The free Norfolk Makers Festival celebration of creativity returns to The Forum, Norwich with nine days of activities, exhibitions, talks, and workshops for everyone to get involved in from April 13-21.
For 2024 it brings an incredible line-up of local artists, makers and creators, spanning disciplines, art forms, and generations. With work on show from the very best of local talent, and makers happy to share their knowledge, the Festival promises to inspire!
The Forum will be packed with all kinds of artists, artisans and crafters, who will be giving live inspiring demonstrations, and offering visitors the chance to have a go at activities, for free! Alongside this programme of free hands-on taster sessions, there are plenty of workshops led by local makers, where visitors can book tickets to learn how to spin, crochet, print, draw, make jewellery, and much more.
With more than 100 events taking place in Norwich throughout Norfolk Makers Festival, there is something for everybody to enjoy: including talks from experts on subjects as diverse as the history of corsets to the art of recreating medieval tapestries.
Jayne Evans, Norfolk Makers Festival Producer, says: “There really isn’t another event quite like the Norfolk Makers Festival… where else can you have a go, for free, at such a wide range of arts and crafts, with all materials and tuition provided? It’s a perfect way to start learning new skills or brushing up on old ones!”
Two highlights of the 2024 programme include local celebrities 18-year-old TikTok crochet star Ellen Siegert, known for her mini-dolls of stars like Taylor Swift, and 94-year-old-knitting genius Margaret Seaman, whose work includes the magnificent Knitted Sandringham.
These two brilliant makers represent the imagination and innovation of making today, melding pop-culture with craftmanship, and showcase the very best in talent across generations.
For the first time ever, Margaret Seaman’s world-famous Complete Collection will be on display, with Knitted Sandringham, Buckingham Palace, Great Yarmouth Golden Mile and more on show. These incredible to-scale works by great-great grandmother Margaret have never been exhibited simultaneously before.
Visitors will also get to admire work from The Costume and Textile Association (C&TA), who are presenting a special exhibition in honour of their 35th anniversary, new tapestries depicting ancient struggles against Norman invaders created especially for the Norwich Castle Keep reopening, and accompanying these exhibitions are a series of illuminating accompanying talks. Also at Norfolk Makers Festival is Under The Surface, an exhibition of unique textile work by local artists curated especially for the Festival.
Everybody is welcome at Norfolk Makers Festival, from beginners to experts, to have a go, meet artists and makers, admire stunning work, and enjoy crafty conversations.
The full Festival programme can be found on norfolkmakersfestival.co.uk
