The 3^rd annual Cork Craft Month launched today, 10^th July 2012, with the unveiling of plans to make Cornmarket Street and surrounding areas in Cork city a cultural corner for the month long festival with the theme – And the city becomes a village, based on the well-known poem by John McCarthy. Running from the 10^th August to 9^th September 2012, the festival is run by Cork Craft and Design, a volunteer group set up by craft people in Cork to promote the industry in the city and county.

Supported by Cork County and City Enterprise Boards, Cork City and County Councils, Failte Ireland and the Crafts Council of Ireland, the month is set to attract over 50,000 visitors. The annual festival will feature over 25 events together with “Made in Cork” and “Open Studio” Trails to highlight Cork craft in galleries, shops, pop-ups and studios across the city and county throughout the month.

Speaking on the launch Fergal O’Leary, Chairperson, Cork Craft and Design said, “This year we want to bring craft back to the city. Along with a host of events around the county, we are creating a craft village in the city with exhibitions, pop-up shops and fairs running in Cornmarket Street and surrounding areas throughout the month. Our aim is to create a cultural hub in the heart of the city.’

The craft village will also feature the Locus furniture exhibition and an exhibition at Designworks Studio, along with the Craft Carnival running from the 23^rd to 26^th August. Other events taking place around the city include a Woodturning exhibition at the Wandesworth Quay Gallery, an exhibition by the Cork Textile Network at the 20/20 Gallery and the Lavit Gallery will host an Irish Craft Exhibition.  Details of all events in the city and county can be found on the Cork Craft and Design website:  www.corkcraftanddesign.com.

“Our aim with the Craft Month is to highlight the limitless talent of craft people in Cork. People have a perception of craft being small cottage industries, the reality is we have cutting edge designers right here in Cork producing pieces worn on the world stage by stars such Florence Welch and KT Tunstall.” added Fergal.

A key event in this year’s programme is the Cork Creates 2012 exhibition being held at the Old Mill, Kinsale from the 10^th to 26^th August. This exhibition showcases the beautiful range of craft produced by Cork based craft people including pieces by ceramists, glass blowers, milliners and jewellery designers.

Another new event in this year’s programme is the Meet the Maker classes which will be held at Cornmarket St and Kinsale Pottery with demonstrations being held throughout the month in locations such as Blarney Castle, West Cork Crafts in Skibbereen, The Courtyard Midleton and Open Studios around the county. This is a great opportunity to learn a unique craft under the guidance of a master crafts person. Classes available include textiles, ceramics, jewellery, painting and more.

The Courtyard Midleton will be home to a number of craft events during Cork Craft Month.  These will include an Open Day with craft classes, demonstrations and an Art & Craft Fair on August 11^th and in conjunction with the Midleton Food Festival on September 8th, The Courtyard will host a Craft Village with demonstrations, classes and local crafts.

Skibbereen will also celebrate Cork Craft Month in style with The West Cork Crafts welcoming visitors to their studio, home to well-known local craft designers such as Alice Halliday.  The West Cork Craft & Design Guild will set up a craft pop up shop in Skibbereen town centre to showcase the work of their members and Designs craft shop in Main St. is part of the “Made in Cork” Trail.

Admission to all events is free of charge. Meet the Maker classes cost €15 for 1 class (for a 90 min class), participates can buy three classes and get one free.  Special family deals are also available and can be booked on the Cork Craft and Design Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CorkArtDesign