Art and Literature
Lewes is home to many artists, designers, independent art galleries, writers and poets. Regular events include the annual Artwave Festival each September with work displayed from artists all over the area. The Charleston Festival in May attracts many well known writers, artists and speakers as does the Lewes Speakers Festival. Charleston in Firle was once home to the Bloomsbury Set (link is to BBC article on how the Bloomsbury Set unbuttoned Britain). Lewes now has a Charleston Gallery in the town with regular exhibitions and events. Find out more below. We will be covering exhibitions at Galleries and other venues across the town. Get in touch if you’d like to be included.
Latest Art & Literary Posts (see Blog for all posts)
Lewes Creatives
A collective of talented artists & makers with regular exhibitions. Their website has links to individual artists and you can sign up to hear about future exhibitions. Lewes Creatives.
Galleries in Lewes
Chalk Gallery
Chalk Gallery is an artist run gallery offering affordable fine art, original printmaking, glass and ceramics. Chalk Gallery is devoted to promoting the artists and their work rather than for profit.
Charleston in Lewes
Two current exhibitions running to March 2025: ‘Collecting Modernism: Pablo Picasso to Winifred Nicholson‘ and ‘Grayson Perry: A Temple for Everyone‘. For details and to book tickets see website.
Meiklejohn Gallery
Meiklejohn Gallery is an exciting exhibition space for emerging and established artists running a diverse programme, exhibiting solo and group exhibitions of contemporary craft, print, sculpture and paintings.
Star Pottery
Mohamed Hamid and his associates produce a range of handmade, high quality tableware, an extensive range of personalized items and offer a wide range of pottery courses. Workshops are also run for children. Star Pottery for details
The Sussex Guild
Set in an imposing Elizabethan house overlooking Grange Gardens, this lovely shop sells fine contemporary craft, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, woodwork, printmaking, textiles, metalwork, glassware and more. View online shop
Star Brewery Gallery
Star Brewery Gallery has a history of hosting exhibitions by local, regional, national and international artists and of showcasing both established artists and up-and-coming talented artists, photographers and makers.
The Artwave Festival
runs in September each year where local artists display their work in venues in and around Lewes.
To find out more or to sign up to be in the next Festival, see website – Artwave
Art Trails from Lewes and along the South Coast
Art lovers can stay in Lewes and visit local galleries as well as taking in well known art galleries just outside Lewes. The coastal train route from Lewes takes you along by the sea to Eastbourne (Towner Gallery) Eastbourne, Bexhill (the iconic building and gallery at De La Warr) and Hastings (Hastings Contemporary). Also in easy reach from Lewes, but by car, is Charleston in Firle, Farleys House and Gallery in Chiddlingly (home and work of Roland Penrose and Lee Miller and with an exhibition on the film “Lee” starring Kate Winslett.
The Artists & Makers Fair
Artists & Makers was set up in 2003 by a Western Road parent and local artist who wanted to raise money for arts in the school. They have gone from strength to strength ever since, now occupying a prominent place in the Lewes social calendar – usually running just before Christmas.
Bookshops in Lewes
Skylark combines a bookshop with an art gallery in The Needlemakers. Unique stoneware pottery, stunning jewellery and limited edition prints inspired by the Sussex landscape. Browse or buy online too.