'Made in Sligo' makes it at Showcase 2011
picture: Liam Kiely Sligo County Enterprise Board, Michelle Henry from Gilbert Henry Goldsmith, Teresa Neale from Meadow Miniatures, Minister Hanafin, John Ryan from O'Riain Pottery, Ana Vahey from Ana Faye and Tony Conway fom Rachel Quinn Ceramics
Sligo crafts business made a strong impact at Showcase 2011 in the RDS which finished on Wednesday last. Tom Callery Ceramics won the top award in the Craft & Giftware category at the event. Lynda Gault Ceramics was highly commended for her ceramics work as was Anna Vahey of Ana Faye who produces designer handbags. The trio were part of the Made in Sligo display at the Sligo County Enterprise Board stand at the event.
Showcase, which is organised by the Crafts Council of Ireland, is seen by industry experts as one of the most important trade events for Ireland’s craft sector. The event ran from Sunday, January 23rd to Wednesday, January 26th.
Said John Ryan of O’Riain Pottery and Chairman of Made in Sligo ‘We established the group in early January last year because Sligo crafts businesses were getting awards each year at Showcase and we realised there was something special happening with Sligo based crafts business. With a lot effort from the local crafts businesses and support from the agencies ‘Made in Sligo’ was born. Sligo County Enterprise Board gave us the platform to launch the brand nationally at Showcase and we are delighted with the result.’
The Made in Sligo group was part of the artists, craftspeople and designers from eighteen County and City Enterprise Boards who met with international buyers at the balcony area at Showcase this year.
Many of the Enterprise Board-supported craftspeople were first-time exhibitors and are expected to attract considerable attention from the 5,500 buyers who were in attendance.
In all, over 350 craftspeople took part in Showcase, including fifty craftspeople supported by the Enterprise Boards on the balcony area. Buyers from seventeen countries are attended the event which is promoted internationally by Enterprise Ireland. Further details on Made in Sligo are available by visiting www.madeinsligo.ie. Details on Showcase are at www.showcaseireland.com.