Residents and visitors are invited to explore Arundel in a new light this summer, as the town takes centre stage as a Craft Town for Sussex Craft Week, 20–28 June 2026.
Arundel Town Council, working in partnership with Arun District Council and ROSA (Review of Sussex Arts), is proud to be part of this county-wide celebration of contemporary and heritage craft. The Craft Town initiative brings together what makes Arundel so special – its independent businesses, its skilled makers, its heritage buildings and its welcoming public spaces – and invites everyone to experience craft as part of everyday town life.
Arundel has been selected as the Craft Town for West Sussex, with Alfriston representing East Sussex. Together they form the centrepiece of Sussex Craft Week, a ten-day festival that is now in its second edition, growing from a hugely successful launch in 2025.
A Town Transformed by Craft
Throughout Sussex Craft Week, the work of exceptional Sussex makers will be woven into the fabric of the town. Seven galleries and venues will host dedicated craft exhibitions, and the Arundel Craft Window Trail will bring the work of makers into shop windows and businesses across the high street and beyond.
Visitors are encouraged to explore on foot, picking up a dedicated map and discovering craft while enjoying everything Arundel’s independent cafés, shops and galleries have to offer.
The seven exhibition venues are:
- Amy M Gallery, 5–7 Tarrant St – painting in resin
- Parkers Atelier, 29 Tarrant St – ceramics by Deborah Harwood and Sarah Deere Hall
- Isabella Josie, 10 Castle Mews, Tarrant St – jewellery
- The Duff Gallery, 10b Tarrant St – ceramics by Josse Davis
- Gallery 57, 57 Tarrant St – sculpture by Cara Wassenberg
- Arundel Contemporary, 2 Maltravers St – sculpture by Beatrice Hoffman
- Zimmer Stewart Gallery, The Crypt Gallery, Ford Rd – Woven, hand-woven tapestry by master weavers Caron Penney and Katharine Swailes (Weftfaced Atelier)
Events and Things to Do
There is a rich programme of events throughout the week, offering different ways to connect with craft and with the makers behind it.
Meet the Makers – Sunday 21 June (free) Tarrant Square comes alive on the Sunday afternoon of the festival with a free, informal gathering of makers, local businesses and visitors. Come along to meet the people behind the work, share a glass of fizz and be part of a celebration of craft in the heart of the town. Friends and family are very welcome.
Studio Safari – Wednesday 24 June (ticketed) A small group of participants will be guided by James Stewart, owner and curator of Zimmer Stewart Gallery, on a walking tour of four Arundel venues, meeting six of the region’s most talented craftspeople along the way. The Safari visits Zimmer Stewart Gallery, Gallery 57, The Duff Gallery and Parkers Atelier, with lunch at Juniper (or bring a picnic). Starting at Arundel War Memorial at 10am, all venues are within half a mile of each other. Places are deliberately limited to keep the experience personal and special. Tickets are available via The Makers Directory.
Weftfaced Open Studio – Sunday 21 June Master weavers Caron Penney and Katharine Swailes open their Barlavington Studio to visitors, offering a rare chance to see hand-woven tapestry being made and to meet two of the country’s finest practitioners in their own working space.
Tapestry Workshop – Wednesday 25 to Saturday 28 June Caron Penney leads a four-day tapestry workshop at Arundel Museum, giving participants the chance to learn the craft from a master weaver. For details and booking, visit weftfaced.com.
Why Craft Towns Matter
Sussex has a long and remarkable tradition of making, rooted in native materials that have been worked in this region for centuries – locally dug clay, plant dyes, willow, Petworth marble. The Craft Towns initiative is about honouring that heritage while celebrating the thriving contemporary craft scene that has grown up around it.
Craft Towns offer something rare: the chance to see world-class work by makers who don’t typically open their studios or exhibit at international fairs, brought directly into the places where people live and shop and gather. It is about making exceptional craft accessible to everyone.
Jessica Wood, Director of ROSA, said: “Arundel has been selected as a Craft Town for Sussex Craft Week in recognition of the strong way craft, community, locality and heritage come together here. 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.”
Arun District Council said: “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. It highlights the town as a welcoming cultural destination, benefitting local businesses and the wider visitor economy.”
Plan Your Visit
Sussex Craft Week runs 20–28 June 2026. Pick up a map in town or download one from the website, and spend a morning, an afternoon or a full day discovering what Arundel’s makers, galleries and businesses have to offer.
Full details of all events, venues and booking information are available at sussexcraftweek.com
For any queries about Craft Town Arundel, please contact Laura Mott: townprojects@arundeltowncouncil.gov.uk
Craft Town Arundel is supported by Arundel Town Council and Arun District Council, and organised by ROSA in partnership with West Dean.
