Call for Applications: Into the Wild ~ Art & Crafts Area

Chiddinglye Estate, Selsfield Road, West Hoathly, East Sussex, RH19 4QS

Friday 22nd - Monday 25th August 2025

Into the Wild are planning on creating the most exciting art and craft field this year at Into the Wild Festival.

Do you want to be part of it?

We will be inviting trusted experts and upcoming new blood to help the area remain fresh, current and contemporary.
We appreciate this is the first year there has been an application process and hope you can make the time to spend on filling out this form.
We endeavour to respond to you promptly but Simon works off-grid so is not always by a computer so thank you in advance for your patience!
We hope this information is practical and clear and assists you in applying to be part of Into the Wild festival this year.

Workshops

This area of the festival will consist of numerous workshop pitches. We will curate and manage the area and our focus is on showcasing craftspeople able to offer workshops in traditional craft skills for adults.

There is a big interest at this festival from families and it is great if you are able to offer workshops to children BUT THEY MUST BE accompanied by an adult AND at your own discretion. You will need to bring everything you need - i.e: operate self-contained, in your own covered space. (Unless you are using the marquee)

Craft workshops need to run from around 10am on Friday, Saturday & Sunday during both the morning and afternoon, an average 6 hours each day.

Pitch appearance
(May not apply to pop-up/ fly pitch/ marquee workshops)

It's really important that your set up is as vibrant, interesting and as good looking as possible. If you are able to bring sculptures, display materials, flags, flowers or anything else you can think of to help create a beautiful space, it'll be greatly appreciated and welcomed. We're aiming for a small, tight good looking area.

Please do demos if you're not busy with workshops to keep the area happening and its important that no vehicles seen on the frontage (please bring drapes etc if you have a see-through pitch) Open sides must be screened if showing any back-of-house.

Shelter & Signage (May not apply to pop-up/ fly pitch/ marquee workshops)

You need to provide your own covered working area, ideally wide & open fronted, which is attractive and inviting with an outside sign showing your group's name/ workshops activity/ times. Prices of workshops should be available and clearly displayed with your pitch

Off-grid

The arts & craft area operates off-grid; there is no access to power. You can use your own wind, solar or people powered power sources, pending H&S agreements. No guarantee is made for space in the sun etc!

Trading

Bookings are made on the understanding that all groups agree to only sell items of craft that you have made yourself and that these sales are secondary to the craft/ workshop/ specialist demonstrations.

Dates

Festival opens Friday 22nd - Monday 25th August

Arrival from Tuesday 19th August 10 - 8pm

Pack up & off site by Tuesday 26th 5pm

Location
Chiddinglye Estate, Selsfield Road, West Hoathly, East Sussex, RH19 4QS

If lost or to find the correct location, it’s best to put in 'The Missing Link brewery' as the destination on your sat nav and check the entrance you are entering the estate is off Selsfield Road NOT Ardingly Road.

The Curator
Simon Summers who is based on the site of Into The Wild on an Iron Age Fort at Chiddinglye, manages the woodland, teaches and runs Volunteer Action Camps around the Celtic festivals throughout the year.

He has been bringing his Iron Age Forge to the craft field at Into The Wild since 2016.

Simon has been teaching and demonstrating his craft within craft fields for 18 years at major events and has worked with expert craft folk around England and Europe. Simon was awarded by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths and is recognised by The Heritage Craft Association.

To Apply

docs.google.com