Changes are afoot at the Michael Aldrich Foundation. After some twelve years (and ten years since my father's death) I am stepping back. Control and management of the Foundation, including the cultural assets, are being handed to the University of Brighton. The last few years have been very challenging and trying to focus attention on
I have been very fortunate over the years to meet and work with the talented students from the University of Brighton’s excellent 3D Design & Craft and product design degrees. The first ever winner of the Designing for the Future competition in 2010 was Harry Trimble. Then a second year student, Harry was immediately impressive
Our Designing for the Future and Michael Aldrich Foundation artists and makers had an exceptional year in 2019: Brighton artist and ceramist Jack Durling, has had work stocked at galleries in Hove and London, completed an amazing collaborative art project with Blind Veterans UK, exhibited at Designer | Maker | Artist | Poet and at
As part of this Summer's community art event, Designer | Maker | Artist | Poet, the Michael Aldrich Foundation commissioned poet, Tommy Sissons to write a poem about plastic pollution to complement designer, Tom Meades' work with the Saturday Fashion Club. Tommy Sissons is an award-winning poet, lyricist, playwright and educator. Shortlisted for the 2018
Last month, arts education charity, the Michael Aldrich Foundation, ran its first community event at Grand Parade, University of Brighton with a focus on creative careers. Beginning with a specially curated exhibition of the Aldrich Collection of art and design, the event showcased the work of four emerging creatives - Artist Jack Durling, Maker Eleanor
Good News! Designing for the Future winner, Tom Meades' new product is now on Kickstarter! Originally conceived as his final year project at the University of Brighton, the GOMI bluetooth speaker is made from waste plastic collected from businesses in Brighton which would have otherwise ended up in landfill, incinerated or in the ocean. For
As part of my new role with the Michael Aldrich Foundation, last weekend was spent at the Saturday Fashion Club at the University of Brighton turning plastic waste into beautiful fashion accessories. The Saturday Fashion Club has been running for 12 years and is part of the National Saturday Club founded by designers John and Frances
Jack Durling windsocks Children from Balfour Primary School in Brighton had special inspiration from an art collection from the University of Brighton when they created their own works for this year’s Open Houses Festival. Specially selected items from the Aldrich Collection of Contemporary Art were installed at the school in a mission
