The Bluecoat Display Centre originated as one of this country’s earliest craft galleries in 1959.
The Bdc was founded by Robert Gardner-Medwin, Professor of Architecture at Liverpool University, with the aim of promoting and displaying the work of leading designers of the time. Gardner-Medwin intended the work shown at the Bdc to enhance good architecture and interior design, and over the past 65 years we have established a national reputation for selling the finest contemporary craft.
The Bdc has shown the work of seminal British craft makers and supported the early careers of new makers. We have offered a platform for thousands of selected makers from the North West and across the UK from our gallery in Liverpool, as well as at major national and international collectors fairs like Collect and the Sculptural Object and Functional Art Fair (SOFA) in Chicago. Through our exhibitions we have also introduced our audience to makers working across Europe, Australia and the USA.
Robert Gardner-Medwin’s original ethos continues today as the Bluecoat Display Centre continues to lead the way in contemporary craft, and our audiences include collectors, craft enthusiasts and those who appreciate and support excellence in craft and design.