OPEN CALL: October Farnham Craft Month 2024
A showcase of Glasswork by UCA staff, students, alumni, and AiR

Farnham is a World Craft City, the first town in England and only the third region in Europe to be granted such status by The World Crafts Council. Only 36 other regions and cities across the globe have achieved the award and Farnham joined this innovative network, which is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities programme.

History of craft making is evident in the landscape of Farnham area demonstrated by discoveries of remains dating back 7,000 years. The legacy is still carried on to today manifested at University for the Creative Arts (UCA) courses and particularly in the Ceramic & Glass and Jewellery & Silversmithing.

Farnham’s October Craft Month celebrates creativity and the town’s reputation for being an internationally renowned destination for craft.

To celebrate the inauguration of the first Farnham Craft Town artist residency, the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) proudly presents The October Farnham Crafts Month Shaping Glass | Shaping Futures exhibition, to be held at the James Hockey Gallery from October 1st to October 31st, 2024.

UCA students, staff, AiR and alumni glass artists are invited to submit proposal and images of their work for consideration by the event committee.  We will select up to 25 artists for the exhibition.

The event is a collaboration between the UCA Surrey Gallery and the UCA Ceramic and Glass course.

What we are looking for:

We seek proposals for Glass works that represent a significant evolution in your artistic practice and reflect your influence from your time at UCA. The proposals for work are not limited to presenting glass artworks but can also include physical objects such as sketch books, experiments, and innovative tools as wells as digital formats. Some ideas for digital submissions may include films, photography, animations, documentaries of the making process, or digital representations of sketchbooks.

UCA Ceramic and Glass course

The Ceramic and Glass department at UCA hosts state of the art workshops that facilitate glass blowing, lamp working, kiln forming and cold working. Works made with any glass technique will be accepted, as will works that combine glass with other materials (at least 50% must be glass)

Who we are looking for:

We welcome applications from staff, students, UCA alumni AiR and tutors who previously taught glass at the university. 

Eligibility criteria:

Association with UCA either as former or current student, staff or AiR.

How to apply:

There is no application fee.

Only one application will be accepted per individual artist or collaborative group.

We are committed to making our opportunities accessible and easy to apply to, offering support for those facing barriers.

Applicants may submit their application as images or video recording, with a written summary of their proposal.

The application form requires detailed information including contact details, career statements, artist statements, proposal summaries, proposals, work samples. 

Application form to include:

• Name and contact details, including pronoun preference.
• Website link or social media link
• 250-word artist statement
• 200-word biography detailing your key career achievements - include your association with UCA
• 250-word statement about the proposed or pre-existing work that you intend on exhibiting
• Showreel or sample of your work via Vimeo or YouTube (optional)
• Five still images

Advice sessions with a member of the internal panel are available by appointment.

Key dates

• Deadline for Submission: 13 May 2024.
• Delivery date: week of 9 September 2024.
• Exhibition at James Hockey Gallery, Farnham, 1-31 October 2024.
• A private view Wednesday 2 October 2024, 5-7pm.
• A programme of creative industries networking and professional development events as well as artists talks – details to be confirmed.

To apply please click here.

For further information, please contact the organisers at [email protected].

I: @uca_ceramics_glass, @ucagalleriessurrey

Ceramics & Glass Course James Hockey Gallery