Leicester’s first ever Artisan Festival will take place from 10.30am to 4pm on Sunday 25th April in the Market Square at Leicester Market.

Sponsored by Dominoes Toys, the free to attend inaugural festival is the first of a series of one-day festivals being held at the market.

Playing host to over 200 stalls promoting and selling collectables, arts and crafts, the free event will also include a range of workshops and practical demonstrations.

Leicester-based Arts and Crafts store Gadsby’s are donating £250 worth of arts and crafts materials for a special competition, in which entrants are being encouraged to design an original piece of artwork depicting Leicester’s iconic market.

In addition to activities and competitions for all age ranges, there will also be a valuation service providing visitors the opportunity to value their hidden treasures.

Inside the ‘Valuation Zone’ will be a number of different stall holders, specialising in their own different fields, including toys and memorabilia, print and books, clocks and watches, and furniture specialists.

Joseph Harkin, Market Development Manager is looking forward to the event:

“After the success of last November’s Food Festival, it was always in our plans to hold a large-scale event, this time drawing upon our local art and crafts communities. I am excited about being part of this new festival that will showcase Leicester’s varied cultural expertise, alongside a great opportunity to purchase some authentic bespoke products.”

You can download an attendee booking pack here

For further information about the Artisan Festival or enquiries call the festival organisers on 0116 223 2371.

List of Events and Timings

Valuation Zone – Throughout the day.

Inside the ‘Valuation Zone’ will be a number of different stall holders, specialising in their own different fields. This will take place throughout the day, but Elliot Nixon, who will be valuing clocks and watches is only available for a couple of hours in the afternoon.

Joe Hand from the Leicester Vintage Old Toy Shop in the Indoor Market will value people’s classic toys.

Stephen Bradley of Maynard & Bradley Bookshop, based in the Royal Arcade Leicester, will be looking at prints and books.

Elliott Nixon, a clock conservator who has undertaken work for the National Trust and many leading Museums around the world will be assessing clocks and watches.

Davis Malpas of Rutland Antiques will be focusing on furniture and general antiques.

Local Dance Groups

WestEnd Dance Academy - 11pm

A fairly new community based company mainly looking at contemporary dance but with sessions on other styles such as Tap, Street Dance and Indian dance.  They meet every Wednesday evening for two hours at the WestEnd Neighbourhood Centre in Leicester. The dance being performed is contemporary based with a hint of street dance.

Studio 79 – 2pm

Studio 79 will perform street/hip hop dance and have performed at various events in Leicester including one leicester and the mela. Their 10-12 year old group and 13- 16 year old group will be attending.

Workshops and Demonstrations

There will be various opportunities for visitors to take a closer look at the techniques used by local artists and craft specialists, including a number of large and small scale practical demonstrations and workshops…

Carol Barnes, a working artist who also delivers wellbeing artwork workshops for the NHS and other local groups will be running the ‘Become an Artisan for the Day’ workshop. This will allow beginners and wannabe artists to contribute towards a giant canvas promoting the therapeutic qualities of art. This will take place at 11.30am.

Lucy Phillips from Leicester Print Workshop will be practising print making techniques.

Dominoes Children’s Art Activity – 12.40pm

Steve Walsh Memorabilia and Autographs – 11am-12pm

Leicester City legend Steve Walsh will be at the market selling some of his sporting memorabilia. Walshy will also be available to sign autographs and pose for photos. Replicas of some of the most sought after trophies in the sporting world will be on the stall, including football’s World Cup and Champions League trophies and cricket’s Ashes Urn.

Utterly Butterfly Ukulele Project performance - 3.20pm

This will provide the opportunity for participants to make their own ukulele from recyclable materials, before learning how to play it and taking part in a live performance.

Gadsby’s Competition Winner Announced – Between 3.30pm and 3.45pm

Design an original piece of artwork depicting Leicester’s iconic Market to win the chance to exhibit at Leicester’s first Artisan Festival and win £250 worth of Arts & Crafts materials courtesy of Gadsby’s of Leicester.

There will also be exhibitions from a number of local art groups and hot and cold refreshments available throughout the day.

* Please not that these timings are not exact and are subject to change.