Making Space is a community-based craft organisation that creates opportunities for people to discover and develop design and making skills, increasing personal wellbeing through involvement in high-quality craft. We promote excellence in contemporary craft, design and visual arts.
ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
WHAT WE DO
As the lead craft organisation in Hampshire, Making Space initiates opportunities for new networks and partnership working to raise the profile of craft. This includes working with local arts organisations and contributing to regional and national developments around craft and community engagement.
MAKING SPACE IS A REGISTERED CHARITY AND LIMITED COMPANY. THERE ARE NO SHAREHOLDERS AND NON-PROFIT; ALL MONEY MADE GOES BACK INTO THE BUSINESS.
HOW WE DO IT
From its purpose-built studios in Leigh Park, Making Space organises courses, masterclasses and projects through which children, young people and adults can learn from skilled and experienced makers.
THE SPACE
The building belongs to and is maintained by Hampshire County Council and Making Space has a contract to use it for purposes of craft, visual arts, community workshops and teaching.
It houses seven individual studio spaces that are leased to professional makers producing high quality work, as well as two fully equipped workshops that are available for hire, either as creative spaces or for business meetings.
PEOPLE WE'VE WORKED WITH & LOCAL SUPPLIERS
WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY
Through our outreach projects, we work with partners including schools, children’s centres, family learning environments and retirement homes.
Our specially tailored projects are organised to inspire, challenge, skill-up, engage and build new audiences for the sector. We offer both first-time experiences of craft and work with those who want to take their skills to the next level. We enable people to develop new ways of thinking about craft and experience first-hand the important presence of craft in everyday life.
HEAR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT US
“We had a fantastic team outing to Making Space where we all made Keum-Bo necklaces. The workshop spaces and teaching were exceptional and we all loved our finished necklaces. I would recommend Making Space to any business for a great team building experience.”
Jane Glue, Marketing Executive, Wiley and Sons
“The teacher was fantastic, she had a very warm and relaxed approach. It was also lovely having some time to be creative in a friendly environment and getting some time off from being a mum!”
Participant of Adult Class
“Out of all the venues that employ me as a freelancer, Making Space have always been the most professional, supporting and welcoming. I enjoy every experience I get the opportunity to teach there and their resources, space and team all add to the quality and uniqueness of the venue.”
Making Space Tutor
“I have taken my children to a lot of workshops – this was by far the best. The teacher, the venue and the other staff were all FANTASTIC – we could have stayed for at least a week.”
Parent of child participant
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Making Space is at the centre of three circles of activity: community engagement, skills development and maker progression. These activities support each other. Through our community engagement programme, anyone can develop their skills. Individuals may use those skills for their own interest and enjoyment, they may share them with others (their children, for example), or they may be able to use them as stepping stones towards further study, training or employment.
The professionals who rent studios at Making Space develop their skills by sharing knowledge and ideas with other makers on site and with the Making Space network; through the opportunities presented by Making Space for making and selling work to commission, and for teaching/leading workshops.
We are an outward-looking organisation and believe in the importance of sharing (be it resources, information or ideas), collaborating (with organisations, groups and individuals) and influencing (attitudes to, practice in and policy about craft).
What do we mean by craft?
We like the definition used by the National Society for Education in Art and Design:
Craft can be defined as intelligent making. It is technically, materially and culturally informed. Craft is the designing and making of individual artefacts or objects, encouraging the development of intellectual, creative and practical skills, visual sensitivity and a working knowledge of tools, materials and systems.
For Making Space, craft is part of everyday life.
HISTORY OF MAKING SPACE
History
Formed in 2002, Making Space became a registered charity organisation in 2005, and is formally known as the Museum of Modern Craft (MOMC Leigh Park Initiative Trust).
The MOMC was created by Southern Arts to address the lack of crafts infrastructure for makers in the region. The aim was to provide a purpose-built studio facility, teaching spaces and a major gallery and retail space. Following a restructure in 2002/3, Hampshire County Council took the strategic lead and MOMC was divided into studio and teaching facilities in the South (Making Space), with ambitions to also develop a gallery in Basingstoke (The Making).
Fundraising
Hampshire County Council identified Leigh Park as a key location for the Making Space project, with a view to engage the local community in arts and cultural experiences. The Board of Making Space Trustees worked alongside officers from Hampshire County Council and Havant Borough Council to plan and fundraise for the new venue. As a result of this, capital and revenue funding was provided by Hampshire County Council, Havant Borough Council, Arts Council England, Henry Smith Charity and SEEDA (Single Regeneration Budget).
Building
Work on the building itself started in the summer of 2006, and the Making Space team moved to the site in the following March. HRH The Princess Royal formally opened the venue on the 8th May 2007.
The building is a unique single storey site that makes best use of light and space, with a central courtyard at its heart, from which all the studios connect. A glazed main corridor links the teaching spaces to the interior courtyard and offers a creative oasis for activities to take place in. It is a space that inspires and is loved by visitors, makers and the Making Space team alike. From this building, Making Space is able to connect with the community, taking our high quality programmes out and about into Havant and further afield.
Credits
Building designed by Alexander Design, Winchester
Studio gates designed by Jacqui Poncelet
OUR TEAM
Making Space is run, day-to-day, by a dedicated and creative team of staff:
Ami Hyde
Outreach Project Manager
Ami joined Making Space in August 2007; a few months after it opened. She began as a part time freelance intern and her role evolved to include managing the creative programme, the marketing for the charity and over seeing two 2-year HLF projects. She is now the Outreach Project Manager and oversees and co-ordinates all the Outreach Projects that take place at Making Space and out and about in the community. Ami is the longest employee of Making Space and is passionate about the work she does and the people she inspires through the various projects she organises.
Ami graduated from Portsmouth University in 2006 with a First Class Hons degree in Fashion & Textiles Enterprise. In addition to her part-time role at Making Space, Ami has a thriving bohemian wedding and events business; Lo & Behold Bespoke which she runs with her husband and regularly delivers freelance creative workshops and events under the name of Mia Mai.
Ami is a trained Arts Award Advisor, is PTTLS trained and also has a Youth Arts Management Training qualification.
Nathan Chapman
Administration & Operations Manager
Nathan studied Drama Theatre and Television at King Alfred’s University College, Winchester and then spent the next ten years lecturing in drama, before setting up his own touring theatre company, SOOP Theatre. SOOP took their original work across the country, and won awards for their improvised comedy show.
Nathan joined Making Space in October 2017 as Marketing Assistant and has since taken on the role of Administration and Operations Manager.
His long and varied career has taken in education, arts marketing and retail, and when not working he enjoys spending time with his family, especially introducing his daughters to the wonders of Lego and modelling clay!
Peter Levy
Technician/Cleaner
Peter joined Making Space as a our Technician in 2009, prior to this Peter graduated from the University of Portsmouth with an MA in Fine Art (specialising in ceramics).
In 2008 he was awarded a year’s paid studio bursary and remained as our longest standing studio tenant at Making Space till March 2018.
Peter uses his acquired practical skills in his current role, looking after the general maintenance of the building and all of the kiln firings.
His professional practice encompasses mixed media collage work, painting, ceramics and glass.
Liz Weston
Interim Director
Liz Weston has joined Making Space in the role of Interim Director. She will be at Making Space for at least six months to help the organisation build on current strategies and develop new ones to work towards a sustainable future.
Liz’s background is primarily in performing arts, specifically theatre, circus and open-air events but she’s also run venues and spent 10 years as the Education and Outreach Manager at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth.
Julia de Klerk
Marketing Assistant / Duty Manager
Julia studied BA (Hons) Design at Goldsmiths University of London. After graduating she enrolled on a number of short courses in Jewellery design at Central St Martins. She has previously worked for creative organisations in London and Portsmouth as well as freelance design work.
Julia now runs her own jewellery business based in Hampshire with clients including TATE , The Harley Gallery and The National Centre Of Craft & Design.
You can keep up to date on Julia’s current projects via her website, Facebook & Instagram.
OUR TRUSTEES
A Board of Trustees governs Making Space, helping to support the team with their knowledge and experience.
Lesley Butterworth
Lesley is the General Secretary for the National Society for Education of Art and Design (NSEAD), the lead professional body for teachers of art, craft and design across the UK. Her work includes leading on Skills in the Making, a strand designed to improve the level of craft and design knowledge amongst schoolteachers.
Lesley has worked in education and outreach roles at the Design Museum, Islington Artefacts Library and the National Gallery, and led Making It Work at Reading Museum.
Richard Walker
Richard trained in Restoration and Decorative Arts at University of Portsmouth and is an expert gilder. He is dedicated to product development, innovation and education and has developed new finishes not yet available on the market.
As a professional gilder he is sought by other designers and artists to create finishes for their products and, in some cases, mentor them through the process; explaining how they can embellish their designs with bespoke metal leaf surfaces.
Richard is a current studio holder at Making Space.
Loucia Manopoulou
Loucia is a passionate curator and experienced project manager who has extensive knowledge of art, culture and crafts, and has worked in a wide range of environments for nearly 15 years both in Greece and the UK.
A true team player who enjoys creative collaboration.
Currently a PhD candidate at the University for the Creative Arts, exploring contemporary British crafts, curatorship and performance art.
Victoria Edwards
Victoria is a volunteer at Making Space where she assists the admin & marketing team. She also has gained valuable experience assisting on our creative workshops with young adults. Victoria was recently awarded the Young Person of the Year at Havant Volunteer Awards for her hard work within the organisation.
Victoria is passionate about art and has a keen interest in allowing young people to learn and unlock their potential in the arts.
Vicki Brown
Victoria is a maker and educator. She trained at Goldsmiths College and the Royal College of Art and then had a successful millinery business including designing and making hats for Jean Muir Ltd.
From 1997-2017 Victoria was a Senior Lecturer in the Fine Art Department at the University of Chichester. She now has returned to millinery and felt making, working from her studio in Emsworth.
Kate Spresser
Kate is an IT professional with over 20 years of experience helping organisations to gain value from technology. She has also worked with young people to encourage them to consider careers in technology.
Kate is passionate about the importance of making and professional makers to society. She has always had an interest in making objects herself and these personal lifelong attempts at making have given her a deep appreciation of the skill involved in creating useful and beautiful objects.
Dr Alison Rowsell
Ali is a Research Fellow with 20 years research experience. She has worked as a researcher in health and psychology at the University of Southampton for the past 15 years; where she also completed her PhD in Psychology focused on Health Literacy. Before that she worked at Kent University.
Ali is an artist in her free time, completing her Art degree in Canterbury in 1994. She works with a range of mediums, including paint and clay. She also makes silver jewellery.
Ali has worked in both primary and Higher Education settings, as well as in a studio setting, where she worked with adults and children with learning disabilities or autism.
Amy Gaudion
Amy Gaudion is a contemporary figurative painter, continuing her artistic study and practice in MA Painting. Her current work focuses on Fairy Tales. Through her paintings, she is exploring Fairy Tales in a modern context and how women are portrayed within them. The fascination with storytelling shows no signs of abating.
Alice Kettle
Alice Kettle is a contemporary textile/fibre artist based in the UK and has established an internationally regarded unique area of practice. Her stitched works, many the size of huge figurative tapestries, exploit the textures and effects made possible through the harnessing of a mechanical process to intuitive, conceptual and creative ends.
Liam Davis
Liam Anthony Davis is a conscientious and innovative womenswear designer. With a high level of communication, unique design processes and his experience in the industry, Liam is able construct fashion garments through innovative and creative pattern cutting, original research and in-depth design development.
Emma Burfoot
Emma is a jewellery designer who hand makes her designs from her studio in Havant, Hampshire. She creates pieces which explore structural forms, negative space and thickness of line. She creates large statement pieces, which then inform more wearable designs which are made in precious metals.
Francis Campbell
Francis Campbell is a couturier and costume maker. He has made couture pieces for Darcey Bussell, Katie Derham and Tracey Curtis-Taylor and made for such feature films as Disney’s Cinderella, Exodus: Gods and Kings and Wonder Woman.
Ami Hyde (Mia Mai)
Mia Mai is a creative company based in Southsea, launched in 2007 by Ami Lowman. Specialising in beautiful and inspired illustrations, fashion & lingerie garments & unique jewellery. Inspiration comes from days gone by, traditional tattoos, pin up culture, vintage undergarments & forgotten trinkets.
Kathryn Green
Kathryn is currently exploring the traditional Japanese process of Shibori, which is a technique that uses methods of resistance within the dyeing process.
Paul Gonella (Strong Island)
Media company specialising in photography and film production with years of teaching & training experience.
Linda Miller
Linda Miller makes one-off, framed and unframed Machine Embroideries using an industrial sewing machine
Deryn Relph
Deryn designs & creates a collection of textiles for interior & lifestyle as well as working as a freelance designer.
Mary Dalton
Mary is a fine art printmaker whose work covers most areas of printmaking from relief to etching. Her current practice focusses on expression and energy and includes hybrid prints and lithography.
Tracey McEachran
Tracey McEachran is a multi-media artist working with large format photography, film, sound and installations.
Richard Walker
Web: watergild.com About Richard Walker So, let me introduce myself. My name is Richard and I live and work near the historic City of Portsmouth, situated on the south coast of England. I studied gilding at the University of Portsmouth and have now been gilding for over ten years.
Peter Levy
I believe that serendipity can reward the artist if one can accept the necessary yet unnerving lack of control. This notion underpins my philosophy of making and is reflected in practically all my art these days.
Alex Archbold
I have been working in glass for about ten years – initially traditional stained and leaded glass, but rapidly extending into a wide range of techniques, including fusing, slumping, kiln casting, sandblasting and printing on glass.
Stella Harding
With an interest in exploring materiality and craft processes Stella manipulates line into complex abstract structures and intriguing geometric forms using three dimensional construction techniques derived from basketry.
Rachel Reynolds
Rachel creates an innovative collection of hand, screen and digitally printed textiles and artworks for the domestic and commercial interior.
Nora Fok
Nora Fok is an artist maker of jewellery specializing in nylon monofilament. Her work has sculptural qualities as well as being suitable jewellery pieces for the female body. She uses traditional hand craft techniques of knitting, knotting, weaving and looping to construct her pieces.
Kate Bishop (Kroma)
Kate Bishop is the founder and director of creative brand Kroma which represents Kate’s identity as a freelance designer. The brand focuses on surface design and products for the home and office as well as women’s fashion.
Kas Williams
I have a profound love of colour and the lyrical energy and exuberance it provokes. Colour to me is a feeling at the heart of everything I create and my work is an expression of all that I see and experience in the world around me.
Eileen White
Eileen White is a craft based visual artist, living and working in Winchester, Hampshire. Her practice is rooted in textiles and printmaking in the broadest sense with an interdisciplinary approach to her work.
Catharine Russell
Catherine Russell is a Hampshire based ceramic artist who specialises in making sculptural objects from fabric dipped in slip.
Ami Lowman (Mia Mai)
Mia Mai is a creative company based in Southsea, launched in 2007 by Ami Lowman. Specialising in beautiful and inspired illustrations, fashion & lingerie garments & unique jewellery. Inspiration comes from days gone by, traditional tattoos, pin up culture, vintage undergarments & forgotten trinkets.
Agata Wojcieszkiewicz
My art is something more than exact depiction of the reality. It is my personal expression of thoughts and feelings, resulting from a perception of surrounding world, ruled and filtered by unknown processes from the subconscious parts of my mind. Following my instincts and intuition, I experiment with different techniques and media in order to be able to free myself from academic boundaries and distinguish my individual language.
Sarah Macrae
Sarah designs and makes unusual and individual Jewellery in her workshop in Hampshire for exhibitions and to commission.
Kate O’Connell
Kate is a three-dimensional designer, working with glass, metal and ceramics to produce both functional and sculptural designs.
Sharon Justice
Sharon’s work uses varied techniques from forging and woven wire to Keum bo with a lot of emphasis on surface texture and patterns. Sharon is a member of the Association of contemporary Jewellery and exhibits with them as part of their Wessex group.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO NEXT?
PEOPLE WE'VE WORKED WITH & LOCAL SUPPLIERS