Touchlines of Fortitude welcomes Hobbycraft as a key partner
- ljagzstudio
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
The UK’s largest arts & crafts retailer adds its support to the creative celebration of ‘Female Resilience’ in Twickenham this September
Touchlines of Fortitude is delighted to announce that Hobbycraft – the UK’s largest arts and crafts retailer – has joined the line-up of sponsors supporting its creative celebration of ‘Female Resilience’ in Twickenham and the surrounding area this September.
Founded in 1995, Hobbycraft now boasts over 100 stores across the UK, supplying the materials, inspiration and expert advice for an ever-expanding variety of crafts, hobbies and creative pursuits – from painting and sketching, through sewing, knitting and crochet, to baking, children’s entertaining and party and wedding planning.
That makes Hobbycraft the perfect partner to support Touchline of Fortitude’s ambition of supporting emerging artists and inspiring current and future generations of girls and young women to celebrate their creative passions and share their personal story.
Based in the spiritual home of rugby – and part-funded by Arts Council England – Touchlines of Fortitude is set to be a powerful, inspiring and vibrant programme of free-to-attend creative events, using the backdrop of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup and the intersecting lenses of sport and art to amplify and celebrate stories of female strength, empowerment and resilience.
Starting Thursday 11th September, the Beach Gallery in Teddington will play host to two Touchlines of Fortitude exhibitions themed around ‘Female Resilience’. The first will feature works by three acclaimed local female artists: Agnieszka Lokaj, Gina DeCagna and Tahira Mandarino.
The second exhibition will play host to works sourced through an open call, with prizes of Hobbycraft gift cards for the best works from a panel of expert judges – including prominent art critic Tabish Khan, figurative artist Karen Turner, event curator Agnieszka Lokaj and The Beach gallery owner Mark Vellacott. The best painting, photograph, sculpture, yarn art, print, ceramics and example of creative writing will each receive £25 Hobbycraft gift cards, while an overall ‘best-in-show’ winner will receive a £100 Hobbycraft gift card.
Artists can find out how to submit their work ahead of the official submissions deadline of midnight on Wednesday 20th August at fortitude-touchlines.com/open-call-for-artists.
An interactive 'Wall Of Fortitude' at both exhibitions – built using supplies from Hobbycraft, and supported by a writing workshop – will let members of the public share their own stories of female resilience. Thanks to part-funding from Arts Council England and the support of a comprehensive network of local partners, all of these events will be free-to-attend – ensuring the widest possible audience will be able to take part in, and get engaged with, the Touchlines of Fortitude story.
Joel Pickering, Head of Marketing at Hobbycraft: “We’re delighted to support Touchlines of Fortitude. Creativity is a powerful tool for self-expression and resilience, and we believe everyone should have the chance to explore and share their story through art. This partnership reflects our commitment to nurturing creativity in communities across the UK, and we’re proud to stand alongside Touchlines of Fortitude in celebrating strength and empowerment.”
Agnieszka Lokaj, Touchlines of Fortitude curator: "Inspired by the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, Touchlines of Fortitude is a celebration of female strength and expression. Women – particularly those who are neurodiverse or with marginalised voices – remain underrepresented in the worlds of art and sport. As an artist with ADHD, I believe my neurodiversity has been a driving force in my creative journey, letting me hyper-focus and explore multiple ideas simultaneously.
“As all forms of art, creativity and self-expression are key factors in maintaining, enhancing and improving good mental health, having the involvement of Hobbycraft as both a sponsor and an active collaborator for Touchlines of Fortitude is absolutely key to the success of what we’re trying to achieve. Hobbycraft’s passion for encouraging creativity and connection within the creative community really aligns with our ambition of championing unheard voices and untold stories.”
To learn more, please contact:
Agnieszka Lokaj
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