Welcome to Ditchling Museum. The downland setting and rural way of life inspired artists including Eric Gill, Edward Johnston, David Jones, and Ethel Mairet to settle in Ditchling in the early years of the 20th Century. The international recognition that followed, as a centre for print, calligraphy, weaving and other crafts, is reflected in the Museum's permanent collection, and the programme of exhibitions and educational events.
Families are especially welcome to follow the free Art Explorer Trail, find the new 'Evan Gill' Explorer Seat with activities such as reading, playing with a puppet - or why not do a portrait to go up on the museum wall!
We run lectures, workshops and events throughout the year – please go to Education to download further information.
New displays for the year include works from the Ginnett Collection as well as further works by David Jones.
Ditchling History Project’s display is In Memoriam: History and Design in a Village Churchyard based on research carried out in St Margaret’s Churchyard where lettering by Eric Gill and Joseph Cribb can be seen.
14 March – 13 December 2009
This year's exhibition is of portraits taken from the museum's Collection and celebrates the people who have lived in Ditchling and the artists who have drawn or painted them. The show includes paintings and drawings, caricatures and photograph and explores the genre of portraiture by including word and film portraits.
Works included are drawings Eric Gill, and engravings by Edgar Holloway as well as the opportunity to see a selection of drawings and paintings by Louis Ginnett of his family. Also on display are a selection of rhyme sheets printed by St Dominic’s Press that delineate types like 'The Doctor' 'The Dressmaker'. We are also showing the 21st century filmed portrait 'A Very English Village', first shown on BBC4, by Luke Holland which documents life and changes in the village.