The artists and organisers bringing Farnham Craft Month to life

When Philippa Hufton’s father developed dementia, she took up silversmithing so they would have something in common to talk about, writes Natalia Sharomova.

Today (Saturday, October 3), as Farnham Craft Month officially launches with around 140 events across the town, Philippa is helping others discover the connections that making things can bring.

Known as Pippa, she coordinates the programme, working with local organisations and makers to bring their exhibitions, workshops and activities together.

Craft has long been part of her life. Her mother taught her to sew as a child, while her father took up silversmithing later in life.

By coincidence, Pippa and her father shared a teacher, who helped her understand the unfinished designs in his workshop. After his death, she was able to carry on some of that work.

“I could finish things that I found in his workshop that he’d never got around to finishing,” she says.

Her teacher later encouraged her to study for an Master’s degree at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA). After completing it, she became involved in organising Craft Month and now balances that role with her own jewellery-making.

Putting the programme together takes months of work, with organisers, artists and volunteers finding venues, preparing activities and building connections.

Farnham Town Council provides financial support, while local organisations contribute spaces, events and publicity. Farnham Maltings helps design and print the programme booklet, and makers bring their skills and ideas.

The shared programme also gives organisations that might otherwise be competitors a chance to collaborate.

Reaching individual makers is another important part of the task, supported by Farnham Creatives’ Network.

“I couldn’t reach out to the hundreds of makers, but the creative network can do that,” Pippa explains.

Founded in 2019, the network brings together local artists, makers, designers, educators, gallerists and others working in the creative sector.

Its free, informal Network Nights at Farnham Maltings offer a place to exchange ideas, meet collaborators and find a creative community.

The network is run by three local volunteers – mosaic artist Denise Jaques, paper artist Lucy Dorothy and gallerist Nina Jex – supported by the Farnham Maltings Craft Team.

“I believe that if you put creative people together, stuff happens,” says Denise, an artist and network co-founder.

“There is a real buzz as members set up exhibitions, festivals and events together, while also making useful connections. It’s a great way for people moving to the area to find a creative community.”

This October, those connections are bringing more than 70 local artists and makers to Brightwells Creative Space.

With support from the Brightwells team, the network is coordinating seven exhibitions, a folk festival, a craft market and more than 30 creative workshops. Many events are free, with plenty for families during half-term.

Among those taking part is The Artist Collective, seven artists whose two-day exhibition on October 7 and 8 brings together painting, ceramics and photography.

Three members will be exhibiting at Brightwells for the first time.

An opening evening on Wednesday, October 7, from 6pm to 9pm, will include an informal “artist to artist” discussion about inspiration, working methods and the processes behind the finished pieces.

Visitors can listen, ask questions or join the conversation, with no specialist knowledge needed. There will also be opportunities to buy artwork or discuss commissions.

Across Farnham, the wider Craft Month programme includes exhibitions, talks, demonstrations, open studios and workshops at Farnham Maltings, New Ashgate Gallery, Brightwells Creative Space, Farnham Pottery and the Rural Life Living Museum, as well as independent makers’ studios.

Today’s official launch takes place at UCA in Farnham from 11am to 3pm, with demonstrations and hands-on activities for families.

Free programme booklets are available from Farnham Town Council, Farnham Library and Farnham Maltings. Full details can also be found at farnhamcrafttown.com.

For those keen to meet other local creatives, the next free Network Nights take place at Farnham Maltings on Tuesdays, October 13 and December 1, from 7pm to 9pm.

For a full list of Craft Month events visit here