Edward James is perhaps best known as a major patron of the arts and an innovator in interior design and architecture. Yet he regarded himself primarily as a poet and, for World Poetry Day, we’re shining a spotlight on James’ lifelong pursuit of poetry. 

We are delighted to have recently received a generous donation of Salvador Dalí lithographs by the family of the late John Crowley. John Crowley’s daughter, Karen Gardner, is an alumna of West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, having graduated with an MA Visual Arts in 2008 (now Master of Fine Art).

We are delighted to have recently received a generous donation of Salvador Dalí lithographs by the family of the late John Crowley. John Crowley’s daughter, Karen Gardner, is an alumna of West Dean College of Arts and Conservation, having graduated with an MA Visual Arts in 2008 (now Master of Fine Art).

The Whose Heritage? project was set up in 2019 to explore the cultural legacy of colonialism at West Dean College. Working with academic staff, students, external subject specialists and source communities, the project aims to re-evaluate and inform how objects in our collection are cared for, curated, and displayed.  

Starting as part of the College’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2021, the Oral History Project gathers together memories from staff, students and alumni from the early days of the College’s inception in 1971, right through to the present.