image: Jennifer Collier, Manchester Craft Markets Nov 07

It’s that time of year again, the Christmas markets are coming, hurrah!

This year we’ve been offered a home for our stalls in the beautiful South Gallery of the The Whitworth Art Gallery - the gorgeous windowed walled room overlooking the park, know the one? Then you’ll be as excited as us about what’s in store.

Details…
Sat 13th Dec: 10am-4pm
Sun 14th Dec: 12noon-4pm

**For a stall at these markets** check out the full details below and email us your application by 10pm, Sat 18th October

The Whitworth Art Gallery was chosen because of it’s history of support for and interest in crafts. The markets will become part of the public programme of events associated with the temporary exhibition Cloth & Culture Now.

The Whitworth Art Gallery is a popular visitor spot for families, students, the cultured crowds and a loyal bevvy of Friends of the Whitworth and the park; as well as being on the main thoroughfare from studentland into the city centre. Being situated in the South Gallery, of which one wall is entirely windowed, will also give the events extra exposure since everyone passing will see there’s something exciting going on and raise their curiosity. And as last year we’ll be doing a big batch of advance marketing too in partnership with The Whitworth team to extend our reach even further. Added to that the markets co-incide with the final weekend of the exhibition so we hope for extra visitors making the most of their last chance to see the show.

Stalls
Stalls are limited and all makers must follow the application below
- Fees are £25 for Saturday (£15/person for a shared stall); £20 for Sunday (£13/person for a shared stall)
- Round tables with covers, and chairs, can be provided. You may bring your own if you prefer
- Set up will be 9-10 on Saturday; 11-12 on Sunday
*Deadline 10pm Sat 18th October*

Criteria
- To celebrate the collections of The Whitworth Art Gallery the markets this year will focus on contemporary textiles and paper based work. We will adopt a wide interpretation of this theme.
- Work must be handmade, not reproduction or vintage
- We support crafts, as ever, so sorry but applications from fine artists, photographers or homecrafts such as baking will not be eligible
- Print based work (i.e. work which has its origins in traditional print making and illustration) is eligible
- Work which sells at the lower retail end of the market is more likely to sell given Christmas shoppers and passing trade. However some makers see markets as an opportunity make long term contacts such as collectors, curators and retail managers, more of a PR exercise than a selling opportunity. If you wish to bring more expensive collector / curator / special commission type work please be realistic about your expectations for selling on the day.
- You must sell your own work. Sellers wanting to set up stall retailing more generally would be better suited to other markets. We like people to be able to find out first hand about the work they’re buying, talking to makers is part of what we’re about.

How to apply:
Please email the following to ask@manchestercraftmafia.com by 10pm, Saturday 18th October
- name, address, email address and telephone number including mobile if possible
- biog of max 150 words about your work, influences etc
- link to your website, online shop, blog etc - somewhere that shows off the type of work you will sell on the day OR 3 images, max 500kb each. No more than 3 images thanks.
- Paragraph about why you’d like to take part, what’s unique about your work, and what you hope to achieve from the day
- Which date(s) you’d like to book
- Whether you need a full or shared stall
- Whether you wish to bring your own table

Places will be confirmed by Weds 22 October