News

London’s leading centre for contemporary craft, Cockpit Arts, is delighted to announce the return of its Summer Festival after an 18-month break.

Taking place over two weekends – 25–27 June and 2–4 July – in Holborn and Deptford – Cockpit Arts is excited to welcome everyone back to the studios to explore and discover the latest work by some of the nation’s most celebrated makers, designers and artists. The diverse festival programme will run both in person and online and boasts a wide selection of activities including makers’ workshops, talks, studio tours, and an online shop.

The festival is free to attend but all visitors must pre-book their tickets in accordance with COVID regulations. The Summer Festival brings together over 150 makers across 21 different disciplines ranging from textiles to ceramics, glass, wood, fine jewellery, homewares, fashion, accessories and so much more. It presents the perfect opportunity to discover new emerging talent and celebrate London’s flourishing craft community of makers, which Cockpit Arts have supported throughout the pandemic.

The Summer Festival will also present a unique opportunity to meet all of Cockpit Arts’ well-known makers in their studios and buy their latest pieces.

Makers in wood – Cockpit Arts, Deptford: 2–4 July

Arturo Soto

Using woodturning techniques, award-winning London-based Mexican designer Arturo Soto creates pots, pedestals and shrines for bonsai from recycled wood. In collaboration with Tranquil Plants and his own brand, Memories of Green, his work focuses on elegant, sustainable design with a zero-waste approach. His 'living temples' can be detached from their walnut and ply pedestals so plants can be watered and sprayed, then easily replaced in their chalice.

Darren Appiagyei – Inthegrain

Darren Appiagyei's design company, Inthegrain, focuses on creating bespoke pieces with a wood-orientated theme, with every piece created having an underlying story based on personal experience or inspired by everyday life. One of the key components of Inthegrain is the exploration of exotic materials, with there being a emphasis on analysis, malleability and an understanding of material in order to create a functional object.

Eleanor Lakelin

Working only with trees grown in Britain, felled due to decay, Eleanor has a deep knowledge and passionate interest in the natural properties of wood. Since 2011, she's concentrated on the vessel form. Creating sculptural objects using a traditional woodturning lathe and centuries-old chisels and gouges alongside modern carving techniques, Eleanor's award-winning work is rooted in the rhythm of growth, the eroding power of the elements, and the passing of time. Her pieces are exhibited internationally and included in prestigious museums and private collections. 

Visitors will be able to book a place on curated tours, attend makers’ taster workshop sessions and sign up to a variety of insightful talks online. Five Cockpit makers will be sharing their projects in The Big Make, documenting the creation of their new pieces from start to finish throughout the Festival.

Annie Warburton, Cockpit Arts CEO, says: “There’s nothing I love more than seeing the delight on visitors’ faces as they discover this magical place for the first time and get immersed in its creative vitality. That’s why it’s been so hard being closed to the public over 18 long months – and why we’ve planned something very special for reopening for our Summer Festival this June. I’m tremendously proud that Cockpit has put our community first and supported 150 small businesses through those tough times. Join us this summer to celebrate the power of creativity to bring people together. We can’t wait to see you.”

Further information Dates: 
Holborn: 25–27 June
Deptford: 2–4 July

Studio opening times: Friday – 12-8pm; Saturday & Sunday – 12-6pm
Online: 21 June-4 July
Addresses: Holborn – Cockpit Yard, Northington Street, London WC1N 2NP; Deptford – 18-22 Creekside, London SE8 3DZ
Tickets: Entry is free but tickets must be pre-booked via the Cockpit Arts website