork. Molly Curley, an accomplished potter, brought together c.16 makers at her local church hall and they agreed to form an organised body, which later became the guild. Molly (pictured) supported various charities and campaigns and inspired many people as a teacher and maker. She died aged 93 in January 2022.

Postcode: CF10 4QH    View Location Map

Website of the Makers Guild in Wales

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