“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls”
Pablo Picasso
Every March, the arts come to Penistone and paint the town with music, drama, art, literature, comedy and entertainment and so much more.
This celebration of the arts brings people together to appreciate art in its many forms through interactive workshops, live performances, exhibitions, film and informative talks providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents.
With so much to do, Penistone is THE destination to be, so make sure you make Penistone your destination in March!
POPPIES WITH PURPOSE
But this year we’re doing something extra special with an event in support of Remembrance Day raising funds for RBL Poppy Appeal and St John’s Church Roof Fund.
The response so far has been genuinely inspiring, with more than 45 artists, makers, musicians, filmmakers and creatives of all kinds already expressing an interest in taking part. What’s becoming clear already is that this won’t simply be an exhibition — it will be a creative community response to remembrance, reflection, peace and hope.
The exhibition is planned to run from Monday 2nd until Saturday 14th November, transforming St John’s Church into a vibrant and immersive creative space filled with colour, texture, music, storytelling and art.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase artwork and handmade pieces throughout the exhibition.
We’d also love to hear from community groups, hobbyists, schools, children’s groups and anyone who can help us “dress” the church. We even have super easy poppy knitting patterns for you!
Find out more about how you can get involved in this exciting exhibition by clicking: POPPIES WITH PURPOSE.
2026 WAS WOW!
With an incredible 77 events 2026 Arts Week was an amazing time for Penistone and our events were so well supported by the public with brilliant audiences and participation. Take a look at 2026 EVENTS.
OUR HIGH STREET BECOMES AN ART GALLERY
One of our most popular events brings the High Street to life as shops and cafés — and much of the town — generously lend their windows to local artists. Each year new artists join in and 2026 saw over 40 artists across 40 venues, with the town erupting into a joyful riot of colour, creativity and imagination.
Meet the artists taking part HERE.
GET CREATIVE – WHERE ART MEETS ITS MATCH
Every year Penistone Arts Collective and Penistone Royal British Legion host the Penistone Landscape Artist of the Year En Plein Air Art Competition. Participants battle the elements to create a piece of art on the day of Penistone, in Penistone. Why not join in 2027 and see what you can create of our glorious town and its stunning countryside.
Click here to see 2026 winners: PENISTONE LANDSCAPE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2026.
Click here to view our 2025 winners: ‘ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2025’ EN PLEIN AIR ART COMPETITION.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE: Supporting Children Through Art, Literacy & Health
Penistone Arts Week is supporting Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity – Pride of Yorkshire by buying a lion cub sculpture – raising funds for the hospital – which will tour the region before coming home to one local school.
Schools are invited to take part in the Pride of Place competition, giving pupils the chance to design artwork that will be painted onto the cub during Penistone Arts Week (19–29 March)—a unique opportunity to be part of a high-profile public art project.
Running alongside this, our Lion Book Trail offers schools and families a fun way to engage with reading and creativity, with 20 clues around town and prizes of £50 in book tokens, plus an extra £10 through participating schools.
Together, these projects give schools the chance to celebrate creativity, literacy and community pride while supporting an incredible children’s charity. Ask your school to get involved.
Find out more here: Supporting Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s PRIDE OF YORKSHIRE
STORY TIME COMES TO PENISTONE
Our much-loved Children’s Book Trail returns this March, bringing stories, imagination and plenty to keep children happily entertained. This year we’re keeping the theme of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s Pride of Yorkshire by going on safari, following the paw prints around town with 20 clues based on books featuring Lions.
More details HERE.
ARTISTS BEHIND THE SCENES
A dedicated team of artists make Penistone Arts Week possible each year through fundraising. This year they went above and beyond — creating 24 beautiful artworks for the 2026 calendar, then generously donating and auctioning prints of the same to raise over £750 for St John’s Church roof fund.
You can find out more about the Penistone Arts Collective HERE.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
As an integral part of the Penistone Literary Festival and a former English Teacher, Chrissie Yates has always had an interest in the arts so it came naturally to her when she decided to form Penistone Arts Week along with a passionate committee.
Find out how it started HERE.
GET IN TOUCH TO STAY IN TOUCH
As a volunteer run community event, we’re always looking for help. Email us at penistoneartsweek@gmail.com if you’d like to take part in any element of Penistone Arts Week or use our contact form HERE.
MAKE PENISTONE YOUR DESTINATION THIS MARCH & EVERY MARCH
Penistone, a charming rural market town nestled to the West of Barnsley and North West of Sheffield, radiates a vibrant community spirit. On the edge of the Peak District and set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pennines, it boasts a stunning and historic landscape that ignites creativity and passion in our talented community.
THANK YOU PENISTONE
As a volunteer run, social enterprise, Penistone Arts Week relies on the generosity of local businesses and people and we’d like to thank everyone who supports us and gets involved. We can’t thank everyone, but some go above and beyond and we’d like to give special thanks to these.