Cromford Mills is proud to host a series of Meet the Maker events as part of Derbyshire Makes 2026, in partnership with Haarlem Artspace. Taking place in the atmospheric Gothic Warehouse, these relaxed evening talks invite you to hear directly from an inspiring line-up of local artists, designers and craftspeople. Discover the stories behind their work, explore their creative processes and gain insight into the realities of life as a maker, with opportunities to see work up close and enjoy live demonstrations.
Following an initial opportunity to collaborate on a commission in 1995 Johnny White and Amanda Wray have worked together on many projects enabling them to combine Johnny’s humorous kinetic style with Amanda’s quirky figurative sculptures. They have exhibited their artworks widely across Europe and have also employed their skills to complete many exciting performance and public art projects, often involving schools and communities.
Meet the Makers: Amanda Wray & Johnny White – sculpture
About Johnny White
Having enjoyed making unusual bicycles and playing with Meccano as a child Johnny went into mechanical engineering as an apprentice when he left school. He later changed course and studied art completing a ceramics degree at Cardiff. He started making kinetic sculptures in the 1980s and has been a freelance sculptor since 1988. His sculptures are usually humorous, often interactive and some-
times quite large. He has exhibited widely both in the UK and around Europe, his work is included in several public collections across Europe and his public art pieces are sited across the UK.
About Amanda Wray
Amanda’s figurative style is meaningful, accessible and often tongue in cheek, she skilfully models clay in a lifelike manner with an added playful twist.
She also works in mosaic and stone and she has made public artworks for outside Carlisle Castle, a number of parks in Sheffield and a 2m high head sculpture with a mosaic interior seat for two people for Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield and has recently enjoyed working on sketchy animations and digital prints.