Outreach and Education

CAA aims to champion the applied arts in Britain and develop and encourage the public's enjoyment and understanding of the working with materials. We do so by increasing access to craft and our many talented Makers from across disciplines. We work with audiences who might not otherwise engage with craft, organising dedicated programmes which foster discussion and active participation with materials, technique and skill.

We are proud to have both Makers and enthusiasts volunteer in the gallery. Our valued volunteers facilitate an informal environment of mutual learning, support and inclusion.

We also host events with explicit educational aims, from ‘Meet the Maker’ events to workshops with local children that coincide with exhibitions in the gallery. Through our development and mentorship programmes we are able to support the early careers of emerging artists making innovative use of materials in order to build the next generation of applied artists in Britain.
As part of London Craft Week 2024, we hosted a series of free workshops by ceramicist Hanna Salomonsson and weaver Ali Holloway to allow the public a behind the scenes glimpse into how handcrafted objects are made.

Hanna guided a group of beginner ceramicists through the use of a variety of techniques and tools to make their own vessels inspired by flower petals. Pieces were then glazed and fired at her studio, with each participant able to take away their very own piece of ceramic art.

Ali led participants through her intricate sustainable weaving process, using as a starting point a range of naturally dyed yarns whose colours come from the natural hues of vegetable skins and plant dyes. From trying their hand at her tabletop loom to weaving their own swatch to take home, the group discovered the magic of weaving from natural materials.
In 2023, we were able to connect up-and-coming textile artist Lara Pain with established weaver Jennifer Shellard through a mentorship programme generously funded by The Radcliffe Trust. Selected as Young Weaver of the Year by Heritage Crafts in 2023, Lara's weaving is driven by an interest in visual storytelling and we were delighted to welcome her as a new member as part of her mentorship.
In May 2022 CAA Maker Agalis Manessi hosted a ceramics workshop in collaboration with AgeUK London, at the Healthy Living & Learning Centre, Southwark, as part of an Arts for Dementia initiative.

Participants spent time with clay creating small animal figures.

"I came to learn some things to teach my grandchildren. They always use plasticine, but it would be nice to use the proper thing. I know if I learn I can enhance other people's lives. It's like doing the child in me - I haven't done for years!" - Grace, 70 (a 'Platinum Baby', in her own words)

"I used to pottery in the early '90, when I was actually in a day hospital, but I haven't had the chance to do it in a long time. It's relaxing, you can just let yourself go. It's the social part, coming and chatting and the chance to be creative." - Val, 62

"I created a new species of animal - it's inbetween a rabbit and hog" - Stephen, 67
As the UK emerged from lockdown in 2021 we began building a relationship with our local state school, St Marylebone School. Year 10 and 11 students visited CAA Gallery for a talk presented by Maker Kuniko Maeda. Maeda held her first solo exhibition at CAA, showcasing her intricate paper sculptures at the gallery.

Students closely examined her work, made using traditional Japanese craft techniques such as Kakishibu, as Maeda explained the sustainability ethos underpinning her practice. Pupils reported being inspired by seeing the work in situ, especially at a time when school trips to museums and galleries had been curtailed due to the pandemic. We also facilitated a Sashiko workshop for St Marylebone Textile Arts students. The two hour Sashiko session introduced pupils to craft traditions from other cultures and allowed students one-to-one time with a gifted CAA Maker.