London Craft Week 2025 showcases Burberry's collaboration with Jess Wheeler and The Courtauld, highlighting innovative craftsmanship in the fashion industry.
Springtime in London is a joy to behold, with blooming tulips, chirping lambs, and longer evenings. May is the perfect month to unleash your creative spirit, and luckily, London Craft Week is just around the corner to spark that artistic fire inside you.
Regardless of your age or artistic inclinations, this city-wide festival offers over 400 events that cater to various tastes. Guy Salter, the mastermind behind London Craft Week, calls London "a magnet for talent from all corners of the globe," and this year, he guarantees "even more to explore" during the 11th annual edition.
Here are some must-see events for craft enthusiasts:
Secret Ceramics at Christie's
Get ready for a pottery lover's dream at the iconic auction house, Christie's. This event features works by established and emerging artists like Claudia Rankin, Hitomi Hosono, Bouke de Vries, Freya Bramble Carter, and more. And the twist? Artists' identities are revealed only after purchase. Proceeds from the sales will support four ceramic studios in disadvantaged London neighborhoods. Open from May 12-16.
Modern Masters at Battersea Power Station
Artist and filmmaker Charlotte Colbert brings her artistic vision to Battersea Power Station with 'Modern Masters.' Free contemporary art displays include 'Dreamland Sirens' and 'Where Angels Live,' which explore identity, dreams, and the unconscious. Battersea Power Station is hosting numerous events this year, celebrating Wandsworth being named London Borough of Culture for 2025.
Pajaki Workshop with Karolina Merska
Learn to create traditional Polish chandeliers called Pajaki during a two-part workshop. Made of rye straw and paper pompons, these decorations date back to the mid-18th century. Karolina Merska, an artist mentored by folk artists, will guide you through the process.
Demonstration of Marionette Craftsmanship at V&A Museum
Dive into the world of puppetry beyond Punch and Judy with a demonstration by Oliver Hymans, an award-winning puppetry artist, and emerging talent Ash Appadu at the Victoria and Albert Museum. You'll witness marionette craftsmanship firsthand and learn about the craft's preservation for future generations.
Herbarium Cabinet at The Linnean Society
If you're a plant enthusiast, this is the event for you! Tess and Alfred Newall's 'Herbarium Cabinet' will be on display at The Linnean Society. The contemporary piece, a mix of decorative art and furniture, embodies the reimagining of historic botanical specimen cabinets. Tess Newall will also host a botanical drawing workshop on May 14.
More Craftyential Insights
Discover even more events at London Craft Week, including Jess Wheeler's sculpture demonstration, a tutu-making workshop, craftsmanship demonstrations on Sloane Street, lighting design workshops, and the Kensington Dollshouse Festival. Visit the London Craft Week website for the full list of events and let your creativity run wild!
- For those with a passion for fashion-and-beauty, don't miss the opportunity to attend the tutu-making workshop during London Craft Week, where you can learn a crafty skill and take home your own creation.
- For enthusiasts of food-and-drink, The Linnean Society's 'Herbarium Cabinet' exhibition offers an immersive experience for plant lovers, providing education-and-self-development about the history of botanical specimen cabinets.
- Travellers and home-and-garden lovers will be enchanted by the Pajaki Workshop with Karolina Merska, where they can learn about traditional Polish decorative crafts and bring a beautiful, handmade chandelier back home.
