About Esther Collins
I am a textile and mixed media artist who combines fabric, paper and stitch. Alongside my own practice, I teach workshops and short courses in hand embroidery, machine embroidery and textile art in Sussex and the South East. I enjoy dying and printing my own fabric and paper and work using both machine embroidery and hand stitching, building up textile collages and machine embroidered pictures and vessels.
Based in Storrington, West Sussex, sources of inspiration include the natural environment, walking in the South Downs and local history. With a background in history of art and graphic design, I also enjoy referencing artists and historical design in my work. Sketchbooks, experimentation and making samples are an important part of my design process. I love colour and exploring the many ways it can be used as an expressive part of design.
I have worked as a qualified Adult Education Tutor since 2008 and in 2019 I took the decision to work independently, running workshops in locations around West Sussex, as well as from my home studio, where I teach various courses in both hand embroidery, machine embroidery and textile art. It is my aim to encourage and facilitate others to embrace their creativity and learn new techniques in a supportive, nurturing and inspiring environment. I always teach in small groups and believe that being creative and learning new skills throughout life, is an essential part of personal fulfilment and well being.
Over the years I have taught hundreds of people, with many students returning to me year after year. I have enjoy giving workshops and presentations to community embroidery groups including the East Kent Embroiderers, Horsham Creative Embroiderers, Wey Valley Textile Arts, Brighton Embroidery and Textiles, Southdowns Creative Stitchers, Bromley Embroiderers and many more. I look forward to teaching with the Embroiderers Guild in January 2027.
As a practising Artist (see a gallery of my work here), I bring my own experiences and artistic development to my classes. I seek to learn and modify new techniques, which I love to teach to others in a spirit of exploration and play. Teaching from my studio, I have easy access to all my samples and allow students to learn in a calm and inspiring environment. I am a member of the Society for Embroidered Work, the Textile Society and regularly sell and exhibit my work.
Blogs and interveiws
Read "Textile Artist Esther Collins - Meet the Maker" - my interview for Denmans Garden.
Click here to read a blog about my work during my time at Shoreham Art Gallery.
Past and Upcoming Exhibitions
23rd to 25th April 2026
"The Tree of Life" exhibition of student work from my Creative Textiles Group, Denmans Garden, West Sussex
6th - 22nd March 2026
Ramster Embriodery and Textile Art Exhibition, Surrey
1st – 17th March 2024
Horsham Artists Open Studio Arts Trail
11th - 19th June 2022
Steyning Arts Trail
28th May - 5th June 2022
Ramster Embroidery and Textile Art Exhibition, Surrey
5 - 20th March 2022
The Threadwinders, Oxmarket Gallery, Chichester
7 - 18th Sept 2021
Worthing Open Exhibition, Worthing Museum and Art Gallery
22nd May - 4th July 2021
Membership
Member of Society for Embroidered Work (SEW)
Founding Member of The Threadwinders Textile Art Group
Exhibiting member of Shoreham Art Gallery 2022 - 2024
Education
B.A. (Hons) History of Art 1994
HND Graphic Design (distinction) 1999
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Post-compulsory Art and Design) 2008
Foundation in Textiles 2017
Employment
Graphic designer for Kittiwake Developments Ltd (2000-2008) followed by teaching graphic design at degree level for Northbrook College in Worthing, then Quilting and Embroidery for Aspire Sussex Adult Education. Teaching workshops and courses on a freelance basis since 2019.
