We’re delighted to share that Craig Peebles, Edinburgh-based tile maker and Creative Director of Welby and Wright, has been awarded a prestigious QEST Scholarship, recognising his outstanding contribution to British ceramics and endangered craft skills.
Craig specialises in handmade encaustic tile making, a rare and historically significant process that blends clay, colour and patience to create surfaces built to last. Rooted in family tradition and driven by contemporary design, his work bridges heritage craft with modern architectural contexts.
As part of his QEST-supported training, Craig will receive one-to-one technical mentoring from Mark Cumberlidge, Head of Technical here at Valentine Clays. Mark’s expertise in clay bodies and ceramic processes will support Craig in developing his material knowledge and refining the technical demands of encaustic tile production.
Speaking about the award, Craig described the scholarship as a deeply meaningful moment, allowing him to honour the craft traditions passed down to him while exploring new creative possibilities. The support also plays a vital role in ensuring the future of encaustic tile making in Britain. A craft now considered critically endangered.
We are incredibly proud to see our technical knowledge supporting makers at the highest level and to be part of a programme that nurtures skill, innovation and long-term sustainability within the craft sector.