Ditchling Artists

Ditchling has lured many creatives over the years. Perhaps the most notable were the group of internationally renowned artists and craftspeople who lived in the village at the turn of the 20th century. The museum holds many of their works in its unique collection.

Explore the life of these extraordinary artists below.

Jenny KilBride

As the daughter of Valentine KilBride, Jenny was brought up among members of the Guild of St Joseph & St Dominic.

Louis Ginnett

Louis Ginnet was born on July 24th 1875 into the atmosphere of his father’s circus at one time operating from the old Gaiety Theatre in Lewes Road Brighton.

Ewan Clayton

Ewan Clayton grew up in Ditchling. His family worked as weavers in the Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic.

Hilary Bourne

Hilary Bourne was born in India. She enjoyed a rural childhood at Dumbrell’s preparatory school in Ditchling.

Frank Brangwyn

Guillaume Francois Brangwyn – known as Frank – was born in Bruges. His father, William, was a talented designer and artist.

Desmond Chute

Desmond Chute was born in Bristol. His widowed Roman Catholic mother sent him to Downside School.

Joseph Cribb

Joseph Cribb was born and grew up in Hammersmith. His father counted William Morris and Emery Walker as his associates …

Eric Gill

Eric Gill was born in Brighton and grew up in Chichester. In 1900 he began his career as a draughtsman in an architect’s office …

Philip Hagreen

Philip Hagreen was born in Berkshire. He studied painting in Cornwall under Norman Garstin and Laura and Harold Knight.

Edgar Holloway

As a child Edgar Holloway attended art classes at a college near his home in Doncaster.

Edward Johnston

Edward Johnston was born in Uruguay, the son of Scottish settlers. In his late twenties he gave up medical studies in Edinburgh…

David Jones

David Jones was born in Brockley, Kent. His father, originally from Flintshire, Wales …