Central Devon MP Sir Mel Stride officially opened MAKE Southwest’s latest exhibition, Celebrating the History of Devon Guild of Craftsmen, recognising 70 years of creativity, community, and craftsmanship in the Southwest.
The exhibition charts the story of one of the UK’s most respected craft organisations—from its founding in 1955 by a small group of creatives led by Edward Baly, to its present-day role as a national centre for contemporary craft and design. Drawing on a rich archive of objects, photographs and historical material, the exhibition highlights not just the journey of the Guild itself, but the evolution of the wider craft movement in Britain.
Speaking at the opening, Sir Mel Stride said: "MAKE Southwest represents the very best of our region—creativity, entrepreneurship, and community spirit. For 70 years, it has championed craftsmanship, provided a platform to, and helped preserve, different local skills and served as an important space for education for our young people.
It is a great privilege to help celebrate such an important milestone at an organisation I always enjoy returning to, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to visit."
MAKE Southwest Chair Andrew North said:
“It was great to welcome Mel to MAKE Southwest again, as we celebrate our 70th birthday, and to know that he appreciates the craft education we undertake and the visitors we bring to Bovey Tracey.”
Founded as the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, the organisation grew from small-scale local exhibitions to securing a permanent home in 1986 at Riverside Mill in Bovey Tracey. In 2021, it became MAKE Southwest, reflecting its broader mission as a centre for craft education and advocacy across the region.
The new exhibition is open to the public throughout the summer, alongside the Maker Member Showcase, featuring new work from 70 makers. Together, these offer visitors the chance to explore the charity’s rich history, meet its maker members, and discover how traditional skills and contemporary innovation continue to shape British craft.
