Artwave figures reveal festival's creative and economic success

Artists and makers are being invited to showcase their work in Artwave 2025 as last year's attendance and spending figures highlight the 'hugely positive' impact of the festival for Lewes district.

Creatives who wish to exhibit their work in the 2025 festival - which runs from September 6 to 21 - have until Sunday, April 27, to register at www.artwavefestival.org

Last year, Artwave featured the work of more than 1,000 artists and makers across 163 exhibitions, generating over £333,000 in total income for them. The diverse work on show included jewellery, painting, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and photography.

It is estimated that more than 53,000 people visited over the three weeks of the 2024 festival, which has gone from strength to strength since it began in 1993.

As well as being a popular annual event for residents, the flagship visual arts festival funded by Lewes District Council is a gateway for people from farther afield to discover and enjoy Lewes district - with the average visitor spending just under £40on non-artwork items such as food, drink, shopping and accommodation.

Councillor Johnny Denis, Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Leisure, said: "We are very proud of Artwave and the way it supports our brilliant creative community by giving art lovers the chance to discover new work, meet artists and makers, and buy directly from them.

"Alongside this hugely positive creative impact, the festival is also beneficial to the local economy, attracting people to the area who spend money on enjoying all the great things Lewes district has to offer. My thanks to Charlotte Parsons for all her super work in organising Artwave."

According to a report by Artwave organisers, an impressive 98% of visitors in 2024 expressed their intention to return to the festival in the future, highlighting the event's strong appeal.

For more information about Artwave visit www.artwavefestival.org