Society announces new Honorary Fellowship

The Society of Designer Craftsmen are delighted to announce Dawn Thorne as one of their newest Honorary Fellows.

Since joining the SDC in 2004 Dawn has given a great deal of her time and expertise to supporting the organisation and its members. She became a key member of the Exhibitions team and for many years played a prominent organising role at the Society’s annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries.

Aside from her exceptional work with the SDC, Dawn has consistently contributed to the crafts sector through her book 'Transparency in Textiles', as co-founder and director of WSTA (the Windsor School of Textile Art); and as a tutor at East Berkshire College. She is also a founding member of the textile group, Studio 21.

Dawn has been an assessor for many years and is an exceptional ambassador and recruiter for the Society.

"I became a Licentiate of the Society in 2004, after completing my Dip. HE. in Creative Textiles at East Berkshire College, Windsor. My tutors were the amazing, inspiring and supportive Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.

I remember the excitement of knowing I would be exhibiting as a new Licentiate at the Mall Galleries. I felt so honoured to have my work shown at such a prestigious event as part of such as important and historic society. Over the next few years my work was accepted to be shown at the SDC’s annual Designer Crafts at the Mall exhibition. I also enjoyed helping whenever I could, so when Heidi Lichterman and Carol Naylor stepped down from curating the show in 2011, myself (acting as vice chair) and the then Chairman, Christine Dove stepped into their shoes together with Armando Magnino. I absolutely loved every minute, meeting the makers, their work and the curation process.

I never imagined being made a Fellow, and now to receive the award of Honorary Fellowship, is incredible. The Society has been, and will be, a part of my life forever. I feel proud to be a member and honoured to accept this award. "