Join us in Oxford this July for a week of celebration, conversation and connection
Alongside the evolving exhibition, Skilled. Seen. will host a small public programme of gatherings, demonstrations and conversations bringing together makers, students, educators, employers, industry partners and the wider public.
Taking place at Fusion Arts, 15 Park End Street, Oxford, the programme is designed to reflect the spirit of the exhibition itself: welcoming, maker-centred, and rooted in connection. Across the week, we’ll gather around the table, show the people behind the work, create space for professional exchange, and invite the public to experience the exhibition, meet the makers and inspire the next generation of woodworkers.
All events are free but some are ticketed, while our Saturday Open Day is open to everyone with no booking required.
Tuesday 14 July, 6pm–8pm
Makers Meet dinner
Free, get your ticket here
For all makers and allies
We begin on Tuesday evening with a Makers Meet dinner: an informal gathering of makers, students, educators, supporters and allies from across the heritage woodworking and furniture-making community.
This will be a potluck-style meal with facilitated conversation, creating space to share food, ideas, experiences and questions around making, visibility, belonging and the future of the sector. We invite guests to bring a dish, snack or drink to share if they can, though there is no pressure for this to be anything elaborate.
Our Makers Meet is a safe space inviting women, trans and non-binary makers of all skill levels, those who champion them, or wants to be part of a more supportive and connected woodworking community.
Wednesday 15 July, 6pm–8pm
Woodworking demonstrations
Free, get your ticket here
Open to all
Wednesday evening is dedicated to craft demonstrations: a chance to see a range of woodworking skills and techniques in action.
This session will showcase different approaches to making and offer visitors the opportunity to learn more about the processes behind the objects in the exhibition. From hand skills to specialist techniques, the evening is intended to open up the world of woodworking to a wider audience in an accessible and welcoming way.
Whether you are already a maker or simply curious about woodwork, furniture making and heritage skills, this is an opportunity to see how things are made up close and meet some of the people behind the work.
Friday 17 July, 5pm–8pm
VIP private launch evening
Free, get your ticket here
For makers, industry, education and invited guests
On Friday evening, we will host the private launch of Skilled. Seen.
This event brings together exhibitors, invited makers, educators, employers, industry partners and supporters for a first look at the exhibition in its full form. It is a chance to view the work, meet contributors, celebrate the opening of the exhibition and make connections across the sector.
The evening is intended as both a celebration and a professional gathering: a space where conversations can happen between makers at different stages of their careers and those shaping pathways into the industry.
Saturday 18 July, 11am–5pm
Open day
No booking required
Open to all
Saturday is the main public day of Skilled. Seen.
The exhibition will be open throughout the day, alongside a programme of short talks, panels and meet-the-maker moments. Visitors are invited to explore the work on display, hear from contributors, and join wider conversations about skill, visibility, professional pathways and the future of furniture making.
This is an open and welcoming day for anyone interested in making, craft, furniture, heritage skills, design, education or inclusion in the trades. No ticket is required — just come along!
Booking information
Please book a free ticket for our Tuesday Makers Meet, Wednesday Woodworking Demonstrations and Friday VIP Launch evening so we can manage numbers and make sure the space works well for everyone.
Saturday’s open day does not require booking.
We’d love to welcome you to Oxford this July.
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