UAL Foundation student Duane Holmes is hosting his first craft fair this month October 27th at Middlesbrough’s Cafe Etch! After finishing his A-level programmes in Art History, Fine Art and Graphics he set an intention to make a step into selling his work in person, “interacting with customers” face to face rather then selling his work online.
The craft fair idea was born through Duane’s love of music and visiting Cafe Etch socially, “outside of my studies, I am very interested in local music culture and venues because of the incredible creative people I’ve met through going to gigs.”
Speaking of the venue he said “Cafe Etch is a small, family-run business in the centre of Middlesbrough Town that is incredible for the breadth of creative events and practices it supports. By day, it is a cozy, welcoming Cafe that I often visit to relax, draw and de-stress. Then by night, it can transform into a grassroots music venue that supports local musicians and young people alike. It has also hosted exhibitions for local artists, comedy events, photography meet-ups and painting nights. It is a place I’m truly passionate about because I feel as though it pumps life into the arts and local culture of Teesside. I had been told previously that if I ever wanted to do a stall or exhibition, to ask them and I finally did ask about setting up a stall in October for Halloween.”
The craft fair will include the work of a number of students including Foundation students Rue Cotter and Hannah Rose Fraser, Theo Sunter from UAL Fine Art, BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design student Katie-Anne Shaw and A-levels alumni Aj Richardson. Duane said “I invited my friends and people in my class to join me so that it could become a mini event, and I’ve ended up being a manager of sorts. Personally, I will be selling handmade linocut prints as well as tote bags created by my sister – Katie-Anne Shaw – that I will print on. For many of us, it will be our first time hosting a stall and being part of an event like this, and it is all thanks to the incredible people of Cafe Etch, in particular, Bethan Allan who is the magnificent manager of the venue.”
In his practice Duane uses linocut which he “first got into because of my interest in traditional graphics and poster design. It has become a medium I really love and its all due to Andrew Edwards (who taught me on A-level Graphics) and Amanda Smith (who has lent me some professional linocut tools that I continue to use.)”
Since I am acting as the organiser of the event, I’m in charge of the stall runners, organising the event and keeping in contact with the venue. I also created a promotional poster for the event. I plan to do more stalls and be a part of more events like this in the future so for anyone interested I’d perhaps post future events I’m doing on my art Instagram. This stall represents to me the start of my professional practice and doing art as job.
See more of Duane’s work and details about the event on Duane’s instagram: @duanedoesdrawing or follow @cafe.etch to find out more about their events! Visit the craft fair by heading to Cafe Etch (5, Gilkes Street, Middlesbrough TS1 5ET) on Sunday 27th October between 12PM to 5PM.
If you are interested in studying a creative course at college level make sure you check out our range of A-levels and diplomas here. If you have finished college and a little undecided on your next steps make sure you check out our Foundation Diploma which is designed for post A-Level and equivalent students to provide a unique transitionary year between college and university. The course is an intensive experience which enables you to develop your own individual creative identity, discover which art and design discipline best suits you and equips you with the skills and confidence to apply and thrive at university. Find out more here.