As one of the few studios in the world dedicated to large-scale, handwoven tapestry, your support is essential to sustaining our artists, weavers and ambitions.

Our highly skilled and creative weavers are essential to ATW. Cheryl Thornton joined in the early years, and completes her final tapestry with ATW in 2026. Cheryl recalls: “In the early days there was only a handful of weavers… we were just slowly working it out. You were encouraged at the sampling stage to experiment. To be a bit wild.”

Emma Sulzer, recognises how the founding weavers taught generations to come. “You’re constantly soaking things up. You learn by being in it and alongside more senior weavers.” Emma is now leading a major tapestry, Salt Creep with Fence #2 designed by Philip Hunter.

Cheryl and Emma’s relationship reflects the culture of inter-generational mentorship at ATW. Emma observes, “It takes years to develop the skills needed to contribute fully as a weaver.” Cheryl adds: “We are always trying new things… figuring out how far we can push detail and texture within the integrity of the design.”

The weavers have a vital contribution to make to an increasingly digital and fast-moving world. Emma reflects,“It’s important because it keeps hand-making and material knowledge alive. “That’s getting rarer, yet never more important.”