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Freeman joins judging panel of Winchester Cathedral competition
Freeman Nick Wright, furniture school manager at The Snowdon School of Furniture, has been selected as one of the judges of a new design competition being launched by Winchester Cathedral for an exceptional maker to design and create two new mortuary chests.
The chests will house the bones of nine individuals dating from the early Medieval period, including those of Queen Emma of Normandy, mother of Edward the Confessor.
The new chests will be on permanent public display inside Winchester Cathedral on an elevated stone ledge in the Retrochoir. The existing six chests in the cathedral, also on permanent public display, date from the 16th and 17th centuries.
A design brief for the competition has been approved by the Cathedrals Fabrics Commission and is being submitted to specialist networks and publications for artist entry. The competition opens on 30 September 2026 – further details and submission guidelines will be published in the Cathedral’s competition design brief, available from the end of September.
Submitted designs will be judged by a panel of experts – which includes Nick – led by The Revd Chris Palmer, Dean of Winchester.
Dean Chris said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity for artists to create something that will have an enduring legacy. The new chests will contain the bones of royals including those of Queen Emma. We are so proud to be launching this competition, and inviting artists to contribute to the 900-year history of Winchester Cathedral.”
Nick said: “I’m honoured to have been included in the selection panel for the project.”
Expressions of interest are being sought from established artists, via a number of artist and design outlets.
The design competition is generously supported by The Linder Foundation, Swire Charitable Trust and the Friends of Winchester Cathedral.