Surrey Craft Legacies, a New Ashgate Gallery project in 2026, explored stained glass, silver spinning, silk weaving and marionette making. Professional makers shared their specialist knowledge through workshops, films, an exhibition and learning resources. The project was supported through the Community Foundation for Surrey’s Heritage for All programme, made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players.
Surrey Craft Legacies involved 22 professional artists and makers. Ten dedicated workshops provided 27 hours of practical activity and 87 grant-supported participations with participants from the Hale Community Centre, Farnham Library, Farnham Assistant and DAISY, the Disability Arts Surrey, while the summer exhibition at New Ashgate Gallery attracted 1,469 visitors. Fifteen volunteers supported the programme, including 11 students and early-career participants.
Four films have created a lasting record of specialist skills and knowledge. Digital resources and links with Surrey History Centre extend the project beyond the gallery and make its research accessible to future audiences.
Heritage skills as living practice
New Ashgate Gallery’s winter exhibitions continue the theme through contemporary makers whose work draws on established skills and materials. From 14 November, Peter Layton, one of the founding figures of British studio glass, will be the gallery’s Maker in Focus. Sculptor Naomi Beevers’ A Distinctive Flock uses British wool, needle felting, painted fabric and hand stitching. The programme presents heritage craft as living practice: knowledge that continues because professional makers use it, adapt it and pass it on.
Heritage Skills for Wellbeing
This autumn, New Ashgate Gallery is also launching Heritage Skills for Wellbeing, a new community programme funded by Waverley Borough Council. Working with Brightwells Gostrey, Hale Community Centre, 40 Degreez and The Chantries, the programme will connect local communities with heritage craft, creativity, participation and wellbeing. The programme will continue into 2027 and 2028. Further details, including participating artists and activities, will be announced once the programme has been developed with each community partner.
“Heritage craft stays alive when skills remain in people’s hands. That means supporting the professional makers who hold specialist knowledge, while also giving new audiences opportunities to encounter craft, understand it and have a go themselves. The response in 2026 has been striking. Nine in ten people answering our Craft Your Year skills question said they had learnt a new craft skill or knowledge. Farnham gives us an exceptional setting for this work as England’s first World Craft Town. We want heritage skills to remain a living part of the town, connected to contemporary makers and accessible to people of different ages and backgrounds.”
Dr Outi Remes, Gallery Director at New Ashgate Gallery