New arts and craft exhibition coming to Ickworth Estate

A new exhibition is opening at the National Trust’s Ickworth Estate which aims to showcase possible heirlooms of the future.

Between August 19 and September 17, visitors will be able to view the Contemporary Heirlooms exhibition in the West Wing Gallery on Thursdays to Sundays.

Working in partnership with Suffolk Craft Society, a local group that supports makers from Suffolk, the exhibition will showcase and celebrate works from around 50 crafters and makers featuring ceramics, furniture, woodturning, textiles and more (pictured above).

There will be talks and demonstrations by exhibitors most days as well as the chance for visitors to have a go themselves on a pre-booked workshop.

The Contemporary Heirlooms exhibition is part of a “Year of Creativity” at Ickworth Estate where the National Trust have been encouraging visitors to get creative across the whole estate.

Ickworth’s founder, the 4th Earl of Bristol (1730–1803), known as the “Earl Bishop” had a vision of Ickworth being a place of great art and inspiration, somewhere for artists to study, particularly those who were unable to travel the continents at the time.

Megan Cartwright, National Trust senior partnerships and programming officer, said” “It’s great to be able to continue the Earl Bishop’s legacy by showcasing new art at Ickworth Estate and we’re pleased to be working with Suffolk Craft Society to put on this great new exhibition. With so many different makers exhibiting there will be a wide range of work to see and visitors will also be able to purchase pieces to take home with them.”

Contemporary Heirlooms is open Thursdays to Sundays between 10am and 4pm. Normal admission charges apply, free for National Trust members. The exhibition will be open daily during Heritage Open Days, September 8 to 17. For more information and to book workshops please visitwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth-estate