An opportunity for artists and artisans

Image: Birches Glossop Road by Cath Dunn

Peak District Artisans are throwing their doors open to new talent.

The group wants to recruit more members to their association of fine artists and designer makers based in and around the Cheshire and Derbyshire Peak District which offers an opportunity for up-and-coming artists and craftspeople to become part of a bigger group.

Anyone joining the PDA gets the support of their peers, the opportunity to exhibit in prestigious venues such as Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall and also exhibit at the Great Dome Art & Design Fair at the Devonshire Dome in Buxton.

There are three intakes a year and the next one will be on May 2nd.

“The last two years have been tough ones for our artists and artisans,” said artist Cath Dunn, who deals with PDA membership.

“Throughout this time we have been continuing to support artistic activities. We think it is important to ensure that those working in the arts in and around the Peak District get all the help they can, which is why we are very keen to give new recruits the opportunity to join us.”

Standards are high in the PDA, however the benefits are huge with many artists and artisans finding themselves exhibiting and selling in places they would find it difficult to access individually. 

Said Cath: “Being a member of PDA has been extremely valuable to me in many ways. Not only is PDA a friendly and supportive group, but they are a fountain of knowledge on all things connected with showing and presenting my paintings – thank you PDA.”

Rachel Evans is another of the craftspeople who deals with membership. She explained the process involve in becoming a PDA member:

 “We rely on artists finding out and being interested in joining us. If any of our members meet artists at shows that we think might meet the criteria, we chat to them and point them at the PDA website initially for them to find out more. They then fill in a form to apply and the form goes out to our committee to decide if they meet the ‘criteria’. If the majority agree then they are invited to interview with a panel,” she said.

“We are particularly keen for 3d artists to apply, they may not know that the group welcomes 3d artists, sculptors, craftspeople and artisans.”

Rachel who creates willow baskets under the name Wheatcroft Willow continued: 

“For me personally, joining the PDA has been a great confidence boost. Members are selected for the quality of their work, so I was so pleased to be selected. Baskets are often seen as the poor, rural relation in the craft world, so being able to show my work at venues such as the Buxton Dome and Chatsworth and being able to discuss them with customers who appreciate art and artisan-made products have really helped to increase my sales and raised my profile.”

Others agree that the PDA umbrella has many advantages.

Linocut artist Louise Edwards explained: “Being accepted into the PDA, apart from being an enormous help with confidence in my work, has also been a huge help to stabilise and broaden my business planning. I have always been an employee and as such, was comfortable doing the tasks I was given. As a self-employed artist I found that I easily floundered and struggled with marketing and sales. The PDA has given me focus and so much help and advice. I realised within the first few weeks that membership was going to supercharge my career in art!”

Phillip Cox of Heartwood Crafts UK is also reaping the benefits of belonging to the PDA. He said: “Being a member of PDA has given me confidence in my craft and helped me to develop my artistry. We work together to promote our art, reflect the environment we live in and encourage individual expression”