Leading ceramic artist and popular judge on BBC’s Great Pottery Throw Down, Kate Malone, MBE will launch October Craft Month this Saturday (1 October) from 12pm at Farnham Pottery where there will be crafting activities through the afternoon. October Craft Month, organised by Farnham Town Council and the Farnham Maltings, offers a packed programme of workshops, talks, exhibitions and drop-in sessions to appeal to everyone from absolute beginners to expert crafters.
“The launch promises to be a really enjoyable afternoon and we are especially privileged to have Kate Malone join us at Farnham Pottery. Kate’s work is stunning and she is a marvellous communicator. We would love to see lots of people come along to join us,” says the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker. “Book in advance on Farnham Pottery’s website if you would like to take part in one of the launch event workshops on pottery, lino print or drawing and if those don’t tempt you, we have patchwork, quilting and sculpting demonstrations to watch plus a pop-up exhibition of artists’ work.”
The Craft Month programme includes workshops on a variety of crafts, including patchwork and applique, willow sculpture, Indian block printing, flower arranging, calligraphy and pottery. There is something going on everyday throughout the month and many events are free.
While Craft Month provides numerous opportunities to try out new crafts, the organisers promise there is also lots to see without having to get your hands messy or even pick up a pair of scissors. Artists will be exhibiting their work, opening their studio doors and there will be original art works for sale at the Making Matters Pop-up Shop and the Festival of Crafts at Farnham Maltings.
“As England’s first World Craft Town, we are well placed to curate an entire month of events around a breadth of crafts. As well as lots going on for adults, there is plenty for children too, including half term activities and, for very young ones, luxury messy play sessions at Upper Hale Community Centre,” says the Mayor.
Among the exhibitions planned especially for Craft Month is ‘A world of craft on our doorstep’ (at the Bush Hotel throughout October), a free event celebrating crafts in and around Farnham. An exhibition of the work of Jessica Stroud, the 2021 Surrey Artist of the Year, takes place at the New Ashgate Gallery and the Kiln Photo community will exhibit its members’ photographic work at the Kiln Village Hall in Badshot Lea.
The month also highlights regular crafting meet-ups, such as Nimble Fingers weekly knitting and crochet session and the Farnham Creatives Network, a friendly networking group for makers and other creatives. Both are held at Farnham Maltings.
The entire programme of October Craft Month is online at www.farnhamcrafttown.com along with more information about Farnham’s designation as a World Craft Town.
