Pittenweem Arts Festival (2-9 August) is not only a celebration of visual arts and creativity but of community spirit. Over the last 40 plus years, it has inspired and attracted visitors from far and wide providing unique experiences in unusual places across the charming coastal village. We caught up with Julie Arbuthnott, Festival Chair to hear more about the festival’s roots, its growth and how it creates memorable experiences for all involved.
Article published 07/08/2025
The festival has grown exponentially since it started in the 1980s – a fantastic achievement! How has the festival retained its original ethos and appeal, whilst also evolving over the years?
Forty‑three years on and we’re still powered by the same spirit that launched us around a kitchen table in Pittenweem back in 1982 - neighbours opening their doors and saying “come and see what we’ve made.”
What’s changed is the scale. Today more than 180 artists fill over 90 venues, but it’s still front rooms, sheds and gardens rather than white‑cube galleries. That intimacy keeps the sense of place alive – along with a committed group of volunteers.
Invited artist Gail McGarva's Story Boat Credit: Simon Tutty
Can you provide some insight into how the festival comes together each year?
After this year’s festival we’ll generously take a week or so off and then we are back planning again in earnest! We carry out an extensive retrospective on the festival and analyse the feedback provided to us by visitors, artists and our community. This allows us to shape the right plan for the following year – and then it’s all about dividing up the tasks and playing to the many strengths we have around the table with our volunteer Board.
The festival is supported through EventScotland’s national events programme – how does that funding enhance your event?
Our supported event grant is a game‑changer. It lets us keep ticketed events affordable and creates amazing opportunities for events such as talks, films, music and workshops that appeal to the broadest selection of our audiences – artists, visitors and the residents of the East Neuk. Bringing a broad array of events beautifully complements the artwork on show, and contributes to the palpable buzz around the village.
Can you tell us more about the research you conducted to help understand the perspectives of your audiences – what were some of the overarching key findings and how are they shaping the future direction of the event?
We carry out visitor, artist and resident surveys to ensure we fully understand the impact of the festival and where we can improve things. One of the areas that was highlighted a couple of years ago was the need to appeal to a broader demographic – to encourage earlier engagement with art and make it relevant for all. We also found out that many people enjoy visiting the festival as part of a longer visit to the area, so it was important for us to make sure that they had the best time!
And finally, for someone who is new to the festival, can you tell us about the festival experience and any particular programme highlights?
The ‘festival experience’ is the No.1 thing that visitors love, which can be encapsulated as follows: Picture cobbled wynds strung with bunting, sea‑spray in the air, and an art-treasure map in your pocket. You might start at the Harbour, inside Gail McGarva’s Story Boat, then duck into a fisherman’s cottage showing botanical lino‑cuts before heading to the High Street to check out the emerging artists.
Grab a coffee from the Clocktower Café or a pint from the West End Bar before heading to Admiral Fallow’s indie and folk inspired set in the Church Hall at dusk. Kids can learn to print or sculpt, get hands-on with our interactive art installation or hunt down our nautical flags for a prize. Whether you stay an afternoon or the full week, you’ll leave with sand on your shoes, a head full of ideas and the sense you’ve been part of something properly home‑grown.
Discover more about the Pittenweem Arts Festival programme