Inside the Studios: A Festive Journey Through Cockpit’s Creative Community

As the festive season approaches, Cockpit invites visitors to step away from the ordinary and rediscover the joy of meaningful gifting. Its Winter Open Studios — opening in Deptford during the first weekend of December — offers a rare chance to buy or commission handmade pieces directly from some of the UK’s most talented craftspeople.

Malaika Carr with a visitor at Winter Open Studios 2024. Photo: Jamie Trounce.

The event offers a glimpse into the creative processes behind each meticulously crafted object. Whether your eye is drawn to contemporary ceramics, handwoven textiles, fine jewellery, leatherwork, mosaics, or millinery, Cockpit remains one of London’s most exciting places to encounter new craft voices and distinctive design. Every purchase supports an independent maker, helping sustain the vibrant ecosystem of craft that Cockpit has championed for nearly four decades.

Scarves by Hannah Refaat

Cockpit is a centre of excellence for contemporary craft and a leader in nurturing creative talent. Through a combination of subsidised studio space, in-house business training, coaching, and commercial opportunities, Cockpit offers makers the support they need to sustain and grow their practice. Its extensive programme of awards and bursaries provides crucial financial backing, allowing craftspeople the freedom to hone their skills and develop thriving independent businesses. Beyond its studios, Cockpit supports hundreds more through outreach, training programmes, and international consultancy, strengthening the craft sector locally and globally...

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Image Credits:

Lead: Ho Lai Tablewear, courtesy of Cockpit

All further images as credited in photo captions.