The Craft Edit January 2026

Bernat Klein Studio 1972 / Photography by Arup Partners 

Restoration of Landmark Bernat Klein Studio Underway 

The historic landmark Bernat Klein Studio in Galashiels, designed by architect Peter Womersley in 1972, was secured by the Bernat Klein Foundation, the National Trust for Scotland and Scotland Historic Buildings Trust in July 2025. Now, the restoration of this masterpiece of modernist architecture is underway. The three organisations are working in partnership to secure, restore, reimagine and safeguard this piece of Scotland’s design, craft and architectural history for future generations.  

Celebrating Bernat Klein’s work as a textile designer, artist and colourist, it will be restored to its original purpose as a design studio. The refurbished building will also provide a permanent base for the Bernat Klein Foundation, whose projects include exhibitions, workshops and talks.  

The Art Works (artists impression)

National Galleries Secure Funding from the Scottish Government for New Arts Venue in North Edinburgh 

The Scottish Government has committed £56 million in funding over the next three years towards The Art Works. This state-of-the-art and free-to-visit building will house and showcase more than 130,000 works of art from the national art collection when they are not on display in the National, Portrait or Modern galleries. This includes Scottish craft treasures such as tapestries, sculptures and ceramics. 

The venue will enable more people to engage with Scotland’s national collection in Edinburgh, while delivering significant benefits to the nation by providing more loans of art and artifacts across Scotland.  

The building will be part of the Granton Waterfront development and a cultural focal point in North Edinburgh, with social spaces, community spaces and free amenities. 

The Art Works will have cutting-edge facilities, which will help members of the public, students and researchers to engage with the collections. It will also include conservation studios, expanding possibilities to care for Scotland’s national art collection over the next decades and beyond.  

Frances Priest / Photography by Robin Zahler

Blackwell House Presents Exhibition Charting Frances Priest's 25-year career 

Edinburgh-based ceramic artist Frances Priest opened a major exhibition at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts House in the Lake District on 7 November 2025. 

Motif | Line | Colour showcases ceramics created throughout Frances’ 25 years of practice, featuring rarely seen pieces from her personal collection and brand-new work inspired by the house and Arts & Crafts architect Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott. 

On display are vibrant ceramic vessels which explore and reinterpret languages of ornament drawn from a wide range of cultures, locations, and historical periods. Fascinated by motifs and patterns, Frances employs line and colour to evoke a sense of place, uncover personal and cultural histories, and to celebrate the joyful essence of being human.  

Karen Westland, Lunar Unicorn Beaker / Photography by Alex Robson

Makers Selected for Contemporary Craft Exhibition at National Museums Scotland and Ulster Museum 

Ten Scotland-based makers have been selected for a contemporary craft exhibition at National Museums Scotland and Ulster Museum in 2027/28.  

Jan Bowman, Iseabal Hendry, Choi Keeryong, Thomas Keyes, Toben Lewis, Finn McCallum, Naomi Mcintosh, Frances Priest, Angus Ross and Karen Westland will join six makers based in Northern Ireland to create new works inspired by the museums’ collections. 

The makers will explore the legacy of making that connects Scotland and Northern Ireland and investigate current research on decorative and making heritage from the Mesolithic to the medieval period. 

Owen Edward Snaith, Incentive tartan ensemble, 'Eye in The Cave' Collection / Photography by Patrick Dempsey and Man Of The Sea, 'Incentive' Collection / Photography by Luke Million 

Owen Edward Snaith Awarded Interweaving Threads Residency at Cove Park and MUHO, Norway 

Owen Edward Snaith is a designer working across fashion, textile design, and mixed media art. Owen's work explores traditional Scottish dress, the uniforms of east coast fisherfolk and his own identity. A poetic queer thread weaves throughout his work, which is grounded in craftsmanship, collaboration, and community.  

Cove Park have announced that Owen will undertake the Interweaving Threads Residency alongside Norwegian textile artist Ingrid Bjørnevog Haugnes in April and May 2026. The residency is part of a year-long project Interweaving: Scotland and Norway through Dress launched in October 2025 with a special two-day event in Edinburgh addressing the similarities and differences between traditional Norwegian and Scottish dress and textiles. 

Joanna Kessel, The Well Mosaic / Photography by Alaisdair Smith and Angus Farquhar

Artist Joanna Kessel unveils The Well Mosaic for Glasgow Cathedral

Aproxima Arts collective working with acclaimed Scotland-based mosaic artist Joanna Kessel have transformed an ancient well in the Crypt of Glasgow Cathedral with a shimmering circular mosaic installation.  

The mosaic, created by Joanna in collaboration with Aproxima Arts’ Creative Director Angus Farquhar, Lead Designer James Johnson and structural engineers David Narro Associates, comprises nearly a thousand glass plates, each hand-blown and inlaid with 24-carat gold leaf by Orsoni Venezia. Engineers, makers and installers worked together to fit the mosaic perfectly into its underground home, bringing Glasgow’s ancient wellspring back to life.  

The Well is the latest project undertaken as part of Glasgow Requiem, a 5-year creative programme responding to Glasgow’s mediaeval roots, pre-industrial history and founding mythologies. 

Making It / Image courtesy of Fruitmarket

Books, Music and Podcasts to Inspire You Through the Dark Winter Days 

Fruitmarket are launching a new book Making It in February. The book will share experiences from a decade of their work supporting designers and makers to develop and sell meaningful retail products inspired by the Gallery’s programme.  

A must-read for makers interested in creating bespoke collections for galleries and museums, and those interested in stocking them. Attend the book launch free on Thursday 12 Feb 2026 at Fruitmarket, Edinburgh. 

James Fox, art historian, broadcaster and Creative Director of the Hugo Burge Foundation in the Scottish Borders, has released a landmark publication Craftland: A Journey Through Britains Lost Arts and Vanishing Trades.  

Chronicling the disappearing skills and traditions that once defined the lives of many, this engaging and uplifting book highlights the value of hand making in the contemporary world. 

DES Talks Podcast by Design Exhibition Scotland offers a catalogue of fascinating, craft-focused episodes to listen to.  

Hosted by Susanna Beaumont, you can enjoy interviews with makers such as potter Cara Guthrie, jewellery designer Stefanie Ying Lin Cheong, and Scott Smith and Katie Watson of the Marchmont Silversmithing Workshop.  

There are also episodes about the life of textile designer Bernat Klein, V&A Dundee’s exhibition Thread Memory: Embroidery from Palestine, and Craft Scotland’s HARVEST: Contemporary Craft Fair curated by Stacey Hunter.  

Andrea in Perth spoke on BBC Six Music about her Very Specific Playlist inspired by Fabrics, Textiles and Sewing. You can listen to Andrea's short segment on BBC Sounds (Nick Grimshaw, 28 Jan 2026, timestamp 1 hour 40 mins) or start your own textiles inspired playlist! Andrea's suggestions include David Byrne 'T-Shirt', Dolly Parton 'Coat of Many Colours', Stevie Nicks 'Leather and Lace', and The Moody Blues 'Nights in White Satin'.

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Contact the Craft Scotland team with more information, links, images and/or a press release via email hello@craftscotland.org