About PAW | The PAW Team | Contact Us | News Archive | Acknowledgements | Advertising | Policies
News Archive
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.
May 16, 2024
A Journey Through Creativity: From Pop-Ups and Open Studios to World Class Music
This article originally featured in Dorset Magazine.
At the heart of the Festival lies a vibrant spectrum of artistic expression, each stroke, sculpture, and creation tells a story. As visitors embark on this year’s Festival trail – between May 25 – June 9 – they are not merely observers but participants in a vibrant, enriching experience, where every step unveils new insights, sparks fresh perspectives, and kindles a sense of inspiration.
Begin your journey at Rollington Barn (near Corfe Castle) for our extensive collective exhibition, showcasing established and emerging artists alike, working across a range of mediums including textiles, metalwork, glass art, woodworking, and ceramics. And in the Byre you’ll find the inspiring pieces from our Purbeck Young Artists programme. Don’t miss ‘The Spirit of Rollington’ – an intriguing installation by artist Charlotte Fereday, where you can even become part of the artwork itself.
Artists across the region will also be opening their studio doors, some for the first time, to welcome you. Look out for the small yellow and blue PAW direction signs and be sure to grab a brochure so you can plan your trail using the PAW map at the back.
PAW is not just about the visual arts. We also come alive with a series of enchanting concerts and events, promising unforgettable musical experiences against the backdrop of Purbeck’s beautiful landscape. From brass flourishes to soul-stirring vocal performances, there’s something for every music lover. There will also be an illustrated talk by Festival President and world renowned sculptor, Philip Jackson, on The Changing Face of Beauty, Wednesday 29 May.
This year’s festival is sponsored by The Lulworth Estate.
Celebrating the Dorset Landscape
Kimberley Day creates paintings that are in part a celebration of the Dorset landscape but also an exploration of the human state – that constant search for meaning which seems almost always over the next horizon. Through her work she endeavours to capture an essence of that innate curiosity and desire to make clear what evades us. Her paintings are both a literal interpretation of travelled local landscapes and an expression of sensation and memory through mark making, composition and the play of colour – an attempt to capture both our internal and external landscapes… ever changing, shifting and surprising us.
She uses acrylics, pastels and charcoal on paper or gesso board – and you can see her finished work and the artist in action in her Open Studio exhibition at the secluded and beautiful Coombe Keynes Church near Wool during the upcoming PAW Festival. She combines working in the Film industry as a freelance Concept artist for her day job, with painting and making jewellery in her spare time. Kimberley has an MA from the RCA and a BA in Fine Art, exhibiting at local galleries as well as London.
A sculpture with a powerful message
A remarkable 24 ft ‘Water Bottle Tree’ will be making an appearance at various secret locations across Purbeck during the Festival. A towering testament to environmental awareness by Purbeck-based sculptor Robert Marshall, the tree is crafted from used plastic water bottles and seeks to shed light on the detrimental impacts of single-use plastics, the alarming misuse of water resources in our society and industries and the huge impact on the planet. Share your sightings on Facebook and Instagram by tagging #PAW2024 and @purbeckartweeks in your post.
Captivating music
The Festival opens with a celebration of summertime with German music from the instrumental ensemble, In Echo. Go to purbeckartweeks.co.uk for the full programme of events and concerts. For tickets and the full programme of concerts and other events go to purbeckartweeks.co.uk
Pop-up studios
Rollington Barn in Corfe Castle hosts the Pop-Up Studios where a variety of artists will be demonstrating their skills throughout the PAW Festival weeks. Come and watch them in action or even have a go yourself.
March 18, 2024
Purbeck Art Weeks Festival Delighted to Welcome The Lulworth Estate as Main Sponsor for 2024 Festival
Purbeck Art Weeks Festival is thrilled to announce that The Lulworth Estate will be its main sponsor for this year’s festival (25 May – 9 June).
As a Festival dedicated to showcasing the incredible talent and creativity within the Purbeck area, we couldn’t be happier to have the support of The Lulworth Estate. We are delighted that they will be supporting our mission to foster a vibrant and diverse arts scene that inspires, engages, and uplifts our community, particularly young people.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Lulworth Estate for their generosity” said Charlotte Heath, Chair of Purbeck Art Weeks Festival. “Their sponsorship allows us to expand our reach, enhance our programming, support local artists and further our mission of promoting creativity and cultural exchange across Purbeck. This support also allows us to continue to grow our Purbeck Young Artists (PYA) project, offering young people free workshops in their schools. We’re looking forward to seeing their artwork at Rollington Barn as part of this year’s Festival and creating many unforgettable moments that celebrate the diversity and vitality of our creative community.”
“We are delighted for Lulworth to be involved in fostering the wealth of artistic talent we have in Purbeck and we hope that our contribution will help to encourage many more, particularly the young, to take the opportunity of the Purbeck Art Weeks Festival to show everyone what they can achieve” Added James Weld, The Lulworth Estate.
Whether you’re a seasoned art aficionado or just looking for some inspiration we invite everyone to join us for a two-week celebration of art, music, creativity, and community spirit at Purbeck Art Weeks Festival 2024. Keep a look out on our website for our full programme of concerts and other events.