If Oxfordshire has a wealth of professional craftsmen then it has a dearth of exhibiting space, writes Katherine MacAlister.
The majority of artists are scattered throughout the county, working away in their studios and relying on passing trade, their reputations and commissions to get by. Which is why the Oxfordshire Craft Guild is such a lifeline to so many and provides the public with a perfect forum to see their wealth of talent all in one room.
The guild's Christmas show began on Thursday, November 23 and 32 artisans will be exhibiting their work for a month at Woodstock's Oxfordshire Museum. Although 50 per cent of members are potters, they also include jewellers, pewtersmiths, dressmakers, glassblowers, woodturners, silkprinters and furniture makers, and all of them have been specially chosen because of their skill.
The Oxfordshire Craft Guild started in 1989 and is not only providing a valuable livelihood to its members but helping to educate the public on the need to support local craftsmen and women, especially at Christmas.
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