New Brewery Arts has revealed the winner of its Young Maker Residency, a programme that sees the recipient receive mentoring from the New Brewery Arts team, as well as exclusive access to their own studio at the arts centre in Cirencester.
Beth Somerville is an embroidery designer and practitioner, recently graduated from the CHANEL and King’s Foundation Métiers D’Art Fellowship, a scheme that provides students with intensive training opportunities in the field of embroidery for haute couture and the luxury fashion industry — and she professionally trained at Lesage.
The year-long residency programme is supported by The Arts Society and Arts Council England, giving Beth access to her own studio at New Brewery Arts, as well as mentoring from the team at the centre.
CEO of New Brewery Arts, Beth Alden, said: 'We were immediately impressed with Beth’s obvious skill in her chosen medium of embroidery, but it was her professionalism and dedication to her craft that made her stand out from the other applicants.
'We recognise how difficult it can be for young makers to get started in the industry, especially when studio and material costs are on the rise. We hope this residency will set Beth up with strong foundations for her future career as a professional maker.'
With sustainability at the forefront of her creations, Beth promotes environmentally conscious consumption by using embroidery to reimagine existing garments, giving them new life and value while mixing machine and hand techniques.
She commented: 'Being selected for the New Brewery Arts Young Craft Maker residency feels like a pivotal moment in my career.
'Having recently graduated and with the ambition to set up as a designer-maker outside of London, the financial obstacles of achieving this felt tricky to navigate. The idea of renting a studio without any financial support or means to take on commissions felt like a catch 22 until I heard about the residency.
'This opportunity will support me in the first year of setting up my own studio, finding clients, working on commissions and hopefully running some workshops in the fullness of time.'
