Sussex Craft Week: Explore the First Edition
Ever fancied stepping behind the scenes of the UK’s craft revival? This summer, the inaugural Sussex Craft Week offers a rare invitation to meet the makers, witness heritage skills in action, and celebrate the rich craft traditions of East and West Sussex. Taking place from 14–22 June 2025, the week-long festival features over 60 events across 40 venues and showcases the work of more than 100 makers.
From a West Dean course: Stencil Printing Floral/Botanical Designs on Fabric.
Curated by ROSA Magazine in partnership with West Dean College, and supported by a host of creative collaborators, Sussex Craft Week highlights the region as a powerhouse of contemporary craft and a custodian of centuries-old making traditions. From ancient weaving and natural dyeing to avant-garde embroidery and artist-led print studios, the textile highlights alone are worth the trip.
To help you on your journey of discover, we've compiled a few of the featured textile shows below:
Hastings, St Leonards and Rye
Don’t miss the live demonstrations at Hastings Contemporary on 14 June. Watch ancient natural dyeing and block printing techniques in action with artist Sarah Burns, alongside Sussex fishermen reviving net making and knot tying traditions.
Deborah Bowness 'Frock' Wallpaper. Images courtesy of Deborah Bowness.
Further along the coast, visit textile artist and wallpaper designer Deborah Bowness in her St Leonards print-room (14, 19–21 June), and catch the De La Warr Pavilion’s exhibition featuring the textile works of Claudia Alarcón & Silät.
Eastbourne
Towner Eastbourne presents Sussex Modernism, a sweeping look at craft’s place in the region’s artistic legacy. Textile works include a tapestry by Edward Burne-Jones and contemporary embroidery by Delaine Le Bas.
Delaine Le Bas, 'Safe European Home?', courtesy of the artist.
In nearby Hailsham, Chapter 2 shoemakers open their workshop for a hands-on experience in boot design and traditional leather craft.
Lewes District
There’s plenty for textile lovers here. The historic Southover Gallery hosts a solstice-themed summer show with guest makers offering a mindful sewing retreat on 14 June, and Lewes’s own Ida’s House teams up with Depot cinema to present KnitFlix – an evening of knitting and film on 21 June.
Knitflix at Depot Cinema, in partnership with Ida's House. Image: Sussex Craft Week.
Nearby, in an ancient coppiced woodland, Ruby Taylor, author of Wild Basketry, will guide participants through making natural cordage on 14 June.
Over in Ditchling, textile history takes centre stage at the Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft with the exhibition Tadek Beutlich: On and Off the Loom, alongside a Polish Pajaki chandelier workshop led by Karolina Merska.
Brighton & Hove
Textile artist Sarah Young contributes to Atelier Beside the Sea’s ANIMAL exhibition, while the Midsumor Village fair in Ticehurst (21 June) features the whimsical textile creations of Carola van Dyke and embroidered works by Emily Barnett, co-curated by Tutton & Young.
Chichester and Arundel
Renowned college West Dean have a number of short courses on offer held over the Sussex Craft Week festival. Choose from the likes of medieval ironwork, woodturning, natural dyeing, woodcut prints, sculpture, and more.
Ann Symes. One of 80 woven experiments. Image courtesy of Ann Symes.
Arundel’s elegant Gallery57 presents 60/80: Milestones for Two Artists a birthday celebration for two local craft legends, Alison Crowther and Ann Symes. Crowther will be showing 60 wood sculptures, one for each of her years, while Symes will show 80 woven artworks to mark her eight decades on the planet. Or discover eco-printing and how to up-cycle textiles in a demonstration by Alison Furey in East Lavant, Chichester (14 June)
Petworth
Don’t miss the Sussex Craft Awards exhibition at Newlands House Gallery or the open studio with artist-weavers Katherine Swailes and Caron Penney, where visitors can explore working looms and contemporary tapestry weaving.
As Francine Norris of West Dean College puts it:
“Sussex has an extensive history within the craft movement and remains a vibrant centre for contemporary makers to this day.”
We invite you to visit the Sussex Craft Week website to find out more. Plan a trip, book a workshop, and immerse yourself in the creative spirit of Sussex this June.
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Further Information:
Sussex Craft Week is on from 14 - 22 June. Visit the website for more details.
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Image Credits:
LEAD: Tadek Beutlich teaching his craft. Photo: courtesy Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft.
All other images as credited in image captions.