Shop local this Christmas as sustainable design event, HAAN, returns to Aberdeen

This event, which is in its’ fifth year, takes place from 2-5th of December, and will celebrate unique small businesses and independents in the stunning location of Aberdeen Art Gallery, which has been shortlisted for the 2021 Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award.

The HAAN Design Pop-Up, delivered by Look Again at Gray’s School of Art and supported by Aberdeen City Council, promises to be even bigger than last year’s event and will include high-quality creative products from 25 designers and makers from the North-East and elsewhere in Scotland.

HAAN has been carefully curated to show a variety of original products ranging from jewellery, ceramics, and textiles, to illustration, clothing and homeware to ensure an ethical and sustainable shopping experience ahead of Christmas. 

The event celebrates each maker’s distinctiveness and use of traditional methods with craftspeople being selected for their uniqueness. Visitors will have the chance to meet and invest in local or Scottish makers, offering bespoke, carefully crafted products.

Sally Reaper, Look Again Co-Director at Gray’s, said; “The interest in the upcoming HAAN Design Pop-Up event has been incredible with our greatest number of applicants to date. Almost half of the applicants come from across Scotland, showing that this local market is growing a national profile.

“The HAAN Design Pop-Up includes some of the best creatives we have in the North-East and elsewhere in Scotland and gives these unique small businesses and independents, the opportunity to showcase their work in the heart of Aberdeen."

A number of the creatives involved in HAAN are Gray’s alumni or have been supported by the university through Look Again. Those selected demonstrate innovative techniques and materials, creative excellence and bespoke handmade products that use traditional methods.

Acclaimed designer and Gray’s School of Art textile alumnus, Donna Wilson, was one of the members of the HAAN selection panel, along with representatives from Look Again and Aberdeen Art Gallery. A previous winner of the Elle Decoration Designer of the Year, Donna said; “The quality of design here in the North-East is as good as you’ll find anywhere in the UK. There’s so much creative talent and it’s great to see Gray’s School of Art’s Look Again project working together with Aberdeen Art Gallery to nurture the region’s creative sector.

“As a Scottish designer, who grew up in Huntly and studied at Gray’s in the nineties, I’m really supportive of the creative sector in the North-East. The HAAN design event showcases applied art and offers visitors the chance to meet the creators and to shop in a sustainable way. I’d encourage everyone to come along to the event.”

Cllr Marie Boulton of Aberdeen City Council said: "In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic it's more important than ever to shop local and support small creative businesses We are looking forward to hosting this talented group of designers and makers in the spectacular surroundings of Aberdeen Art Gallery."

Admission to HAAN pop-up design event is free and takes place at Aberdeen Art Gallery on:  Thursday 2 December 5pm-8pm, Friday 3 & Saturday 4 December 10am-5pm, Sunday 5 December 11am-4pm.

Look out for event updates on social media @AbdnArtMuseums and @lookagainabdn and at  www.aagm.co.uk