Attractively situated in what was formerly the stable block of the country house, Rufford Craft Centre includes a Gallery which stages major craft exhibitions, a recently opened Ceramics Centre, a Craft Shop with an extensive collection of quality British crafts, and a Book & Gift Shop.
The Gallery at Rufford has gained a national and international reputation for its craft exhibitions and innovative interpretation of British craftwork, particularly in the field of contemporary studio ceramics.
Every year, the Craft Potters Association holds its 'Earth and Fire' summer fair in the Abbey grounds. Potters from the UK and abroad sell their work directly to the public within the beautiful surroundings of the country park.
Developed with the aid of the National Lottery, the Rufford Ceramics Centre is the first in Britain devoted solely to the display and study of studio ceramics.
The Centre includes an exhibition which traces the history of studio pottery and includes examples of work by pioneering studio potters such as Bernard Leach, William Staite Murray and Michael Cardew.
Touch screen computers in the exhibition area give visitors an introduction to ceramics and information on the work on show while, in the adjoining study area, students and researchers can look into the history of studio pottery, access archival material and visit selected sites on the world wide web.
The Orangery has now been sympathetically restored to preserve the history and major features of the building, and reopened in 1995 as a new venue for exhibitions - the Apsidal Gallery - featuring a changing display of outdoor sculptures and large scale ceramics.
On the ground floor of the Craft Centre, the Craft Shop boasts a fine selection of hand worked quality British crafts, including pottery, glass, woodwork, metalwork, jewellery and textiles.
The Book & Gift Shop on the opposite side of the courtyard stocks a wide range of souvenirs.
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