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News Archive
February 11, 2025
First Look at PAW 2025 Festival Concerts & Other Events Programme
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our 2025 programme, featuring an array of concerts, workshops, exhibitions, and performances celebrating creativity across Purbeck from 24 May – 8 June.
Festival Highlights
Saturday 24 May, 6pm – Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham
Concert: Apollo’s Cabinet – a fascinating exploration of 18th-century baroque theatre music.
Sunday 25 May, 12 noon – Church of St Peter, Church Knowle
Concert: Ayres Extemporae & Hannah Ely, ‘Bach and His Roots’ – a journey through the influences that shaped Bach, featuring music by Schein, Buxtehude, and Erlebach.
Wednesday 28 May, 10.30am – 11.30am – The Mowlem, Swanage
Storytelling workshop for children (4 – 8 years) with travel writer Nick Jubber.
Mini-Festival Weekend
Friday 30 May, 6pm – Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham
Concert: Stile Antico, ‘Palestrina 500’ – a tribute to Renaissance composer Palestrina, marking 500 years since his birth.
Saturday 31 May, 10:30am-12:30pm – United Reform Church, Wareham
Workshop for Singers – a fantastic opportunity for singers of all levels, led by members of Stile Antico.
Saturday 31 May, 2pm – Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham
Concert and Talk: a talk on Handel’s Art Collection followed by a 2:30pm concert with Augelletti Ensemble (BBC New Generation Baroque Ensemble) & Alexander Chance.
Saturday 31 May, 5:30pm – Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham
Concert: Saraband & The Opera Company (with Samuel Boden, Hilary Cronin, Emily Gray), ‘Love After the Storm’ – French cantatas from the salons of Rameau and his contemporaries.
Saturday 31 May, 9:30pm – Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham
Concert: Ensemble Gamut & Aino Peltomaa – a musical exploration of Finnish mythology mixing medieval sounds with electronics.
Sunday 1 June, 2pm – St Edward, King & Martyr, Corfe Castle
Concert: Toby Carr, Elizabeth Kenny & Nicholas Mulroy, ‘Cubaroque’ – a fusion of early English and modern South-American sounds.
Monday 2 June, 7.30pm – Royal British Legion, Swanage
Poetry open mic night with Martin Hobdell.
Wednesday 4 June, 6pm – 7pm – The Mowlem, Swanage
Writing workshop for adults with travel writer Nick Jubber.
Thursday 5 June, 10.15am – Encombe House
Coffee concert.
Friday 6 June, 7pm – The Mowlem, Swanage
Talk: An atmospheric feast of magical tales with travel writer Nick Jubber and folk musician, actor, and storyteller Tim Laycock.
Saturday 7 June, 4pm – Carey’s Secret Garden, Wareham
Concert: The Echoing Air & Music for Awhile – ‘The Fairy Queen’ – a picnic performance featuring local primary school students.
Stay Tuned for More!
The full PAW 2025 programme and ticket information will be released soon. Visit www.purbeckartweeksfestival.co.uk for updates.
We are also delighted that The Lulworth Estate will be sponsoring the Festival again this year, helping us to expand our reach, providing more opportunities for artists and audiences alike. PAW Chair, Charlotte Heath, expressed her gratitude, saying, “Their continued sponsorship enables us to foster creativity and cultural exchange throughout Purbeck. This support is instrumental in growing our Purbeck Young Artists (PYA) project, providing free workshops in schools and inspiring the next generation of artists. We can’t wait to showcase their incredible artwork at Rollington Barn during this year’s Festival and create unforgettable moments that celebrate the energy and diversity of our community.”
February 2, 2025
Funding Success to Bring Henry Purcell’s ‘The Fairy Queen’ to Purbeck
Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) is thrilled to announce that we have secured vital funding from Dorset Council and the Dorset Community Foundation to support our upcoming production of The Fairy Queen. This generous funding will enable us to stage Henry Purcell’s enchanting opera in an accessible and community-driven way, ensuring that audiences of all ages can experience this Baroque masterpiece.
A key part of this exciting production will be the involvement of local schoolchildren, who will not only help design the set but will also perform as part of the chorus. This initiative reflects PAW’s ongoing commitment to inspiring young people through the arts, giving them a unique opportunity to engage with live performance and professional musicians.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from Dorset Council and the Dorset Community Foundation,” said Laurel Hart, Director of Strategic Communications, PAW. “This funding allows us to create an unforgettable cultural experience on our doorstep in Purbeck, and actively involving young people in the creative process. Seeing schoolchildren both on stage and behind the scenes will make The Fairy Queen a truly special community production.”
“It’s a wonderful way to introduce young people to the magic of live opera and the joy of collaborative creativity, inspiring the next generation of performers and artists.”
The performance will take place as part of the 2025 Purbeck Art Weeks Festival, with further details on venue and ticketing to be announced soon.
Stay tuned for more updates as we bring this magical production to life!
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 very isolated art practice. Selling a piece of artwork before it had even been hung was a particular highlight, but overall, the quality of Purbeck art goes from strength to strength. I feel very proud as an artist to be a part of it.”
Another artist remarked: “It was great to exhibit with other artists and receive such positive feedback from the public, with excellent sales.”
Applications for the 2025 Festival close on January 31, 2025. To learn more about the process and requirements click here.
For inquiries, please contact us at membership@purbeckartweeks.co.uk.
Bursaries Available to Support Local Artists
In line with our mission to foster local talent, PAW is offering bursaries for visual and performing artists to help them advance their creative careers. These grants provide essential financial support and are designed to empower artists across Purbeck.
“PAW’s bursaries go beyond simply offering financial aid; they serve as a catalyst for nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for growth. By supporting artists now, we lay the foundation for a thriving and vibrant cultural landscape in the future.”
– Charlotte Heath, Chair of PAW
Artists interested in applying for a bursary or seeking more information can reach out to info@purbeckartweeks.co.uk.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of the Purbeck Art Weeks Festival 2025. Join us in celebrating the rich tapestry of creativity that makes Purbeck’s arts scene truly special.
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 sea creatures. The mural not only serves as a breathtaking piece of art but also as a tribute to the unique ecosystems that thrive along Purbeck’s shores.
Schoolchildren Lead the Way
Students from Wool C of E Primary School teamed up with local charity Butterfly Conservation to learn about the life cycles and habitats of butterflies. Under the guidance of Creative Clay for All, the young artists molded vivid clay butterflies, which now take flight across the mural, adding depth and texture to the design. Other local schools, including The Swanage School, The Harbour School Bovington, and St. Mark’s C of E Primary School, joined in to depict the wonders of coastal life—sea birds, snakes, fish, insects, and wildflowers—all blending into a colorful mosaic.
The mural was led by local artist Sophie Jenkins and clay tutor Debbie Clarke, who worked alongside the children to bring their vision of nature to life. Together, they have created a wonderful mural that not only celebrates the beauty of the coastline but also sends a message about the importance of preserving these unique habitats.
The unveiling ceremony was made even more special by the attendance of Swanage Mayoress, Councillor Tina Foster, and Swanage Town Crier Andrew Flemming, who helped officially open the mural.
A Community Effort
The project was made possible with the generous support of Dorset Council, which provided funding to raise awareness of coastal conservation. Coastal Tents donated the marine ply for the mural, while Travis Perkins and Johnstone’s Decorating Centre provided additional materials.
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.
Showcasing young talent
Our collaboration with 14 local schools through our Purbeck Young Artists’ programme resulted in beautiful art projects that were proudly displayed at Rollington. Seeing the creativity and enthusiasm of young budding artists has been truly inspiring and we can’t wait to continue to nurture more.
Thanks to our fantastic coordinator Sophie for making it all happen and to the many artists who led workshops. We were delighted that Purbeck Ice Cream sponsored our opening evening with delicious treats too!
Meeting Purbeck’s talented artists
Open studios were no doubt a major highlight again this year, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the creative spaces of artists across Purbeck’s scenic landscape. From painting and sculpture to ceramics and photography, we got to peek behind the curtain and meet the wonderful artists behind the incredible artwork.
And don’t forget it doesn’t stop with PAW – many of the featured artists are showing and selling their work across locations in Purbeck throughout the year. Be sure to follow them on social media to see what they’re all up to next.
Art in action
We were delighted to have artist Charlotte Fereday with us throughout the Festival with her ‘Spirit of Rollington’ installation, quite literally stitching visitors into her artwork. She will be working on it over the coming weeks and months – stay tuned on social media to see how it’s going!
Thanks to all the artists who hosted demonstrations and workshops in our pop-up studio – we loved seeing the many happy faces of those trying out new crafts and getting inspired to learn something new.
Magical concerts and events
We were thrilled to host an outstanding line-up of musical talent as part of our Concerts & Other Events programme this year, featuring renowned international musicians such as Gawain Glenton with In Echo, I Fagiolini, Fieri Consort, Helen Charlston and Toby Carr, and The Gesualdo Six.
We were honored to welcome PAW President and renowned sculptor Philip Jackson who delivered a fascinating talk on the ‘Changing Face of Beauty’. He thoroughly enjoyed visiting some of the many open studios too.
We were in the news
We are excited to share that PAW received significant coverage and we were even on the front page of the BBC with our pop-up Water Bottle Tree art installation by local sculptor Robert Marshall. The sculpture shines a light on the misuse of single use plastics and aims to raise awareness of environmental issues. Click here to read more.
Thanks to our sponsors
A big thank you to The Lulworth Estate, our main sponsor, for their generous support. And to the trusts, foundations, businesses, Friends, and supporters that have helped us make PAW 2024 such a success. If you’re interested in supporting next year’s Festival please get in touch at info@purbeckartweeks.co.uk.