🗓️ Saturday 23rd May – Sunday 7th June 2026
Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) is back for another year this spring.
The two-week festival showcases local artists through joint exhibitions, open studios, workshops and community art events.
One of the main highlights is the annual collective exhibition at Rollington Barn, near Corfe Castle, highlighting select works by artists living, working or studying in Purbeck.
The festival has an additional programme of events, which includes concerts, performances and workshops.
“We’re excited to bring another inspiring programme of exhibitions, concerts, talks, open studios, performances, and workshops to Purbeck this year, bringing together the best of local and international talent.
“From stunning visual arts to world-class music performances, Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) continues to celebrate the rich cultural landscape of Purbeck.
“PAW is more than just a festival – it’s a celebration of creativity, community and connection.
“Every year we welcome thousands of visitors to experience the incredible talent in Purbeck, from fine art and ceramics to unforgettable musical performances.
“We are also delighted that The Lulworth Estate will be sponsoring the festival once again this year.”
LAUREL HART Strategic Communications Director, PAW
You can check out the various local galleries across Swanage and Purbeck during the festival, as many get involved in supporting PAW artists too.
Visit the Purbeck Art Weeks website to see who’s exhibiting this year: www.purbeckartweeksfestival.co.uk
Programme of concerts & events (for 2025)
The programme for 2026 is in progress, but internationally acclaimed vocal ensemble I Fagiolini will be giving the opening concert for PAW 2026 with a special 40-year anniversary celebration.
Here’s a look at what happened in 2025:
- Concert: Apollo’s Cabinet: An exploration of 18th Century Baroque theatre music
- Children’s Storytelling Workshop: With author Nick Jubber
- Concert: Palestrina 500: A tribute to Palestrina’s birth, from Grammy award-winning group, Stile Antico
- Singing Workshop: Led by singers from early music vocal ensemble Stile Antico
- Concert & Talk: Handel’s Art & Ensemble Augelletti
- Concert: Love After the Storm: Collection of French cantatas, performed by Sarabande, with Sam Boden, Hilary Cronin & Katie Bray
- Concert: Finnish Mythology through Music: A musical exploration of Finnish mythology by Ensemble Gamut and Aino Peltomaa
- Concert: Cubaroque: A fusion of early and modern Argentinian sounds, with guitarist Toby Carr, lutenist Liz Kenny & tenor Nicholas Mulroy
- Poetry Open Mic Night: At The Legion with Swanage-based poet Martin Hobdell.
- Adults’ Writing Workshop: With author Nick Jubber.
- Coffee Concert: At Encombe House
- Author Talk: With writer Nick Jubber
- Performance: Echoing Air – The Fairy Queen: A picnic performance of Henry Purcell’s semi-opera The Fairy Queen, featuring local primary school students
Find all the latest festival updates on the PAW website.
You can also pick up a brochure or follow the festival on social media: www.facebook.com/PurbeckArtWeeks/
Information for Artists
If you’re an artist and would like to exhibit at Purbeck Art Weeks or open your studio, you can find all the information you need online: members.purbeckartweeksfestival.co.uk
You don’t have to be a professional, working artist. Many members are hobby artists, and PAW is a very friendly and welcoming way to dip your toe in the water at exhibiting. You just need to live, work or study in Purbeck to be eligible to become a member.
The main exhibition at Rollington is ideal for new artists who want to show a limited amount of work, as well as for established artists to showcase their art as a taster before viewers visit your studio.
Studios are often shared between artists, meaning there’s a greater variety of work at one location for your audience, and great mutual support amongst your fellow exhibitors.
Applications are open throughout the month of January, prior to the festival start.
Contact details
The team at PAW are happy to answer any queries via email:
- General enquiries: info@purbeckartweeks.co.uk
- Events enquiries: events@purbeckartweeks.co.uk
- Become a member: membership@purbeckartweeks.co.uk
Follow festival updates on social media: https://www.facebook.com/PurbeckArtWeeks/
