Derbyshire Makes celebrates the people behind the making!

A series of relaxed Meet the Maker sessions are taking place at Cromford Mills across April and May. The inspirational talks bring together fascinating artists who work in ceramics, sculpture, furniture making, print, photography and floristry. Organised by Haarlem Artspace, the informal talks offer a chance to hear about their work, ideas, and creative journeys, directly from the artists themselves.

So far, people have learned about the fascinating art of tree shaping led by Gavin Munro of “Full Grown”, a UK-based company that practices a unique form of sustainable design by growing trees directly into the shape of functional furniture. This process, described by the founders as “Zen 3D printing”, merges ancient horticultural techniques with modern design to create solid, joint-less pieces of furniture.

The next five sessions will hear from artists who will share what inspires them, how they work, and what it means to be a maker today. Expect friendly conversations, thoughtful insights, and plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

Apr 23, 2026 – Meet the Maker: Derek Harbinson – Ceramics

Derek makes ceramics in his studio in a converted chapel in the beautiful Peak District, in the heart of England. Originally trained as a journalist, he spent many years as a magazine editor, although his first experience with clay came while studying art at college many years ago, where his love of pottery began. He was also a contestant on Series 6 of The Great Pottery Throwdown, an experience he describes as one of the highlights of his life.

Apr 30, 2026 – Meet the Maker: Peter Knight – Printmaker

Peter develops ideas across both technical areas, creating his intaglio plates and prints in what can only be described as a ‘domestic’ space – an arrangement that is both interesting and at times challenging, and one that offers a slightly different perspective on printmaking practice.

May 06, 2026 – Meet the Maker: Emma Croman – Storytelling portrait and brand photography

A lover of nature and conscious, considered living, Emma is particularly keen to collaborate with people and organisations working to make the planet a better place. Her connection to photography began at around eight years old when her aunt first gave her a camera. It quickly became her way of seeing the world – a source of escapism and a means of understanding it.

May 13, 2026 – Meet the Maker: Sarah Ogden – Horseshoe Flowers

Sarah Ogden is a dried flower artist and florist based in the Derbyshire Dales, and the founder of Horseshoe Flowers — a studio known for its vibrant, contemporary approach to dried and preserved floristry. Her work centres on sustainability, creating long-lasting arrangements designed to be kept, reused and enjoyed over time rather than discarded.

May 20, 2026 – Meet the Maker: Johnny White & Amanda Wray – Sculpture

Having enjoyed making unusual bicycles and playing with Meccano as a child Johnny White went into mechanical engineering as an apprentice when he left school. He later changed course and studied art, completing a ceramics degree at Cardiff. He started making kinetic sculptures in the 1980s and has been a freelance sculptor since 1988. His sculptures are usually humorous, often interactive and sometimes quite large.

Amanda Wray’s figurative style is meaningful, accessible and often tongue in cheek, and she skilfully models clay in a lifelike manner with an added playful twist. She has recently enjoyed working on sketchy animations and digital prints.

Curated by Haarlem Artspace, these sessions are free to attend and take place in the atmospheric Gothic Warehouse at Cromford Mills. Tea and coffee provided.