Kilkenny maker awarded at national ceremony

Kilkenny based artist Lydia Smith was recognised in the studio support category at the Design and Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) Future Makers Awards this week.

Lydia, originally from London, specialises in ceramics and moved to Kilkenny in 2020 after graduating from the DCCI pottery skills and design course.

Experienced silversmith Victoria Donovan, who received the Kilkenny Design Workshops scholarship in 1986 was a member of the judging panel for the awards held in the RDS.

Established in 2009, Future Makers is a platform to showcase the talent of the next generation of makers, designers and craftspeople looking to take the step from training into enterprise, providing them with much needed financial support.

Future Makers covers a wide range of disciplines and recognises vision, innovation and excellence among students and recent graduates. It is one of the largest prize-funded design and craft award programmes in Europe, with each winner receiving a mentoring package valued at €2,000 in addition to the award.

In total, Future Makers offers an award fund of €25,000 and mentoring package of €52,000 in expert guidance and support to the award recipients.

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This year’s competition saw an impressive range of entries from all around Ireland, each one demonstrating a unique approach to creating beautiful and functional works of art. From furniture and fashion design to ceramics and glassblowing, the shortlisted makers represent the most innovative and creative young designers and makers in Ireland, across both the student and emerging practitioner categories.

Peter Burke TD, Minister of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment commented: “The Future Makers Awards are a really important platform that shines a light on the extraordinary creativity and skills emerging from Ireland’s design and craft community.”

“Over the past 16 years, this initiative has given countless designers and makers the opportunity to grow, to be recognised and to push their practice forward with meaningful support.”

Mary Blanchfield, CEO of DCCI said: “We are pleased to announce the winners of Future Makers 2025, an initiative dedicated to recognising, supporting and building capability and capacity within the next generation of designers and makers across Ireland.”

“The calibre of submissions this year was exceptionally high, reflecting the breadth of talent, creativity and innovation within the sector.”

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