CLOSE Coronavirus update: click here for the changes we’re making to ensure a safe and welcoming campus West Dean College Open or close navigation Home About 50th Anniversary 50 years championing arts, craft, and conservation In October 1971 West Dean College opened as a centre for the study of conservation, arts, crafts, writing, gardening and music offering students the chance to learn new skills and discover new passions through both full-time and short courses. The College was founded by Edward James, poet, patron of the arts and visionary of the 20th century. James donated his family home and estate to fulfil this desire to nurture music, traditional crafts, and the fine arts. In 1939 James wrote of his vision to Aldous Huxley “My suggestion would be to make this community a group of people working to preserve and teach certain crafts.” This legacy lives on today. Our community includes artists, makers, musicians, conservation professionals and writers at all levels who share a common love of creating. Whether that is piecing together a historically significant ceramic plate to conserve it for future generations, producing artwork to push boundaries and challenge convention, learning the skills to change career, or simply to spend time immersed in craft. Join the 50th anniversary celebrations: Try a heritage craft on one of 50 special one day short courses. Be inspired by artwork from over 140 members of our community in our online and onsite exhibition. Discover our history through the new online collection and archive (launching soon). Look out for a special open house and summer show event in 2022. 50 short courses Starting with a series of short courses in 1971, including weaving, carving in wood and stone, and silversmithing, the College has maintained excellence in crafts education ever since. We are delighted to announce 50 special one day short courses inspired by the heritage crafts and traditional skills envisioned by Edward James 50 years ago. SEE ALL 50TH ANNIVERSARY COURSES Onsite photo exhibition During the summer we invited everyone who has studied at West Dean College to share their experience of learning here through a single image and short description. We are thrilled to present over 140 varied and personal responses which we are immensely proud to have contributed to. The display is now available to see in the kiwi/passionflower glasshouses in West Dean Gardens. Access is by visiting the Gardens and purchasing tickets online in advance. VISIT THE PHOTO EXHIBITION Online photo exhibition If you aren't able to visit just yet or would like to preview the exhibition before you arrive, the submissions for our exhibition are now available to browse online. Read the stories behind the photos and learn more about the artists, makers and conservators. You can also follow us on social media via #WestDeanCollege50. VISIT OUR ONLINE EXHIBITION Online Collection and Archive New online access to the West Dean College Collection and Archive will launch soon, offering a rich resource for researchers and artists alike. Sign-up to our e-newsletters to hear when the Online Collection and Archive is available to view. SIGN-UP TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER West Dean College The Edward James Foundation Limited Charity number: 1126084 Company number: 6689362 Twitter Facebook Instagram Pinterest Linkedin YouTube QUICK LINKS Degrees and diplomas Short courses School of Conservation School of Arts West Dean Gardens West Dean Venues West Dean Tapestry Studio Events Find us Media About us Work for us Support Foundation Information Accessibility Privacy Cookies Canvas VLE Alumni Website by D3R © 2021 West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, part of the Edward James Foundation Limited. All rights reserved. The Gardens Shop and Restaurant are part of West Dean Ltd, Company number 1363911, registered address: West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ. We use cookies for essential functionality, to offer you a better browsing experience and to understand more about how people use our site. View Preferences ACCEPT