| Earlier this year Design-Nation was delighted to be invited to sponsor the New Talent Award at the annual Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design exhibition in Cheltenham. This exceptional furniture exhibition is now in its 25th year and also includes selected works from leading artisans in disciplines such as sculpture, jewellery and glass. For the first time the exhibition in August featured work by graduates of a selection of furniture colleges and schools, as a preview of the finest emerging talent within the industry.
Eighteen graduate furniture designer makers were considered for the Award. With the exceptionally high standard of craftsmanship and innovative design presented by the graduates it made judging very difficult! However, the work of Tom Galt of Galt Designs stood out and he was presented with the award for his beautiful writing desk, which judges described as ‘immaculately crafted with exquisite hidden details, elegant and contemporary with great poise’.
Tom was surprised and delighted by the news: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been selected by Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design and Design-Nation to receive their New Talent Award. As a newcomer to the furniture making industry, it’s wonderful to receive recognition for one of the pieces I’ve produced and I’m very excited to be working with Design-Nation as I develop from this point.”
Highly Commended awards were given to Aidan Donovan for his reimagined telephone table and to Tom Acland for his decorative drinks cabinet. Definitely furniture designers to watch out for! Aidan and Tom (A) become Graduate members of Design-Nation.
The exhibition was a joy to be involved with and Design-Nation would like to thank director Jason Heap and his team for the invitation. We hope to continue this partnership in years to come. |
