The annual celebration of cutting-edge design and beautiful craftsmanship which makes up the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) will take place at Old Granada Studios in Manchester from 6-9 October 2016. This award-winning not-for-profit event, the largest in the North, will bring together over 160 of the UK’s most talented designer-makers, real-time making and an exhibition of museum-quality contemporary craft to offer visitors a unique experience.

Now in its ninth year, the GNCCF is supported by Arts Council England with the aim of championing and promoting contemporary craft and designer-makers. This carefully curated event will delight everyone from those looking to buy the beautiful and unique direct from the hand that made it, to those wanting to see work by critically-acclaimed artists in the Ornament exhibition.

All of the designer-makers taking part have been selected by an independent panel for their excellence, with interior and fashion textiles, glass, jewellery, ceramics, metalwork, furniture, print-making and more on show at the event. As well as emerging and established makers, the curated Great Northern Graduates will showcase best new design talent selected from the region’s degree shows.

This vibrant event will also bring craft alive through Craftworks - a programme of workshops, pop-up studios and talks by leading designer-makers enabling visitors to learn about the inspiration, materials, making process and stories behind the work of these passionate artists and makers. Celebrated ceramicist Zoe Lloyd will make new work under the gaze of show visitors as the GNCCF’s Artist in Residence and mixed media artist Harriet Lawton will return as Installation Artist to share the artwork she created with help of visitors as part of the event last year.

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair takes place Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 October 2016 at Old Granada Studios, Manchester. Advance day tickets cost £6 / £5 concessions (plus booking fee). On-the-door day tickets are £7.50 / £6 concessions.

For more information and to buy tickets visit www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk, or follow on Facebook and Twitter.