Benow Festival 2025: Get Hands-On with Craft, Creativity & Community!

Falmouth Art Gallery is bringing back Benow Festival for 2025, offering a packed four-day programme celebrating women and gender-diverse makers. Running from Wednesday 5th – Saturday 8th March 2025, the festival showcases craftsmanship, creativity, and the importance of making in community and sustainability.

With a mix of hands-on workshops, discussions, and creative showcases, the festival provides a unique chance to learn from expert makers—many at highly subsidised rates.

Workshops & Events

For those wanting to try something new, the festival’s ticketed workshops come at a fraction of their usual cost. Spaces are limited, so early booking is advised.

Evening Events: Hands-On Crafting

📍 Council Chamber, 17:00 – 19:00

• Radical Stitching: Craftivism Workshop (FREE drop-in) – Wednesday 5th March
  Explore the power of craftivism with Make-a-Mends in a hands-on session covering seditious pockets and subversive stitches. Open to ages 16+—no booking required.

• Brushmaking Taster Workshop (£30) – Thursday 6th March
  Learn traditional brush-binding techniques with Ellie Birkhead, crafting your own brush using natural and repurposed materials. Open to ages 16+—advance booking required.

• Lino Printing Workshop (£10) – Friday 7th March, 17:00 – 20:00
  Led by Hannah from Submerge Art, this session covers the basics of lino printing, allowing participants (12+) to carve and print their own designs. Spaces are limited—booking required.

Saturday 8th March: A Full Day of Creativity

📍 Falmouth Art Gallery, 10:00 – 20:00

• Cast Hands Sculpture Workshop (£10) – 11:00 – 16:00
  Artist Katri Paakkari will guide attendees in creating plaster casts of their hands, an intimate exploration of sculpture. Open to all ages (under 16s must be accompanied). Booking required.

• FREE Drop-In Clay-Play – 10:00 – 17:00
  A relaxed, all-ages clay workshop—no experience necessary!

• FREE Drop-In Crafting & Refreshments – 10:00 – 17:00
  Enjoy a day of crafting in the Council Chamber, with complimentary Fairtrade tea and coffee.

Women Makers: Craft & Community Round Table

📍 Gallery, 17:30 – 20:00 (£3 entry – booking required)

This live discussion brings together artists, engineers, and craftspeople to explore sustainability, innovation, and the future of traditional skills.

Speakers include:
✔ Ellie Birkhead – Craft researcher and maker
✔ Katri Paakkari – Artist and sculptor
✔ Nicola Ibbotson – Marine Engineering Lecturer, Falmouth Marine College
✔ Millie Rogers – Engineering apprentice, Pendennis Shipyard
✔ Angela Firth – Willow artist and basket weaver, Bojorrow Baskets

Join the Celebration of Creativity

Benow Festival is an annual highlight celebrating women’s culture and creativity. Whether you’re looking to learn from expert makers, take part in hands-on workshops, or join in thought-provoking discussions, there’s something for everyone.

🎟 Tickets are on sale now! Visit the Falmouth Art Gallery website for booking details.

📍 Falmouth Art Gallery, 5th–8th March 2025