Staithes Festival of Arts & Heritage has established itself as one of the friendliest festivals on the Yorkshire coast — a must-see weekend in the regional arts calendar.
Step inside a village like no other as the doors of cottages are thrown open, transforming Staithes into a trail of pop-up art galleries showcasing painting, print, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, photography and more.
Alongside the open studios, enjoy a programme celebrating Staithes’ rich history and heritage, including walks, talks, photographs and film shows.
Location: Staithes — 11 miles north of Whitby (TS13 5BH)
Contact: info@staithesfestival.com
Photo: Duncan Lomax
Jane is a self taught artist and jeweller living and working in Staithes. Her intricate papercuts ( hand cut with a scalpel ) and seaglass jewellery are inspired by the coast and the nearby moors.
Venue: 91 Staithes Lane, Staithes
Medium: Seaglass Jewellery/ Papercuts
I interpret the natural world using watery mediums. Using bold colours, an immersive perspective and a scientifically-accurate depiction of marine life, I create contrast with semi-abstract and fluid environments. I experiment with traditional watercolour approaches creating a contemporary feel. Using different approaches I enhance my subjects with texture, and I let the watery paints/inks drive the creation of my backgrounds. I am a marine biologist, palaeontologist and artist who is inspired by the complexities of life in the ancient and present-day oceans. I’m seeking to highlight nature’s subtle and everyday beauty, tell nature’s stories and reveal some of its secrets.
Venue: Granary Yard, Garage Studio Beckside
Medium: Watercolour and mixed media artist
Fiona Mazza is a ceramic artist living in Yorkshire over the years has developed numerous skills through making, teaching and technician work. The core of the work is based on nature, particularly the amazing butterfly world. However, Fiona enjoys the challenge of designing and making individual pieces using many techniques, this allows her to explore clay in many areas. Ceramic Pieces are produced in various techniques, she loves incorporating different materials, often working with other craft makers to produce truly different pieces of work. Fiona loves exploring the surface of the pot, using the surface like a canvas, pushing the material to its limits, often representing the natural world’s challenges from man's impact.
Venue: Annies cottage 6 northside staithes TS13 5BY
Medium: ceramics
I am a ceramic artist whose work over the past decade has focused on celebrating British wildlife. Working primarily in rich red earthenware clay, I create pieces defined by heavily textured surfaces and restrained surface decoration I frequently present works in pairs, encouraging interaction between forms. This approach imbues each piece with a dynamic sense of energy and movement, expressed through gesture and composition. My practice seeks to capture both the inherent wildness of my subjects and their underlying vulnerability
Venue: Kindly Light Wessley Chapel Square Staithes TS13 5BA
Medium: Ceramic Sculpture
The Curious Closet is the brainchild of fashionista and eco warrior Angie Coburn. Angie creates sustainable slow fashion one-off garments making use of vintage and preloved textiles. Angie is inspired by her travels and is constantly creating unique & inspirational slow fashions. Her latest range is her version of the traditional fishing smock.
Venue: Viking cottage, Seaton Garth
Medium: Sustainable fashion designer
Staithes Candle Co is a small coastal business based in a 300-year-old fisherman’s store, right here in Staithes on the North Yorkshire coast. We hand-pour small-batch candles and home fragrance using coconut and rapeseed wax and pure essential oils, with no synthetic fragrance oils. Inspired by sea air, moorland walks and slower living, our range includes candles, reed diffusers, pillow sprays, magnesium sleep balm, bath salts, tallow body cream, body oils and simple self-care essentials. Everything we make is rooted in the village and designed to bring a little Staithes calm into your home.
Venue: Fishermans Store Beckside
Medium: Aromatherapy Self-Care Products
Traditional and abstract seascape paintings and studies in acrylic. Atmospheric and moody, bold and tranquil. Prints and cards available.
Venue: Kindly Light, Wesleyan Chapel, Chapel Yard
Medium: Landscape painter
I am a North Yorkshire artist and teacher of art for all abilities. I paint the coast and countryside where I live and visit. I take commissions, sell original works, prints and art courses.
Venue: Beckside Cottage, Northside, Cowbar TS13 5BY
Medium: Oil, wax landscapes
I make rag rugs from old pure wool blankets and yarn using three main traditional techniques - proddy, hooking and peg loom weaving. I collect old rug making tools to use and sell with other vintage textile treasures. I will also be stocking pure wool yarns and fabrics from Yorkshire and Scotland. I have been a member of Staithes Arts and Crafts group for many years.
Venue: Sealey Cottage, High Barrass
Medium: Textiles & vintage
Artist and Architectural Illustrator, Emma works primarily in Acrylic, taking inspiration from the local countryside and industrial landscapes of the area
Venue: Shared space at St Peter’s Centre
Medium: Acrylic painter
Sarah creates immersive seascapes that blur the lines between memory and place. Bold palette knife work, sweeping gestures of colour, her paintings capture the emotional weight rather than literal details of a landscape. Approaching each canvas intuitively; colour, movement and emotion guide the composition, resulting in work that evokes solitude, power and the quiet poetry of the natural world. Light plays a central role, emerging as a luminous break through clouds or reflections across water, suggesting moments of calm within turbulence. Sarah’s paintings invite viewers not just to observe a scene, but to feel it.
Venue: Seacrest Cottage 3 Barrass Square
Medium: Oil Painter
Lighthouse Crafts selects local hardwoods which are then turned on a wood lathe. The range includes bowls, pens, bottle openers and stoppers. Also a range of crafters items including a quick unpick, bradawl and interchangeable crochet hooks, all with balanced handles which make them easy to use
Venue: Staithes Museum
Medium: Wood Turning
Hiya, I’m Lucie and I love to create art that makes me happy through a variety of media😊
Venue: Venus Cottage, High Street
Medium: Quirky poster art
I am a self-taught needle felt artist creating unique 3D sculptures using a variety of wool fibres. Alongside my original pieces, I also create bespoke pet commissions, I exhibit my work in local art venues and craft fairs and I also enjoy sharing my skills through workshops whenever I can.
Venue: Flither cottage, High Street
Medium: Needle Felt Artist
Peter and Anita are self-taught fluid artists who started their art adventure during the Covid pandemic to relieve the pressure and tension of their jobs working at the local NHS hospital. Their passion is now an outright obsession producing beautiful, interesting and unique artworkon different surfaces using various techniques.
Venue: Coastguard Cottage, High Street, Staithes
Medium: Fluid Art
Living in the North East and now working inland by the river Tees, my handmade jewellery and gifts combine the beauty of sterling silver with the warmth of recycled copper. Being continually drawn outdoors into our wonderful area, I am often inspired by natures textures, imperfections and asymmetry. By hammering, melting and recycling, I am able to produce unique, tactile pieces, as nothing is cast, every piece is carefully formed, marked and stamped by my own hand.
Venue: Chapel Garth
Medium: Silver/Copper Jewellery
My name is Jennifer Creek. I have enjoyed dressmaking and embroidery all my life. In Staithes Museum, I sell jackets, aprons and bags made from ethnic textiles and natural fibres.
Venue: Staithes Museum, High Street
Medium: Dress Maker