The winners of the Sussex Craft Awards 2026 were revealed at Newlands House Gallery in Petworth on 2 July, celebrating three exceptional makers whose work reflects the brilliance of craft practice across Sussex.
Organised by ROSA Magazine in partnership with West Dean and supported by Wealden District Council and Newlands House Gallery, the Sussex Craft Awards were established in 2025 to champion the county’s thriving community of makers and recognise outstanding achievement in contemporary and heritage craft.
This year’s awards attracted nominations from across Sussex’s creative community, with a judging panel selecting twelve finalists whose work is on display in the exhibition Sussex Craft Awards 2026: The Finalists at Newlands House Gallery until 20 July..
The exhibition brings together an impressive range of practices spanning ceramics, textiles, wood, metalwork, basketry, glass, jewellery and mixed media, offering a snapshot of the innovation and craftsmanship currently flourishing across the region.
The winners were announced during an evening reception attended by more than 60 guests, with speeches from Nicola Jones, Director of Newlands House Gallery; Melanie Powell, Senior Economic Development and Culture Officer at Wealden District Council; curator Dr Loucia Manopoulou; and ROSA editor Alex Leith. Guests enjoyed Sussex sparkling wine from Artelium Wine Estate alongside canapés by The Hungry Guest.
Sussex Craft Awards 2026 Winner: Caron Penney
The overall Sussex Craft Award was presented to master weaver Caron Penney, co-founder of Atelier Weftfaced. Penney’s intricate handwoven works explore the possibilities of structure, pattern and material, demonstrating both technical mastery and a contemporary sensibility rooted in textile traditions.
As the overall winner, Penney receives a solo exhibition at Newlands House Gallery.
The ROSA Prize: Ellen Rose Svenningsen
The ROSA Prize was awarded to furniture maker Ellen Rose Svenningsen, whose practice centres on the use of unseasoned local timber. Her pieces move fluidly between functional object and sculptural form, combining an intuitive understanding of material with a distinctive visual language.
The prize includes a future cover artist slot and an in-depth feature in ROSA Magazine.
The Sussex Craft Heritage Craft Prize: Studio AMOS
The Heritage Craft Prize was awarded to Studio AMOS, whose basketry and weaving practice uses natural and home-grown materials to create sculptural woven forms that connect contemporary making with traditional craft processes.
The award recognises excellence in heritage skills and provides future exhibition opportunities.
The winners were selected by an expert judging panel comprising curator Dr Loucia Manopoulou; Sarah Hughes and Tabatha Andrews from West Dean’s Art and Contemporary Craft programme; ROSA Art Director Rowena Easton; Corina Fletcher, co-founder of The Makers Directory; James Stewart of Zimmer Stewart Gallery; and James Matthew Thomas, Director of Hastings Craft Weekend.
Jessica Wood, Publisher of ROSA Magazine and Co-Director of Sussex Craft Week, said: “Sussex is one of Britain’s leading centres for contemporary craft. The finalists demonstrated an extraordinary standard of making, and the winners exemplify the creativity, dedication and craftsmanship that these awards were established to recognise.”
Dr Loucia Manopoulou added: “It was a privilege to curate and contribute to the Sussex Craft Week Award Exhibition at Newlands House Gallery once again. It is a true celebration of the exceptional talent, skill and craftsmanship that define Sussex’s vibrant creative community. The calibre of work on display never fails to amaze me. A huge congratulations to everyone involved, and especially to the award winners.”
The Sussex Craft Awards form part of Sussex Craft Week’s wider mission to champion makers, and strengthen Sussex’s reputation as a national centre for excellence in craft.
The 2026 Finalists
Anna Chocola, Barbara Gittings, Cara Wassenberg, Caron Penney, David Rhys Jones, Ellen Rose Svenningsen, Holly Dawes, Jenifer Corker, Jubal Prevatte, Stephanie Smart, Studio AMOS and Kas Williams.
About Sussex Craft Week
The second edition of Sussex Craft Week took place from 20–28 June 2026, bringing together more than 400 makers across over 70 events throughout East and West Sussex. The festival included exhibitions, open studios, craft courses, studio safaris and marketplace events, alongside the introduction of two dedicated Craft Towns in Arundel and Alfriston.
Curated by ROSA Magazine, Sussex Craft Week continues to position Sussex as one of the UK’s most exciting regions for contemporary and heritage craft.
The exhibition Sussex Craft Awards 2026: The Finalists remains open to the public at Newlands House Gallery until 20 July, with free admission.