Reading Charity Art & Craft Fair 2025
We are delighted to announce that the Art and Craft Fair will take place again in October 2025 at Leighton Park School.
Thanks to all the exhibitors and members of the public, the majority of the funds raised at the 2024 event helped provide healthy meals for families struggling from food poverty or food insecurity within our local community.
This year the main beneficiaries will be Feeding Communities and the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Feeding Communities, is a project supporting local food banks and food share groups kindly sponsored by the Thomas Frank Foundation.
To date, over £70,000 has been raised in support of local charities.
Latest update 02/10/2025 Entries submission deadline extended to 20/10/2025.
YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION – See details below
Preview evening
Friday 24th October
19.00 –21.30hrs
Free entry
Public
Saturday 25th October
10.00 –17.00hrs
Sunday 26th October
10.00 –16.00hrs
Free entry
Please feel free to make a donation, either on entry to the Fair or by the donation link here.
Young artist competition: Unleash your creativity
Calling all young artists! Get ready to showcase your talent and make a statement about the world around you. We’re excited to announce our Young Artist Competition, open to three age groups: 11 and under, 12-15, and 16-18. FREE ENTRY
Theme: Community
Interpret this theme in your own unique way using watercolor, oils, pencil, or collage. Let your imagination run wild and create something truly amazing! Download our poster
Prizes & Recognition
1st, 2nd, and possibly 3rd prizes in each age category- Commendations for outstanding entries- Winners will receive prizes, and all placed and commended artists will get certificates. Entries will be displayed at the Reading Charity Art and Craft Fair at Leighton Park School.
Entry Details
Maximum size: 20cm x 20cm (backed, but not framed)
Closing date: Monday, October 20th
Click for an entry form
Please return your complete entry form to readingcharityartfair@gmail.com
Delivery details for completed artworks will be sent on receipt of the entry form.
Our judges are part of the local artist community, and we’re excited to see your creative take on the theme. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your talent and get recognised! Get creative, have fun, and show us your artistic side!
The Reading Charity Art & Craft Fair begins in:
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If you love art you will find something to fall in love with at our annual exhibition.
The Reading Charity Art and Craft Fair offers:
- Paintings, ceramics and crafts by local people
- Refreshments, sandwiches and cakes at the Art Cafe
- Charity preview drinks and canapés evening on 24th
- Entry Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025
- First rate venue
- Ample free parking
- Card payments accepted
If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation, you can do so with our Just Giving link.
The Reading Charity Art & Craft Fair will offer artists, ceramicists and craft makers:
- 100s of visitors to the exhibition as potential buyers
- First class display facilities
- High percentage of sales
- Competitive registration fee for exhibitors/stall holders
- Profile package for artists
- The exhibition hall is on one level with excellent natural light
- Refreshments, sandwiches and cakes for sale in the Inner Wheel Art Café
- The main beneficiaries of the Art & Craft Fair will be the RBH Charity and support to local food banks and food share groups.
Event Information
Venue
Leighton Park School
Oakview Centre
Pepper Lane Entrance
Reading
Berkshire, RG2 7DJ
The school is south of Reading town centre, close to Reading University and the Royal Berkshire Hospital. It is conveniently located near several major motorways and ‘A’ Roads, including the M4, A329 (M) and A4. The No 21 bus, which travels to and from the town centre, has a stop directly outside the venue at the Pepper Lane Entrance. Click on the icon at the bottom left of the map to show an aerial view of the grounds and Oakview.
Parking and access
There is lots of free parking space and good access for delivery and collection of exhibits. The exhibition hall is on one level with good access for those with disability or impairment. Please note, the school entrance nearest to the Art & Craft Fair venue is located in Pepper Lane.
Entry Fees and Commission Charges (Entry fees lower than 2024)
Artists
Artists may exhibit up to six framed paintings or browsers.
Small painting
- Under 650mm x 650mm incl frame
Large Painting
- Under 950mm x 950mm incl frame
Browser
- Under 500mm x 400mm
A commission of 25% will be deducted from the sale price of all items sold and this will go to our charities.
Ceramicists and Craft Makers UNDER REVIEW
1 Table
- 2 days + preview evening
1 Half Table
- 2 days + preview evening
A commission of 25% will be deducted from the sale price of all items sold and this will go to our charities.
Download the Art, Ceramics and Craft Entry Form (Now live):
Download the Ceramics and Craft Stock Sales Form (Now live):
Download the Terms and Conditions of Entry (Now live):
Delivery, Collection and Disassembly
Artwork
Delivery to Leighton Park School, Oakview Centre, Pepper Lane Entrance, Reading, Berkshire RG2 7DJ.
Thursday 23 October
10.30 -16:00hrs
Collection of unsold artworks between 17:00 and 18:00hrs on Sunday 26th October.
Ceramics and Craft Tables
Set up of table at Leighton Park School, Oakview Centre, Pepper Lane Entrance, Reading, Berkshire RG2 7DJ.
Friday 24 October
11:00 -15:30hrs
Disassemble table 16:00 –17:00hrs on Sunday 26 October.
Promotion of the Art & Craft Fair
Social media and the internet
Go to Facebook >
Go to Instagram >
Extensive network of voluntary networks across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Art, ceramic and craft maker networks
Site specific placement flyers, posters and banners
Local radio and press
Graphic display promotions
Judging of Art and Craft entries
Visitors will be invited to vote for their preferred artwork or craft table. Voting slips will be available on entry and the results will be announced before the close on Sunday 26th October.
The 2024 Art & Craft Fair exhibits
Below is a selection of entries from the 2024 exhibition (click or tap to enlarge). An innovation in that year was the Tim Thorpe Award for the best painting, as selected by the judges. The award is named after Rotarian Tim Thorpe who has been the leading organiser for three Art and Craft Fairs, including the 2024 exhibition until his untimely death in August of that year.
Preview Evening
Friday 24th October 2025
19:00 – 21:30hrs (ENTRY FREE)
In partnership with the Inner Wheel Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh, we are delighted to invite artists, ceramicists, craft makers, sponsors, friends and guests to a preview evening. Visitors can meet artists, ceramicists and craft makers in a friendly atmosphere whilst enjoying a glass of wine and canapés.
About Us
The Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh has a membership of enthusiastic, fun loving men and women of action who care about local, national and international communities requiring a range of support.
Members enjoy a good social life and form friendships within the club and with many of those receiving their help.
The club has raised over £600,000 for charities, local and international projects since it was formed in 1989. If you would like to hear a detailed description of how we support many different communities, listen to this Podcast
Further information for those seeking to expand their horizons
Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh
Inner Wheel Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh
Beneficiaries of the Reading Charity Art & Craft Fairs
The main beneficiaries of the 2025 Reading Charity Art & Craft Fair will be the RBH Charity and a project supporting local food banks and food share groups.
Previous fairs have benefitted many charities including:
- Food Banks and Food Share Organisations
- Berkshire Hospital Staff Wellness Centre
- Thames Valley Air Ambulance
- Royal Berkshire Charity Faxitron scanner to improve the detection and treatment of breast cancer
- Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice
2024/2025 Sponsors and Supporters – others are welcome this year.
Thank you for the sponsorship and support of the following organisations who are helping us to maximise our support for FEEDING COMMUNITIES. We welcome any company or organisation which would like to support the Art and Craft Fair and in return they will be given recognition here on the website and also at the event. The logos and supporter names below contain live links to their websites. If you would like to sponsor or support the Art and Craft Fair, please contact the Art Fair Administrator by e-mail at readingcharityartfair@gmail.com.
Primary Sponsors in 2025:
