‘Pebble People’ power at Guildhall Craft Fair

This weekend Londonderry’s Guildhall will be packed to bursting with creative talent, and craft lovers keen to pick up some unique local pieces as Derry City Council’s annual Guildhall Craft Fair throws open its doors for the 20th time.
Keith McGrellis' 'Pebble People.'Keith McGrellis' 'Pebble People.'
Keith McGrellis' 'Pebble People.'

Thousands flock to the event year on year, and it’s an annual pilgrimage for crafters from far and wide, including Derry artist Kevin McGrellis who has been exhibiting at the Craft Fair since its inception 20 years ago - and his commitment to the event is literally set in stone.

The Stone Art Gallery owner has carved out a niche with his distinctive ‘Pebble People’ collection. His product range includes sandblasted slate and reconstituted stone clocks and wall plaques, resin jewellery, pebble pictures and wire sculpture pictures, which will be on show this weekend.

Kevin explained: “I design and produce all products myself. The latest ranges – pebble and wire sculpture pictures – are quite organic in production in that they largely use found natural objects, pebbles and driftwood, and as such the final product is determined by its unique individual elements.”

A previous ‘Best Stand’ winner, Kevin has fond memories of the very first ‘brilliant’ Guildhall Craft Fair being on a par with the Ulster Hall Craft Fair in Belfast.

Kevin, who will be one of 40 exhibitors taking part in Londonderry’s signature craft showcase, said: “The really good thing is the number of people returning to the Guildhall Craft Fair each year; it really is a ‘must see’ for people. There are a lot of people coming to the stands who were there last year and the year before.”

According to Kevin, the quality of the design-led artisan crafts is what gives the Londonderry event such a strong reputation in the craft event calendar in Northern Ireland and beyond.

“Over the years the criteria has been tightened; the selection process has improved the standard of craft products on show, it is not just twee craft stuff.”

A graphic designer by profession, Kevin graduated from the University of Ulster and University of Wales and operated The Really Useful Design Company, producing sandblasted slate items for suppliers all over Ireland including the National Museum of Ireland and the Kilkenny Group. The Company’s products were also exported to the UK and France.

In recent years, Kevin’s work has become more art-based. He also branched out into jewellery making after completing a course at the North West Regional College, but his quirky wire pictures and Pebble People scenes tailored to suit individual commissions, are among his most distinctive and characterful pieces.

Kevin is one of the directors of the Walled City Crafters and is also involved with the Strabane and Omagh Collectives which recently opened shops in both Co. Tyrone towns.

The Derry crafter looks forward to the Guildhall Craft Fair each year as it provides “really good sales” and a chance to meet up with crafters and makers from other parts of the country who only get to see one another at the event.

Kevin said: “The Guildhall Craft Fair is sort of a yearly catch-up session. It is a really nice event, not just a selling thing, it is more than that. There is an enthusiasm there with all the exhibitors. Last year I had to stay up one of the nights to finish extra pieces such was the demand.”

The Stone Art Gallery is one of ten craft companies from the Derry City Council area taking part in the Guildhall Craft Fair and is also participating in Derry City Council’s Craft Development Programme export programme, with a view to concentrating on the business full-time.

Kevin, who still works two days a week as a graphic designer, has high hopes from the export programme which is conducting a series of specialist workshops and one-to-one mentoring for the participating crafters and makers.

“I am hoping to exhibit in London – at the ‘Top Drawer’ trade show as part of the export programme. Not so much to get into the English shops, but to get into London outlets that sell high quality artisan, bespoke products,” said Kevin.

The Guildhall Craft Fair takes place on Friday, November 14 (2pm-8pm), Saturday, November 15 (10am-6pm); and Sunday, November 16 (11am-5pm). For more information on the Guildhall Craft Fair including the full list of exhibitors, and Derry City Council’s extensive Christmas events programme, see www.festivetime.com