Seven Scottish art school graduates have been given a springboard to launch their careers.
As part of a collaboration between Tea Green Events and Fife Contemporary, the designers are being given a free space to exhibit and sell at Tea Green Events’ winter markets at both V&A Dundee and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
The markets will held at V&A Dundee from Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December and at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December 2024.
The move coincides with Tea Green Events’ 10th year in business, with other winter markets heading to Aberdeen Art Gallery, National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh, Bowhouse in Fife and The Burrell Collection in Glasgow.
The seven designers, who all graduated in 2023, have been participating in Fife Contemporary’s year-long Materialise programme. Now in its seventh year, the programme offers a range of opportunities spanning bursaries, professional development, residencies and online and in-person exhibitions.
From Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow-based jewellers Niamh Wright and Alice Biolo are joined by textile designers Anita Sarkezi and Helen Etherton.
Meanwhile, Dylan Lothian from Aberdeen, who graduated from Gray’s School of Art (fashion and textiles) is joined by fellow graduate Marta Lesniak , from Ellon, Aberdeenshire (objects). Morgan Hagan from Edinburgh completes the group, a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee (fashion/textiles).
Alice Biolo commented: “I’m excited for the opportunity to showcase my work at institutions and venues like V&A Dundee and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Having visited these museums many times, it feels surreal to be now presenting my work there. I’ve found the Tea Green Events to be carefully curated, with exceptional craftsmanship, and showcasing alongside such talented artists is a great privilege. I’m looking forward to building new connections with visitors and fellow artists participating in the event.
“Materialise has been a fantastic experience and source of support, and I’m grateful to Tea Green Events for allowing us to join one of their events to showcase emerging artists like myself. With a substantial footfall, I hope to reach a wider audience who can connect with and appreciate the narrative and conceptual aspects of my jewellery.”
Specialising in carefully curated markets within some of Scotland’s most stunning creative spaces, Tea Green Events founder and Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen commented:
“When I started out in my career, I was acutely aware of the lack of curated markets where I and other designers could sell our creations. I wanted to provide a platform for other artisan makers in Scotland within stunning and aspirational venues that could add to the experience and allow designers to interact with their target audiences, people who would really appreciate the process and value of exceptional design.
“When you graduate, you need opportunities to propel yourself. By partnering with Fife Contemporary, we can now give them this wider experience, providing a platform to showcase their products and connect with the buying public. We’ve provided a free graduate place since our very first market, but it’s wonderful to now be extending that to this wider national group and into other Tea Green venues, giving back to some of the country’s leading art school graduates whose premium products will further enhance the Tea Green visitor experience.”
Stefanie Cheong, Artist Development Officer at Fife Contemporary, added:
“Collaborating with Tea Green Events is an excellent way for our makers to access prestigious and relevant venues and audiences. We are really excited to facilitate and support the makers to showcase and launch their current work which they have been developing over the last year. Tea Green has been consistently championing designers and makers for years so we are delighted with this new partnership which complements our new makers’ support programme, taking it to the next level.”
Erin Thompson, Retail Manager at V&A Dundee, commented:
“V&A Dundee is committed to creating a platform for design and designers in Scotland, including the exceptional talent graduating from Scotland’s art and design colleges. Working in partnership with Tea Green since 2019 has brought about fantastic opportunities for emerging designers and makers at our regular design markets, and so it’s wonderful news that Fife Contemporary are joining forces to introduce another seven exciting new graduate designers to the markets this year.”
For more information, visit www.teagreenevents.co.uk / www.fcac.co.uk
