Sussex Craft Week - Craft Town Arundel
- James Stewart
- May 13
- 5 min read
Visit Arundel during Sussex Craft Week and explore a town shaped by craft
Residents and visitors are invited to spend time in Arundel this June as the town becomes a Craft Town as part of Sussex Craft Week, a county-wide celebration of contemporary craft.
Sussex Craft Week, a ten-day festival led by ROSA (Review of Sussex Arts Magazine), returns for its second edition 20-28 June 2026 with an innovative programme that showcases contemporary craft across the region.
We at Zimmer Stewart Gallery are pleased to present for Sussex Craft Week in Arundel: Woven an exhibition of recent hand woven tapestry by Master Weavers, Caron Penney and Katharine Swailes from their Weftfaced Atelier.
The multi-venue festival supports the region’s skilled artisans and champions Sussex as a destination for exceptional contemporary craft, while highlighting the region’s rich heritage of making.
As one of two designated Craft Towns for Sussex Craft Week, Arundel will present a town-wide programme that brings craft into daily life. Working in partnership, Arundel Town Council, Arun District Council, ROSA, local galleries and independent businesses have developed a programme that makes craft visible, accessible and central to the experience of the town.
Throughout Sussex Craft Week, contemporary craft exhibitions will take place across seven venues in Arundel:
Amy M Gallery: painting in resin at 5-7 Tarrant St
Parkers Atelier: ceramics by Deborah Harwood and Sarah Deere Hall at 29 Tarrant St
Isabella Josie: jewellery at 10 Castle Mews, Tarrant St
The Duff Gallery: ceramics by Josse Davis at 10b Tarrant St
Gallery 57: sculpture by Cara Wassenberg at 57 Tarrant St
Arundel Contemporary: sculpture by Beatrice Hoffman at 2 Maltravers St
Zimmer Stewart Gallery: Woven, hand woven tapestry by Weftfaced, Caron Penney and Katharine Swailes at The Crypt Gallery, Ford Rd
In addition there will be the Arundel Craft Window Trail, where work by Sussex makers will be displayed in shop windows and businesses across the town.
Visitors are encouraged to explore Arundel on foot using a dedicated map, discovering craft while supporting local independent shops, cafés and galleries.
The programme also includes a number of events that allow deeper engagement with making:
On Wednesday 24 June, a ticketed Studio Safari will offer a small group of participants the opportunity to meet makers, visit studios and exhibitions, and learn more about materials, techniques and contemporary craft practice.
This Walking Safari will rendezvous at Arundel War Memorial on the High Street at 10am and aim to finish at 5pm. All the venues are within a half mile of each other.
On this extra special Safari around the creative town of Arundel we will visit FOUR venues and have the opportunity to meet SIX of the region's most talented craftspeople for an intimate discussion of their work, their techniques and inspiration. The Arundel Studio Safari will be led by Zimmer Stewart Gallery owner/curator James Stewart, who will be your guide for the day. He has over 20 years experience with the Sussex art scene.
The four venues are:
Zimmer Stewart Gallery at the Crypt Gallery: showing ‘Woven’ by Weftfaced, and meet master weavers Caron Penney and Katharine Swailes who will introduce you to their practice in hand woven tapestry.
Gallery 57, to meet Cara Wassenburg, a sculptor in copper, glass and steel, and tutor in metalworking at West Dean College.
Lunch will be at Juniper (or you could bring a picnic)
The Duff Gallery (established 1968 by Derek Davis), the studio gallery for figurative raku and stoneware potter Josse Davis, son of potter Derek and painter Ruth Davis.
Parkers Atelier, and discover more about the working life of ceramic artists Deborah Harwood and Sarah Deere Hall.
Spaces on each Safari are deliberately limited to keep the experience special and this Safari is being run in partnership with Craft Town Arundel. For more details at ticketing visit the Makers Directory website.
On Sunday 21 June, the public is invited to attend Meet the Makers in Tarrant Square, a free, informal afternoon event with wine, bringing together makers, local businesses and visitors to talk, connect and celebrate craft in the centre of the town.
Wine will be provided by Digby Fine English.
Additional highlights include a Weftfaced Open Studio, to meet Caron Penney and Katharine Swailes in their Barlavington Studio on 21 June and a four-day weaving workshop at Arundel Museum led by Caron Penney from 25 to 28 June.
For more information on these two events, go to Weftfaced website.
Sussex craft is particularly known for its use of native materials such as locally dug clay, plant dyes, willow and marble, materials that have been worked in the region for centuries. The Craft Towns initiative aims to support individual makers, promote heritage skills that are at risk of being lost, and inspire people to get involved in craft making
Arun District Council, said “Sussex Craft Week brings world-class contemporary craft into towns and communities across the county. Arundel’s Craft Town programme encourages people to visit, explore on foot and enjoy high quality cultural experiences while supporting local businesses and the local economy. Arundel’s Craft Town programme highlights the town as a welcoming cultural destination, benefitting local businesses and the wider visitor economy.”
Arundel Town Council, said “Becoming a Craft Town highlights what makes Arundel special – its independent businesses, heritage, skilled makers and welcoming public spaces. This programme invites residents and visitors to experience craft as part of everyday town life.”
Jessica Wood, Director, ROSA said “Arundel, alongside Alfriston, has been selected as a Craft Town for Sussex Craft Week in recognition of the strong way craft, community, locality and heritage come together. Craft Towns offer the opportunity to see exceptional work by Sussex makers outside of international fairs and major institutions, and play a vital role in supporting individual makers and heritage skills.”
Visitors are encouraged to plan a day out in Arundel during Sussex Craft Week, pick up a map and explore the town. Full details of events, venues and booking information are available at www.rosamagazine.co.uk.
Craft Town Arundel is sponsored by Arun District Council and Arundel Town Council. For programme information, participating venues, and event listings, visit sussexcraftweek.com
About Sussex Craft Week
Sussex Craft Week is a ten-day festival, curated by ROSA (Review of Sussex Arts CIC) in partnership with West Dean that promotes contemporary and heritage craft across Sussex through exhibitions, markets, studio tours, talks, workshops, and public events. Launched in 2025, the festival connects makers, venues, businesses, and communities while supporting the visibility and sustainability of the region’s craft sector.
Contact us to find out more about Sussex Craft Week and the artists we are exhibiting, Caron Penney and Katharine Swailes.
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