Dorset Arts Festival

About Us

Dorset Arts Festival is a brand new three-day outdoor festival showcasing the best artists and makers in the county, being held at the glorious location of Sculpture by the Lakes near Dorchester from July 3 - July 5.

More than 40 artists and crafters from across Dorset will be exhibiting over the three days, with a number of workshops and demonstrations taking place. Artists will be creating on-site in individual temporary studios allowing visitors to watch from a safe distance, while artists will be setting up their easels at spots across the picturesque location.
Guests can expect to watch paintings being created, pots being thrown, jewellery being made and a whole range of other arts and crafts disciplines.
Event organisers are internationally renowned sculptor Simon Gudgeon with his wife Monique, co-owners of Sculpture by the Lakes. This is a 26-acre gallery under the skies where more than 30 of Simon's pieces are installed within spectacular gardens maintained by Monique and a team of gardeners. They are confident that a strict visitor cap and crowd control, along with social distancing easily afforded by the vast 26-acre outdoor venue, will mean visitors, exhibitors and staff stay safe.

Simon, who has a long history of supporting and celebrating fellow artists, featuring their work in The Barn Gallery and The Gallery Cafe at Sculpture by the Lakes, said:
"Dorset Arts Festival will be a true celebration of Dorset's expansive artistic talent. All of the artists exhibiting are incredibly talented and you'll be able to watch them in action creating their masterpieces, which is not something you get to see everyday. We hope the festival will bring some welcome relief to those looking for an uplifting experience away from the crowds."