Here in our Gallery at Brockholes we sell locally handmade art, craft and design by members of The Art & Craft Guild of Lancashire. A wide variety of work including ceramics, textiles, jewellery, glass, art, soap, photography and turned wood from original designs is displayed in our gallery shop. Our shop offers that something special for you or as a gift for friends or loved ones. We have four th
emed exhibitions each year featuring different guest artists from the region. The region’s new designer-led gallery, run by the Art and Craft Guild of Lancashire is in the heart of the North West and brings with it a reputation for inspirational artwork. The guild has moved from Burscough Wharf to the beautiful setting of Brockholes, in Preston a stunning nature reserve – loved by visitors from across the country. The light, bright creative space has been set out to showcase original contemporary work by artists and designers from across the region in a vibrant mix of style and content. The guild’s long established reputation in the North West goes back to the 1980s when it was first set up to give a helping hand to artists and designer-makers who wanted to earn a living from selling their artwork. The guild celebrated its silver anniversary in 2011 with the opening of its first gallery at Burscough Wharf. And now with the move to bigger premises here at Brockholes the Guild hopes to strengthen its reputation as a centre of excellence for artwork, attracting new audiences as well as retaining its strong and valued current support. “We have loved having a permanent home for our artwork” says textile artist Joanne Eddon, a founder member of the guild and one of the team which led the drive for a gallery space. “Now we are very thrilled to be here in a new and bigger gallery at Brockholes. It has given us the opportunity to have a major re-launch and to show new audiences the wonderful work of our talented artists. Another member of the team, Jane Bell, who pioneered the idea of the guild having its own gallery said “It has been great to be able to offer exhibiting space to emerging artists as well as our own artists and now we want to continue with this work in our new space at Brockholes. When it was first formed this popular collective of artists and designer makers was known as the Craft Guild of West Lancashire. Now guild members are recruited from all over Lancashire and the gallery gives them the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work in a professional environment and to run the retail space as a collective. Although the name has changed and its reach has widened, the core principles stay the same - the most significant one being that members are selected for the quality and originality of their work as well as a commitment to their art or craft. Nowadays the diverse range of inspiring arts and crafts by guild members includes fine art, photography, textiles, ceramics, glass, jewellery, hand made soap, wood and furniture - all of which are showcased in the gallery. Some visitors have become regulars while the guild has been at Burscough Wharf and members hope this will continue at their new gallery at Brockholes. “We value the many customers who have supported us over the years and hope they will be as excited as we are about our new home” added Joanne. Apart from routine day to day sales, the guild also organises a vibrant mix of courses and exhibitions each year so that the diverse range of talent among its members can be seen by a wider audience and emerging artists can have the opportunity to launch their careers under a professional spotlight.
