What’s On December 2025: Members’ News
Welcome to the December issue of our blog sharing where you can find our talented members in exhibitions, giving talks or running workshops both online and in the real world. With Christmas coming up, some of our members are taking part in festive fairs and open studios which offer shoppers the chance to support small businesses, meet the makers and buy one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family this Christmas.
Exhibitions & Events:
‘Summer 2022 Part 1’ by Catherine Hill was selected for Calderdale Open 2025 at Smith Art Gallery, Halifax Road, Brighouse, Yorkshire from 5th July – 6th December 2025. The exhibition’s theme is ‘Nature’.
Anne Amosford was selected for RWA 172 Open at Royal West of England Academy, Bristol until 28th December 2025. Open Tues- Sun 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Jane Riley and Anita Bruce are exhibiting in touring exhibition “Picking up the Thread: the Past Present and Future of Tapestry”; a celebration of Tapestry to mark the 20th year of the British Tapestry Group, featuring 69 artists from nine different countries. Currently in Dovecot Studios, until the 14th February 2026 followed by The Market Hall, Devonport 2nd - 18th March 2026 Morley Gallery, London 13th - 25th July 2026.
Jane Riley is exhibiting in “Tapestry of the North - Our Textile Heritage” at Farfield Mill, Sedburgh until 21st of December, featuring work by members of British Tapestry Group North exploring the heritage of textiles. It will tour to museum in Redcar and Halifax in 2026.
Ross Belton is currently showing his sculpture “INVASION” as part of Malton Sculpture Trail in Dalby Forest until 31st May 2026. The Dalby Forest Visitors Centre, Low Dalby, Thornton-Le-Dale, Pickering, YO18 7LT1. 1 is open 1 March - 31 October: 9:30am - 5pm and November - 28 February: 9am - 4pm. The what three word location of “INVASION” in the Dalby Forest as part of the Malton Sculpture Trail is ///free.resold.toasters.
Barbara Phelps is showing in “Fragility”; a mixed media exhibition around the theme of ‘fragility’ from the 10 members of ‘Diversity’ at Riverhouse Barn, Manor Rd, Walton on Thames KT12 2PF from Dec 3rd to Dec 14th - 10am to 4pm with a Meet the Artists event on Sat 6th -12 to 3pm.
“Eat the Rich” by Sally Spinks has been selected for both Miami Art Week 2025 (3-7 Dec) and also at the Venice Biennale for one month in autumn 2026. Miami Art Week, Miami Beach and Venice Biennale, Palazzo Pisani-Reved in Miami 3-7 December 2025 and Venice Autumn 2026 (exact dates TBC). Both exhibitions are part of Social Justice: The Path which is an art piece comprising a grid of 60 artworks by different artists from across the globe. More than just an artwork, Social Justice: The Path is a platform for transformation, designed to make us pause and reflect on the biggest challenges we face and determine what we can do to change our world for the better. It shines a light on critical collective action to help us fight major and interlinked societal issues of our time, specifically climate change and inequality.
Christmas Shopping & Festive Fun:
Annie Taylor is taking part in Whitstable Artists & Makers Trail 29/30th November, 11am to 4pm. A special festive artists open houses/shopping event, with the Whitsparkle parade finishing off the Saturday. Local artists and makers presenting a unique opportunity to buy beautifully hand made gifts direct from the makers.
Nerissa Cargill Thompson will be selling small works and gifts made from recycled clothing at this year’s Festive Winter Fair at the historic Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Manchester, November 30th 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Explore over 50 handpicked stalls from Manchester makers featuring a wide variety of high-quality, handcrafted goods such as art, jewellery, prints, ceramics, Christmas decor, booze, and more. Why not combine with a tour of the building? Entry £4 (under 18s free) // Tour + Entry £10 Guided Tour – 12:30 pm, Choirs from 11:30 am & throughout the day, Tea Room; with festive treats, proper coffee and mulled wine.
Christmas Open Studios and festive weekend at Project Workshops, Lains Farm, Quarley, Andover, Hampshire. SP11 8PX 6th and 7th December , 10-4pm. The artists at Project Workshops (including Prism member and weaver Sharon Kearley) are opening their doors for a weekend of festive cheer. Music, hot food and drink, artwork to view, buy and commission with demonstrations from Sharon Kearley and her looms, glassblowing by Mark Taylor and David Hill, bronze casting at Talos Foundry and artist demo by Amy Goodman.
Penny Maltby is taking part in “Beautiful and Useful fair” at The Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7LB on Sunday 7th December. This festive season the Beautiful & Useful Craft Fair is returning to the Garden Museum with a curated collection of Britain’s best designer-makers selling bold, bohemian and thoroughly beautiful handmade ceramics, textiles, art prints, jewellery, and homewares. Beautiful & Useful offers shoppers the chance to support small businesses, meet the makers and buy one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family this Christmas.
Make Straw Decorations Sunday 7th December 10.30 -12.30pm at The Garden Museum. Penny Maltby from the Ministry of Straw will be leading this fun workshop in how to make a harvest trophy decoration. Using traditional corn dolly techniques and heritage wheat, you will learn how to tie the straw workers’ preferred knot and make a small item such as a love knot to practice your skills. Penny will then show you how to make your harvest trophy in a round or heart shape using the arrow plait and additional wheat heads, all adorned with a ribbon of your choice.
