The Great Northern Contemporary Craft & Art Fair is Back in Newcastle this Month
This celebrated Newcastle arts fair is back for a second year after its successful debut in 2025
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft & Art Fair Newcastle (GNCCF) will once again take place at Northumbria University’s Sport Central in the heart of the city, following its successful Newcastle debut in 2025.
This year’s weekend-long celebration of high end fine art and crafts will begin with an exclusive preview on Thursday 18th June from 6pm to 9pm, where attendees can meet more than 100 makers and fine artists in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, and get early shopping access to the many highly skilled, beautifully designed and creatively ambitious pieces on offer, with a bar available to enjoy a drink as they browse.
The fair will continue on Friday 19th June and Saturday 20th June from 10am to 5pm, before finishing on Sunday 21st June from 10am to 4pm. Visitors will be able to speak directly with makers to learn more about the art and crafts on display, browse and buy one-of-a-kind items, and relax in the onsite pop-up café.
The event’s exhibitors, handpicked by a panel of experts, include a wide range of makers and fine artists from across the North East and wider UK. Across the weekend, artists and makers will showcase their own unique works, as well as giving a glimpse into their creative practice and technical skills with live demonstrations.
Northumberland-based PLYable Design are one of the makers returning to the event for a second year, showcasing the unique furniture, lighting and playful pieces crafted at their studio in Blyth.
Tom Ownsworth, owner of PLYable Design, explains: ‘As independent designers and makers based in the North East, it’s so important we have an exhibition of this calibre on our doorstep, so we can proudly exhibit our creations alongside exciting new artists from further afield.
‘The collective creative talent on show will be very inspiring, for everyone, for those of us taking part, and for all the visitors we hope to meet. Our audience plays a vital role in maintaining and expanding the breadth and depth of our local studio scene; times are challenging, so their support is very much appreciated.’
GNCCF newcomer and local textile artist Louise Brooke will also be showcasing her range of bespoke velvet banners. Louise says: ‘I’m delighted to be part of the GNCCF in Newcastle, to highlight the diverse range of artists and makers based in the North East.
‘As a new maker, it can be challenging to be “seen” amongst all the noise online – the fair enables me to showcase my work and it's wonderful to be able to have real-world conversations with those visiting, who are interested in artist-made products.’
As well as North East-based artists and makers, the event will welcome talent from across the UK. Sheffield-based jeweller Jennie Gill will be showcasing her unique jewellery at the event, made using gold, silver, precious stones, Whitby jet, rough, antique and brilliant diamonds.
Jennie comments: ‘I’m really excited to be showcasing my jewellery in Newcastle at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft & Art Fair. The North East has such a strong culture of supporting independent makers, which makes it feel especially meaningful to be part of it.’
GNCCF Newcastle is being brought back to the North East by the team behind the award-winning Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester, which is now in its 19th year and offers visitors exclusive opportunities to buy direct from the UK's leading designer-makers and craft artists through curated events.
Since the first Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair was officially opened by internationally acclaimed designer Thomas Heatherwick in 2008, GNCCF events have showcased more than 4,500 artists, attracted more than 90,000 visitors and sold more than £4 million of craft.
As a not-for-profit organisation, GNCCF invests the money it makes back into developing its fairs, as well as funding bursary schemes, business development programmes and community outreach – part of its commitment to supporting independent artists and makers facing increasing financial challenges.
Commenting on the event’s return to the region, Ann-Marie Franey, Director of GNCCF Newcastle, says: ‘Following a successful debut last summer where we had really positive feedback from our visitors and endorsement of funding from Arts Council England, we're thrilled to be returning to Newcastle this June.
‘Our ambition is to establish the Fair as an annual destination that celebrates the very best in contemporary craft and art. There is a huge amount of talent in this region, and having a fair of this calibre here gives makers and artists the opportunity to show their work to a wider audience without having to travel to fairs in the South.’
To learn more about GNCCF Newcastle and buy tickets, go to greatnorthernevents.co.uk. Living North readers can access an exclusive 2-for-1 discount here.
