In June 2020, Farnham was awarded ‘World Craft City’ status by the World Crafts Council and became the first town in England and the third region in Europe to join the network of world craft cities. Other European holders of the designation include the Outer Hebrides for Harris tweed and the Danish island of Bornholm, famous for its glass production and pottery using locally worked clay.
The World Crafts Council welcomed Farnham to the network of world craft cities which is a contribution to the UNESCO Creative Cities programme. Only 36 other regions and cities across the globe have been awarded Craft City status.
Today marks the launch of a short film that is being released to explain what it means for Farnham to be a World Craft Town and raise awareness of the designation in advance of Farnham’s Craft Month. The film highlights Farnham’s thriving community of makers, world-class creative institutions and activities happening within the town and local area. It celebrates the rich history of craft in Farnham and encourages the wider community to feel proud of this aspect of the town and motivated to get involved.
List of featured makers
Ian Bishop – 3D Designer
Lucy Burley – Potter
Alice Howard Graham – Printed Textile Maker
Max Humphries – Puppet Maker
Allison Ellen – Textile Maker & Hand Knitter
John Cooksley – Blacksmith
Ashley Howard – Potter
Nao Fukomoto – Weaver
Ruta Brown – Jeweller
“We are absolutely delighted with the film: we can’t stop grinning, and we feel very lucky to be in what is a work of art in itself. The film is beautiful to look at and a perfect encapsulation of our lovely town as a treasure-trove of Craft.”
Lucy Burley, Potter and Ian Bishop, 3D Designer
The video also features the town’s creative landscape including the Farnham Maltings, The University of Creative Arts, the International Textiles Research Centre run by Professor Lesley Millar MBE; the internationally renowned Crafts Study Centre, celebrating its 50th year; The New Ashgate Gallery, one of the leading contemporary arts galleries in the south east of England; Farnham Pottery, founded by Absalom Harris in 1873, which has the oldest wood fired kiln in Europe; and a wide range of community-led activities that take place throughout the year.
View the film on our Craft Town pages.
