On 25 January 2025, a brand-new exhibition called Made in the Middle will launch at Leicester Gallery, De Montfort University showcasing the work of 37 regional artists – six of whom are from Leicester – and highlighting the innovative contemporary crafts being made in the Midlands today.

The artists represent the region’s vibrant and diverse creative community and include both emerging talents and established names.

31 exceptional artists, ranging from 22 to 82 years old, were selected by a panel of curators and craft sector specialists. A further six artists have been invited by Guest Curator, Jazz Swali, with Curatorial Support from Marta Marsicka to emphasise the enriching cultural impact of global migration to the region. Their work highlights powerful stories about the world we live in. There will be a wide variety of techniques and disciplines on display including textiles, ceramics, mixed media, jewellery, metalwork and biomaterials.

Made in the Middle has inspiration for anyone interested in making, seeing or buying craft.

Attending artists from Leicester

Sarah-May Johnson

Sarah-May was drawn to weaving for its tactile qualities and mathematical processes. Taking inspiration from the natural world, she continuously experiments with weave techniques. pushing traditional boundaries to pioneer new methods.  Her series draws from nature’s intricate patterns and the appeal of repetitive, symmetrical designs. The works are particularly influenced by Ernst Haeckel’s natural history illustrations from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 

(Image credit right: Sarah-May Johnson by Matt Glover Photography)

Emma-Jane Rule

Emma-Jane’s metalwork combines traditional silversmithing and fold-forming techniques. She draws inspiration from nature’s rhythms and patterns.  Influenced by leaves, trees and wild landscapes, she transforms natural energy and beauty into unique, sculptural designs. The works combine modern fold-forming with traditional skills like hammer forming, silver soldering and patination. Leaves and stems, created in hammered copper are intertwined into garlands that contrast beautifully with simple, fabricated elements.

Jade Webb

Jade is a textile artist who deliberately allows the loom weaving process to develop in ways that are less controlled than traditional weave, introducing frayed edges, unpredictable lines and erratic patterns. Webb talks about this divergence from the standardised grids of traditional weaving as being similar to the neurodivergent experience. The work creates something new and beautiful by working around the constraints of the loom on which they were created.           

Jo Cope

Jo’s practice explores cultural relationships with shoes. Her handcrafted sculptural artworks are made using traditional footwear processes. They become vessels to communicate different ideas and stories.  Jo often uses the red stiletto, an outdated female shoe stereotype. She does this to make feminist statements by challenging its form.

Keisha Brittle

When working with glass, Keisha loves to explore a range of processes using both hot and cold techniques. Her work represents her Jamaican heritage and expresses her journey of reconnecting with her family. Her glass pieces are inspired by Jamaica’s natural beauty captured in photographs from her Grandad in the Caribbean.

Deirdre Figueiredo, Director Craftspace, commented: “In 2025, the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, the exhibition shows how artists are playing their role in evolving the cultural voice and identity of the Midlands. The curation of the exhibition gives artists an unusual opportunity to experiment, speculate and make work freely without commercial constraints and audiences will be amazed and inspired.”

(Image: Sarah-May Johnson – Pattern Formation and Arrangement – using weaving techniques)

The exhibition is the ninth in the Made in the Middle series and will tour galleries across the Midlands into 2026 raising the profile of regional artists and providing an opportunity to sell.

For the public and collectors, it’s a chance to commission a unique artwork or buy existing pieces to suit all budgets.

Artists’ work is also available to buy online through Craftspace’s shop at craftspace.co.uk

Made in the Middle is a regional touring exhibition curated by Craftspace in partnership with Leicester Gallery at De Montfort University, funded by Arts Council England.

#MadeITM craftspace.co.uk madeinthemiddle.org