Welcome to PAW!
We are a vibrant arts organisation dedicated to fostering creativity and enriching the lives of people in Purbeck through the arts.
Our flagship annual PAW Festival showcases a diverse range of talent, featuring open studios, exhibitions, concerts, performances, and talks that bring together local artists, international talent, and the wider community.
Beyond the Festival, we run a vibrant events programme, offering unique opportunities to experience world-class music and creative collaborations in Purbeck.
We are passionate about supporting the next generation too. Through our bursaries and the Purbeck Young Artists (PYA) initiative, we work with local schools to provide young people with the tools, skills, and encouragement to explore their creativity.
PAW 2025: 24 May – 8 June
Applications to exhibit at PAW 2025 are now open!
Are you working, living or studying in Purbeck and keen to showcase your work at PAW 2025? Applications to exhibit open on 1 January 2025. Head over to our members’ area to sign up and find out more. Deadline is 31 January 2025.
Follow us at @PurbeckArtWeeks on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up to our newsletter here.
Become a Friend
If you would like to become a Friend and get advance information and booking, please click here for more details. If you join now you can enjoy our series of winter concerts – Chamber Music in Purbeck Houses – starting in January 2025.
Our Latest News:
December 30, 2024
Applications Open on 1 January to Exhibit at Purbeck Art Weeks Festival 2025
Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) is thrilled to announce that applications to exhibit in the Purbeck Art Weeks Festival 2025 will officially open on January 1, 2025. Taking place from May 24 to June 8, 2025, this much-anticipated event is a unique opportunity for local visual artists to showcase their work and connect with Purbeck’s vibrant artistic community. Reflecting on PAW 2024, one participant shared: “Overhearing customers’ comments on my artwork has been a huge encouragement and validation to an otherwise … Read more
September 30, 2024
Vibrant New ‘Coastal Life’ Mural Unveiled by Local Schoolchildren on Swanage Sea Front
A splash of colour and creativity has transformed Swanage Sea Front, as Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) proudly unveils its latest artistic creation, “Coastal Life”, on Friday, 27 September. This stunning mural, a vibrant celebration of Purbeck’s natural beauty, has been brought to life by over 100 local schoolchildren, showcasing the rich biodiversity along the Dorset coastline. The project, a collaboration between four local schools, highlights the flora and fauna of the Dorset Coast—from majestic puffins to delicate butterflies and wriggling … Read more
June 19, 2024
PAW 2024 Festival Highlights
What an incredible Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) Festival we’ve had this year! We hope you enjoyed the vibrant and diverse range of artwork, concerts, other events, and creative activities on offer. This year, we showcased an incredible array of talent, featuring over 100 local artists, creatives, and international musicians. Our Festival hub, Rollington Barn, and over 30 open studios attracted thousands of visitors from near and far, all eager to immerse themselves in the Festival’s buzzing atmosphere and creative energy. … Read more