On Saturday 3 October 2026, the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) will open the doors of its Farnham campus to host the official launch of October Craft Month — a month-long programme featuring more than 140 craft events across the Surrey town. Running from 11am to 3pm, the launch event gathers makers, students, academic staff, and members of the public for a day of hands-on activities, live demonstrations, craft sales, and exhibitions. Drop-in activities and demonstrations are free of charge, making this an accessible starting point for anyone curious about creative crafts, whether as a hobby, a career path, or a lifelong interest.
This guide explains what visitors can expect at the launch, why Farnham holds the title of World Craft Town, what the two October exhibitions at UCA will feature, and how prospective students can connect the month’s celebrations with formal study in creative crafts at the University for the Creative Arts.
A Launch Event Rooted in 170 Years of Creative Practice
The choice of venue is no accident. The University for the Creative Arts has spent 170 years training artists, painters, and makers, and its work has earned international recognition. Generations of craftspeople who shape Farnham’s creative identity today trained or taught on this very campus. Hosting the launch places the university at the centre of a tradition it helped build.
Professor Melanie Gray and Professor Mark Ellul, Joint Vice-Chancellors at UCA, highlighted this connection when announcing the event: “We are delighted to host the launch of October Craft Month at our Farnham campus. With our 170-year history of training artists, painters, and makers and producing beautiful works of international acclaim, the University is proud to be part of Farnham’s ongoing creative heritage. The town is rich with creative craftsmanship, and many of these craftspeople have their roots at UCA.”
For prospective students and their families, the launch offers a rare opportunity to step inside a specialist creative university outside the usual open-day format. You can see the studios, meet the tutors, and observe the standard of work produced there — all while enjoying a community celebration. If you are considering a future in craft or design, this is an ideal moment to see the environment for yourself. Explore what a specialist creative education in the UK can offer and take note of what resonates with you during your visit.
What to Expect at the October Craft Month 2026 Launch
The launch programme is designed to welcome absolute beginners and experienced makers alike. Organisers have structured the day around free drop-in activities, so you can arrive at any point between 11am and 3pm and participate at your own pace.
Hands-On Activities for Every Skill Level
Visitors can try a wide range of craft techniques first-hand. Ceramics, weaving, sketching, and screen printing will all be available, with materials and guidance provided. These sessions remove the intimidation factor that often stops people from trying a new craft. If you have never thrown clay or pulled a screen print, the launch gives you a low-pressure environment to experiment — and to discover whether a particular medium sparks something worth pursuing further.
Demonstrations and Workshops from UCA Tutors
Some of UCA’s talented tutors will lead demonstrations and workshops throughout the day. Watching a skilled practitioner work is one of the fastest ways to understand a craft: you see the decisions, the technique, and the fluency that come from years of practice. For anyone weighing up formal study, these sessions double as an informal preview of how craft is taught at university level — practical, demonstration-led, and grounded in making.
Crafts for Sale and Exhibitions
Beyond the hands-on activities, the launch features crafts for sale, giving visitors the chance to buy directly from makers and take home original work. Craft exhibitions will also be open, showcasing the breadth of contemporary practice connected to the university and the wider Farnham craft community.
Farnham: A World Craft Town with a Living Craft Heritage
Farnham’s status as a World Craft Town is central to October Craft Month. The designation recognises the town’s long-standing commitment to craft, from its historic craft industries to its thriving community of independent makers, studios, and craft organisations. Councillor Kika Mirylees captured what the month means locally: “As a World Craft Town, Farnham is very proud to bring together so many craft organisations and individual makers to launch October Craft Month. It is always the highlight of our craft year, with over 140 events taking place during the month, many of which are free.”
The scale is worth noting. More than 140 events in a single month — ranging from workshops and open studios to talks and exhibitions — means visitors and residents can build a genuine programme of craft experiences throughout October. Many events are free, and the variety spans disciplines from ceramics and glass to textiles and jewellery.
To get the most from the month, review the full October Craft Month brochure in advance and identify the events that match your interests. Browse the listings, mark your calendar early, and share your plans with friends or family so you can attend together. Popular workshops fill quickly, so early planning pays off.
Two Exhibitions to See at UCA Throughout October
Alongside the launch day, the University for the Creative Arts will host two exhibitions that run for the whole of October. Both are free to visit during gallery opening hours of 10am to 5pm, and both offer a deeper look at the thinking behind contemporary craft.
Dialogue
Dialogue will be on display in UCA’s Foyer Gallery. The exhibition brings together works by academic staff, technicians, and Artists in Residence (AiRs), spanning a diverse range of media including ceramics, glass, and jewellery. Exhibitions like this one reveal the professional calibre of the people who teach and support students at UCA. When your lecturers and studio technicians are exhibiting artists in their own right, the learning environment extends far beyond the classroom — you are surrounded by working practitioners.
Harvest Moon
Harvest Moon will occupy the James Hockey Gallery, led by UCA Professors of Architecture Charles Holland and Cat Rossi together with Local Works. The project investigates biomaterials, seasonality, agriculture, and gathering, and centres on a table constructed from harvested materials. An accompanying programme explores what we collect, gather, and give thanks for today. This exhibition demonstrates how craft intersects with architecture, sustainability, and material research — an instructive example for anyone who thinks of craft as disconnected from contemporary debates about the environment and how we live.
Visiting both exhibitions offers a rounded picture of craft practice today: the material intimacy of ceramics, glass, and jewellery on one side, and the research-driven, sustainable-materials agenda on the other. Plan to visit both galleries during October opening hours and allow time to absorb each show properly.
Study Creative Crafts at the University for the Creative Arts
For readers considering turning an interest in craft into a qualification, October Craft Month doubles as an open invitation to explore study options. The University for the Creative Arts offers dedicated craft courses within its wider creative curriculum, taught in an environment built specifically for making. Studio access, specialist equipment, and tutor expertise define the student experience here — and the campus’s role in Farnham’s craft community means students study within a living network of makers, galleries, and events.
A craft degree or related creative programme can lead to careers as a practising maker, gallery or studio work, teaching, arts administration, and roles across the wider creative industries. What distinguishes a specialist institution like UCA is the combination of depth in craft disciplines and breadth across the creative arts, from fine art and fashion to architecture and design.
If October Craft Month sparks your interest, take these practical steps: discover the full range of Crafts courses available at UCA by requesting course information, book your place at an upcoming open day to tour the studios and speak with staff, and request a prospectus so you can compare courses at your own pace. Attending the launch or one of the October exhibitions before applying is also a smart move — it lets you judge the facilities and the work being produced before you commit.
Plan Your Visit: Dates, Times, and Location
Here are the key details for anyone attending in person:
- Launch event: Saturday 3 October, 11am to 3pm, at the University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham, GU9 7DS. The campus sits next to Upper Hart carpark and is close to Waitrose, making it easy to find and access by car or on foot from the town centre.
- Dialogue exhibition: Runs throughout October, 10am to 5pm, Foyer Gallery, University for the Creative Arts.
- Harvest Moon exhibition: Runs throughout October, 10am to 5pm, James Hockey Gallery, University for the Creative Arts.
- Broader programme: Over 140 October Craft Month events take place across Farnham, with many free to attend. Consult the October Craft Month brochure for the complete schedule.
Arrive early on launch day if you want first access to popular activities, and build time into your visit for the exhibitions so you can see student, staff, and resident artists’ work in the same trip.
Practical Tips for Getting the Most from October Craft Month
Approach the month with a plan. Choose two or three craft techniques you want to try at the launch — perhaps ceramics and screen printing — so you can focus rather than drift between activities. Talk to the tutors and makers you meet; they can answer questions about technique, training routes, and careers, and they are used to speaking with people at every stage of their craft journey.
If you are a prospective student, bring a notebook and treat the day as informal research. Note which studios and disciplines attract you, and use that to guide your course enquiries later. If you are a hobbyist or a parent exploring options for a young person, the free drop-in format makes it easy to test interest without financial commitment.
Finally, spread the word. Craft events depend on community attendance, and sharing the events you attend supports the makers and organisations who make October Craft Month possible. Share your experiences in the comments below or with your local networks, and explore our related articles for further reading on studying creative subjects in the UK.
A Month to Connect with Craft
October Craft Month 2026 places the University for the Creative Arts at the heart of one of the UK’s most significant craft celebrations. With a launch event offering free hands-on activities, demonstrations from experienced tutors, crafts for sale, and two exhibitions that run all month, Farnham provides an exceptional environment to engage with creative crafts — whether you are a complete beginner, a committed maker, or someone weighing up formal study.
Have questions about studying creative crafts at UCA or planning your visit to October Craft Month? Write to us and share what you would like to know. Then take the next step: review the course pages, book an open day, and experience Farnham’s craft community for yourself this October.
