Sharon Kearley MSDC

Researching archive maps & forgotten paths and the rhythm of walking, Sharon reminisces through the weaving of the warp and weft, a slowing of time; a narrative that conveys the land and our connection to it. Highlighting traditional hand weaving skills and the importance of natural materials, her love of indigo and rust shares the tales of both people and place, marking traces in time. Her weaving poses the question of the now and its importance in shaping the future, whilst reflecting on our past.

Sharon's working process is inspired by Bauhaus Theory of a diagnostic exploratory approach, responding to the physicality and sensitivity of materials combining weave, print and dye processes. She investigates the potential of linear connections, sequence and repeat within a compositional space, applying minimal and focused use of colour, series, scale and multiples.

Sharon graduated in 1995 from The London Institute, Chelsea School of Art, with a BA(Hons) Textiles Design having specialised for two years in woven design.

Her eighteen year career has been incredibly diverse encompassing Fashion and Costume Styling and making for the advertising, theatre, film and television industries; the infamous Big Breakfast and The Bigger Breakfast Show of the mid-ninties; styling presenters Liza Tarbuck and Johnny Vaughn, Sara Cox and Dermot O'Leary. She set up her own design practice in 2002 in Northern Spain where she exhibited her woven designs, working to various commissions, she continued to work in Costume and lectured Art and Design in Art Academies.

Sharon now works from studio 10 at Project Workshops, Hampshire. Drawing on over two decades of experience in education and the textiles industry, Sharon has created a studio that serves both as a working space and an inclusive educational centre.

The studio’s mission is to preserve time-honoured techniques, with access to traditional looms, inviting people to explore the rich legacy of weave through immersive, practice-based learning. Weaving is a tactile language that connects us to our history, heritage, and the rhythm of making,” says Sharon.

“This studio is a space for slowing down, exploring craftsmanship, and celebrating the stories embedded in cloth.

She provides workshops and talks to all ages sharing her knowledge and passion for her subject and her book 'Woven Textiles - A Designer's Guide' was published by 'Crowood Press' in 2014.

Education

2017-2019 MA Textiles Design, UCA, Farnham

2010 PGCE, Teacher Training, Highbury College, Portsmouth

2009 PTTLS/CTTLS Teacher Training in the Life Long Sector, Andover College

1997 Ladies costume interpretation 1500 – 1800’s

Wimbledon College of Art and Design, London

1992-1995 BA Textiles Design, Chelsea School of Art, London

Professional Bodies

Society of Designer Craftsmen MSDC

Prism International

Heritage Crafts

Design Nation

Weavers and Spinners Guild

Publications

2026 Summer Edition - WEFT Magazine

2014 “Woven Textiles – A Designer’s Guide,” Crowood Press

Awards

2025 Innovation & Development Award, Society of Designer Craftsmen & The Gane Trust

2010 Test Valley Borough Council, setting up in business

2010 Test Valley Arts Foundation

2005 'El Abrazo' San Sebastián, Spain

Residencies

2025 "Echoes of Andover" CasAIR / Arts Council funded. Museum of the Iron Age, Andover

2010 Ditchling Museum, East Sussex

2009 AA2A Portsmouth University

Tutoring Experience

2012 – current Pathway Leader, Foundation Diploma Art and Design, Wiltshire College, Trowbridge

2012 -2018 Visiting Lecturer, MA Textiles Design, Winchester School of Art

2009 - Weave Tutor, Private Tuition

2010 – 2012 Visiting Lecturer, BA Weave Design, London Metropolitan

2010 Fashion Lecturer, HND Fashion Design, Highbury College, Portsmouth

2009 – 2011 Visiting Lecturer, BA Weave Design, Winchester School of Art

2009 – 2010 Visiting Lecturer, National Diploma Fashion, Wiltshire College

2009 – 2010 Visiting Lecturer, Foundation Diploma Art and Design, Wiltshire College

Exhibitions

International

2026 "Entwine"Virtual Exhibition, International Weaving Network, WEEFNETWORK

2024 “Scythia” 15th Biennal, Ukraine

2023 “Freedom” Virtual Exhibition, International Weaving Network, WEEFNETWORK

National

2025

Reflections from the Land - SpudWorks, New Forest

Design Nation South - Materialised. Regency Town House - Brighton

​Tales in the Making - Society of Designer Craftsmen. OxMarket Contemporary , Chichester

2024

“Emerging Artists & Designermakers” Design Nation, The Hub, Sleaford

“Edgelands” The Art Pavilion, London, Prism International

WEFT 24, Trowbridge Museum

“ReConnected", MAC, Wilson Room, Oxmarket Contemporary

2023​

“Wonder” SDC, Oxmarket Contemporary

“Shape and Form”, Hampshire Open - Chapel Arts Studios

“A Celebration of Textiles Alumni. ” New Ashgate Gallery, FarnhamApril 2021 "Spring Showcase" Maker's Art Collective, Oxmarket Gallery, Chichester

2022

“Blue” Gallery 57, Arundel

“Transformation” SDC, Bankside, London

“I Gam O Gam” Stwidio Maelor, Wales

2018 - 2021

“Excellence” & “2021” Society of Designer Craftsmen, Oxmarket, Chichester

“Connected” – Oxo Gallery, Oxo Tower Wharf, London

“Heathland Artworks”, Surrey Hill Arts, Farnham Heath, Surrey

“ReMastered”, Crafts Study Centre, UCA, Farnham

Collaborative Projects

Pallant House Gallery, Chichester

The Malmesbury Project, Leigh Park, Making Space/ Hampshire County Council/NHS

Weave Practitioner, The Newby Project, Ditchling Museum/Your Heritage Funded

The Centenary Project, Ditchling Museum Arts Council Funded

Costume & Fashion Styling Industries Experience

Cinema

BILLY ELLIOT (cut from…)

1996 Costume Design Assistant U 4 Me Films, London

Wardrobe Assistant Swan Lake, The Film, AMP, London

Television

1999-2000 CHANNEL 4/PLANET 24, London - THE BIG BREAKFAST,

THE BIGGER BREAKFAST Fashion, Costume Stylist

(daily live television programme)

1998-1999 CHANNEL 4 - Fashion, Costume Stylist Television Commercials

1998 ITV Network - Fashion, Costume Stylist Television Commercials

1997 BBC 1 - Costume Maker Christmas Idents

Television Commercials - Fashion, Costume Stylist

Clients included:

Kodak, Boddingtons, Vauxhall/World Cup, Mercedes (USA), Mini Rover, Sanyo Digicam, VW Polo, Saab, Ford Escort, The Times Directory, Levis, Kiss TV, Persol Sunglasses (Milan), Blockbusters Video, Kellogg's, Daily Telegraph

Theatre

1997 Wardrobe Assistant Swan Lake, AMP, Los Angeles, USA

1998 Wardrobe Maker Agatha Chrisities' Mousetrap', London

Wardrobe Assistant Supervisor Grease/Whistle Down the WindLondon

Wardrobe Deputy Grease, London

1997-1998 Wardrobe Assistant Supervisor Cinderella, AMP, London

1995-1997 Wardrobe Assistant Swan Lake, AMP London

1995 Costume Styling Angels and Bermans, London

Miscellaneous

Languages Spanish, Fluent, lived and worked in Northern Spain for 10 years

References Available on request