Artifex 2025 was the sunniest on record, with our pupil-led arts festival blessed with glorious weather from start to finish. This year, we had a particularly excellent crop of pupil leaders taking charge of Artifex from its inception right through to five days of creative celebration.
The team was expertly led by CEOs Zara-Maia and Jasper, and COOs Ivan and Alix – all First Year Specialists (Year 12). Managing an operation that produces just under 100 events in five days is no mean feat, but this team did so with calm, ease, and considerable skill.
During the build-up to Artifex, I felt honoured to work with so many talented individuals – from musicians and artists to performers and workshop hosts – who all came up with fantastic ideas that made this festival such a special and memorable experience.
Jasper, CEO
The Artifex Wave
The sun beat down on the tarmac as the Houses geared up for the festival favourite, the Inter-house Pushkart Derby. A dramatic start to one race saw the unfortunate immediate disintegration of the Fletcherites kart, but thankfully most other houses, expertly co-ordinated by Jasper, First Year Specialist, made it to the end of the race unscathed, with Weekites emerging as worthy winners.
The Inter-House Pushkart Derby – Winners pictured second from the right
Charterhouse Rocks kicked off as the first major event in our Artifex Wave arena. This was our biggest rock concert ever (lasting over 2.5 hours), with a packed crowd offering vociferous support to the fantastic range of bands on show. The recording is available to watch on our Music department’s YouTube channel.
Charterhouse Rocks
Leading this year's Artifex was incredibly rewarding after seeing how our School community came together to celebrate the School's life of art. As CEO, I had my fair share of unexpected moments – including dragging firewood up Death-drop Hill! Thank you so much to everyone who got involved and gave their best efforts – we couldn't do it without you!
Zara, CEO
C’house Got Talent made a return after a year-long hiatus, with the winning band – led by Kade and Freddie, First Year Specialists (Year 12), and others – declared the winner in a competition judged by Dr Peterken, Mrs Byrne, and Mr Allen. There was little to stop Mr Allen himself returning to the stage in Beak to the Future, another great night of music led by our teachers under the exemplary leadership of our very own Liam Gallagher, Mr McCombes.
Beak to the Future
Music continued to punctuate the day with our five Coffee Concerts and Cloister Concerts held in South African Cloister. Also returning this year was our Colour Run, organised by Ayah, First Year Specialist (Year 12), which took place on Broom and Lees, with the requisite amount of paint being deposited liberally and rapidly!
Colour Run
Artifex 2025 also brought with it another brilliant BTT show, ably led and directed by Ollie and Eve, both First Year Specialists. This time, it was The Greatest Show – our own take on the hit film The Greatest Showman. The cast, including Faris (First Year Specialist), Jonty (Fifth Form, Year 11), Rory (Fourth Form, Year 9), Isolde (Fifth Form), Sabrina (Removes, Year 10), Robyn (Fifth Form), Seb (Fifth Form), Poppy (Fifth Form), Romy (Fourth Form), Clio (First Year Specialist), and Ariyaana (Fifth Form), did a spectacular job, performing to a packed-out Ben Travers Theatre. It takes a huge amount of effort and determination to lead a production, so hats off to all involved!
The Greatest Show
Meetings, spreadsheets, and endless flurries of emails were the day-to-day reality of preparing for Artifex. It was a pleasure to finally see all that admin translate into real events bursting with passion, energy, and creativity. I didn’t expect to be dragging firewood up Death-drop or clocking 20,000 steps on the first day alone, but every bit of effort paid off. Sitting back to watch a brilliant pupil production of The Greatest Show, followed by more Oasis covers than anyone needed (thanks, Beak Band), and a brilliant rendition of Would I Lie To You? made it all worthwhile.
Ivan, COO
As always, this year saw the new mixing with the old. Highlights included Monologues by Moonlight, Mission Impawsible featuring the Surrey Search and Rescue dogs, Festive Face Painting, a Paper Airplane Competition, Brain Dissection (run by the Psychology Society), and Straw Weaving.
Mission Impawsible: Surrey Search and Rescue
There were some great exhibits to explore in the Open Studio Exhibition, housed in our brand-new Art and Design building, along with a variety of artistically minded workshops, from t-shirt printing to mural painting. A smattering of other workshops kept the crowds entertained. Our ever-popular Sushi Workshop was, as always, sold out – as were sessions on Cheese Tasting (with OC Ed Hancock) and Wine Tasting (led by the expert, Mr Constable).
Wine Tasting Workshop
Our biggest and most ambitious new event this year was the Artifex Market. For the first time, we had pupil stall-holders selling their wares alongside street food vendors and others from the wider Charterhouse community. As enterprise met creativity, pupils engaged with real energy to build an exciting new platform for the future of Artifex. As part of this, we were also lucky to host a Mobile Escape Room, specially set up on Founder’s Court. Special mention must go to Mr Patel – supported by Tom (Artifex Market) and Louis (Artifex Café), both First Year Specialists – for the extraordinary dedication it took to co-ordinate this, along with our other entrepreneurial venture, the Artifex Café. For the first time, we also welcomed a variety of food trucks, offering wood-fired pizza, churros, Greek gyros, and burgers.
Artifex was a great example of how adaptable the team was. Introducing the market event was something new for all of us, but it came together really well and added a lot to the week. It was rewarding to see everyone’s ideas come to life.
Alix, COO
Artifex Market
In a real coup for Charterhouse, we welcomed the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines for an extraordinary concert alongside Carthusian musicians from Concert Band and Big Band. Performing to a packed crowd, the combined bands entertained with music including Feelin’ Good and New York, New York, with solos by Lyra (Second Year Specialist, Year 13), Freddie (First Year Specialist, Year 12), Ollie (First Year Specialist), and Georgia (Second Year Specialist). It was a unique opportunity for our talented musicians to perform with – and learn from – some of the most accomplished performers in the UK. It was a truly unforgettable evening, and one of the most memorable concerts in Charterhouse history.
The Band of the Royal Marines
As the ever-present sun set on Artifex 2025, following our Prom in the Park with music ranging from Brahms to Sondheim, it’s worth reflecting on what has been a brilliant creative year at Charterhouse. To deliver such a festival at the end of a year packed to bursting with concerts, plays, and musicals is a true reflection of how vibrant the cultural scene is here.
With 97 different events crammed into five days, Artifex was yet again a testament to what each pupil can achieve when given the opportunity.
Ivan, COO
