Art on the doorstep
Gravesham’s new home for the visual arts is the St George’s Arts Centre conveniently located in Gravesend town centre. With it’s beautiful gallery space and adjacent cafe it compliments the borough’s St Andrew’s Centre and the Blake Gallery facilities. The last few months have seen successful shows from local artists, national touring exhibitions and numerous weekly arts workshops. Our positive geography means we also benefit greatly from links with the the Estuary Festival, England’s Creative Coast initiatives and the emerging Ebbsfleet Garden City cultural development.
Calling All Artists: Ellenor’s Bear Hunt
Thirty Big Bears, thirty Bear Cubs: Dartford to become a summer gallery in 2026.
Thirty life-sized bears on all fours - along with thirty smaller cubs - will take over Dartford next summer, each one a blank canvas to be transformed by artists, schools and community groups.
This is Dartford, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt - a public art trail inspired by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s beloved children’s book of adventure and discovery. For eight weeks in the summer of 2026, the town will become an open-air gallery, inviting families, day-trippers and art lovers to follow a trail of large sculptures.
At its heart is ellenor, the Kent hospice charity supporting children and adults with life-limiting illness.
“This trail is a unique opportunity for artists to see their work showcased across the Borough of Dartford, enjoyed by thousands of visitors. Just as importantly, every bear will help raise vital funds for ellenor, supporting families living with life-limiting illness. By taking part, artists will be creating something that is both celebrated and life-changing.” - Sue Piper, Director of Income Generation, ellenor.
Each artist chosen will receive a £1,000 commission, access to a communal painting space in Dartford, and the opportunity to have their work enjoyed by thousands of visitors. But this trail is about more than art. Dartford, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is a celebration of creativity, community and care. Every bear will help share ellenor’s story, bringing colour, joy and reflection to the town. At the end of summer 2026, the sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for ellenor, supporting families facing life-limiting illness and giving each design a lasting legacy of compassion.
Key dates for artists:
· Submissions open: 17 September – 21 November 2025
· Selection event: 4 February 2026
· Painting period: March – May 2026 (communal studio available)
· Trail launch: July 2026
Artists can submit up to two designs at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk.
The Unfettered Light
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
This exhibition brings together the luminous traditions of Diwali and Bandi Chhorh Dihara, two festivals that share the themes of light, freedom, and renewal. Through artworks created in art workshops at the Sri Guru Nanak Gurdwara Wellness Centre, it explores how light has long been a universal symbol of hope—guiding us from darkness to illumination, from confinement to liberation.
Visitors are invited to experience a space alive with colour, pattern, and storytelling. Stained Glass, textiles, and ceramic pieces shine with the energy of shared creativity, celebrating both heritage and imagination. Each artwork reflects not only the cultural significance of these festivals, but also the joy of making together—bridging traditions, generations, and communities.
At its heart, this exhibition is a reminder that light continues to inspire, connect, and liberate. It is a celebration of resilience, freedom, and the enduring power of collective creativity.
In Transit – A free Photography Exhibition, Q&A and Workshop by Phil Fisk at Gravesend Town Pier
Gravesend Town Pier
Gravesham Borough Council, with the support of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, has commissioned award-winning photographer Phil Fisk to create a striking new body of work capturing the unique spirit of the Thames Estuary.
The result is In Transit, a free public photography exhibition taking place at Gravesend Town Pier, the oldest working iron pier in the world on Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 October, from 9am to 5pm each day.
The exhibition features evocative riverscapes of the ever-shifting Thames Estuary, alongside compelling portraits of the people of Gravesend – offering a powerful reflection on the life and movement of the riverside community. The photographs will be available for sale and a limited selection will remain at the Town Pier, for visitors to enjoy.
Two special events will accompany the exhibition, both are free to attend but pre-booking is required for the workshop as numbers are limited.
Q&A with Phil Fisk - Saturday 11 October 2pm
Phil Fisk will be interviewed by legendary Picture Editor Tony Bell, offering insight into his creative process and the stories behind the In Transit photographs
Lighting Workshop - Sunday 12 October 2pm
A practical session led by Phil, sharing techniques and tips on photographic lighting, hosted in the Town Pier’s unique River Room.
Free to attend but pre-booking is required - for further info/booking email phil@philfisk.com
Architecture + Photography = Art
The Masonic Hall, 25 Wrotham Road Gravesend DA11 0PA
The Arts Society Gravesend presents a lecture -
According to one leading architect, “the modern architectural drawing is interesting, the photograph is magnificent, the building is an unfortunate but necessary stage between the two.” Architecture + Photography = Art introduces photographers who crystallised the architects’ vision in images that are both works of art in their own right and shape our opinion of the buildings they depict. These photographers include Dell and Wainwright from Britain, Julius Shulman in the United States and Lucien Hervé in France. The lecture also examines photographers who recorded rural churches, barns and cottages to create a lyrical vision of Britain.
Lecturer
Brian Stater lectured at University College London for 25 years, retiring in 2021 as a Senior Teaching Fellow. His principal academic interest lay in the appreciation of architecture and he has a lifelong enthusiasm for photography. He therefore offers lectures to The Arts Society on each of these subjects.
He has written on architecture for a wide range of publications and an exhibition of his own photographs was held at UCL. He is a member of the Association of Historical and Fine Art Photography and he works with a pre-War Leica camera, as used by his great hero, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and many others.
Brian is an engaging and amusing speaker who seeks to entertain as well as inform his audience.
Revamp and Recycle with Paint - 3 Day Workshop
Rosherville Scout Hall, Rosherville Recreational Park, Northfleet, DA11 9JU
‘We can, She can, You can’…Revamp & Recycle with paint 3 Day Workshop.
Opportunities With Experience run regular paint workshops using official Annie Sloan paints. Their professional and expert tutor covers areas of colour mixing, fabric painting, stencilling, applying waxes and using bronze, silver or gold leaf for decorative effects, and much more!
These techniques will elevate your furniture and boost your confidence beyond painting in single colour.
You bring the item from home, and we’ll provide all the tools and materials that you’ll need. We also provide aprons and gloves.
Booking is required - Contact Angela on 07496547214 or email: angela.steele1@o-w-e.org.uk
Halloween Life Drawing with Andy Hopton
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Come and join us at the St Georges Arts Centre from 7pm for a 2 hr life drawing class with Artist, Andy Hopton.
We will provide a model, paper and charcoal as well as easels and boards.
Please bring anything else you want to use with you. Models may be male or female.
To book your place please email: andy.hopton@outlook.com or click on the link below:
Frights & Delights – An Enchanted Autumn Exhibition
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Arts Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Join us this October at the St George’s Arts Centre where Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice meets the Wickedly Wonderful Witching Hour in our enchanted Autumn/Halloween exhibition ‘Frights and Delights’.
The exhibition will feature both 2D and 3D work from Artists in response to an open call based on the themes of cosy Autumnal vibes, warmth, light and delicate rustic golden colours, alongside the more mystical part of the season, the wickedly wonderful family friendly side of Halloween festivities.
There will also be photo opportunities with our specially created Halloween and Autumn Scenes, as well as the art swap shop, where you can donate good quality art and craft materials you no longer require and pick up something different.
As well as fantastic artwork, photo ops and the art swap shop, we are running a whole host of activities over the half-term holiday, including art and craft workshops, story telling for both families and adults, and a special interactive family experience featuring light, reflection and slime. The café will also be hosting a Halloween party complete with pumpkin carving! Check our the Arts and Culture page on the Woodville website for a full list of our events and booking information.
We can’t wait to see you ‘scare’… we mean ‘there’, we can’t wait to see you ‘there’!
In The Line Of Remembrance
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
This year’s Remembrance exhibition looks at conflict from personal experiences.
We are pleased to be working with artist, veteran and serving reservist, Matt Emery.
Matt reached out to other military veterans to curate this powerful exhibition that depicts personal experiences of combat, daily military life and the impact of war.
The creative process can be a powerful tool for veterans and serving individuals to process their experiences and express themselves, Matt is keen to develop this process and hopes to offer a series of workshops in the New Year. Further information on this project can be found by visiting www.memeryarts.co.uk
The exhibition features work from: John Chesney, Emma Cook, Matt Emery, Harry Joseph, Shaun Maloney, Richard May, Kye Robinson & Julia Stevenson.
Silverhand Estate - Cork & Carve
Silverhand Estate, Luddesdown, DA13 0XE
Join Silverhand Estate from 6:00pm at the Cellar Door for a charming evening of seasonal artistry and sparkling indulgence.
Immerse yourself in the warmth of autumn as you carve and paint your chosen pumpkin, accompanied by a glass of finest Silver Reign or Silver Reign Rosé—complimentary upon arrival.
All carving and painting materials will be thoughtfully provided. Simply select the pumpkin that speaks to your style; our curated selection varies in colour and size, with pricing as follows:
Small – £5
Medium – £7
Large – £10
The Forgotten Dead Exhibition
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
It's 1878. A paddle steamer carrying 800 day trippers leaves Gravesend. It never makes it home. Blueprint Arts are developing an immersive performance resurrecting a tragedy long drowned in the Thames. Come along to our community exhibition featuring original artwork, costume, and sound archives from the piece.
Life Drawing with Andy Hopton
St George’s Arts Centre, Gravesend
Come and join us at the St Georges Arts Centre from 7pm for a 2 hour life drawing class with Artist, Andy Hopton.
We will provide a model, paper and charcoal as well as easels and boards.
Please bring anything else you want to use with you. Models may be male or female.
To book your place please email: andy.hopton@outlook.com or click on this link.
Paper Quilling Workshop with Mona Whitton
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Join us to learn the technique to this ancient art form.
In this workshop you will work with pre-cut papers, learning how to coil and fold them into a variety of different shapes, before assembling them together into a picture of your choice.
Suitable for ages 16+ years
Workshops must be booked in advance. We aim for our workshops to be as inclusive as possible and invite everyone to attend. However, if the participant has additional needs, please contact us in advance so that we can make our facilitators aware. Photography and Videography may take place at any of our workshops/events for future advertising. We will always make you aware before we take any photographs, and if we intend to take shots other than completed artwork, backs of heads or hands, then we will always ask you to complete a permission form beforehand. Should you not wish to be photographed at all, please inform the member of staff.
Paper Quilling Workshop with Mona Whitton
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Join us to learn the technique to this ancient art form.
In this workshop you will work with pre-cut papers, learning how to coil and fold them into a variety of different shapes, before assembling them together into a picture of your choice.
Suitable for ages 16+ years
Workshops must be booked in advance. We aim for our workshops to be as inclusive as possible and invite everyone to attend. However, if the participant has additional needs, please contact us in advance so that we can make our facilitators aware. Photography and Videography may take place at any of our workshops/events for future advertising. We will always make you aware before we take any photographs, and if we intend to take shots other than completed artwork, backs of heads or hands, then we will always ask you to complete a permission form beforehand. Should you not wish to be photographed at all, please inform the member of staff.
Gravesend Grammar School Art Exhibition
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
The Art department at Gravesend Grammar School are pleased to be able to display work from our 2025 cohort of GCSE and A Level Artists.
These students have worked over 2 years to create work which expresses their individuality and communicates their ideas.
The exhibition will display work from the current Year 13 students who are part way through their journey as artists.
Pop-Up on The Pier Workshop Facilitator Call Oou
Town Pier, Gravesend
Arts & Culture Gravesham are looking for workshop facilitators for our pop up on the pier event on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November 2025 and are inviting creatives to submit their proposals.
Saturday 15th November
Coinciding with the Christmas Light Switch on, on Saturday 15th November we are looking to run two drop-in craft workshops for families on Gravesend Town Pier. The craft should be fun, quick and easy, and ideally last anywhere between 5-15 minutes.
The sessions should be themed around Winter/Christmas.
The workshops will run from 11am – 3pm.
The workshops will be free and non-bookable so that attendees can drop in any time they like.
The fee will be £275 per workshop including materials and any assistance you need to bring with you on the day. Please aim for a max of 100 attendees.
We will provide tables, tablecloths and a few chairs.
The facilitator will be responsible for arriving in time to set up, and clear/tidy away afterwards.
Please note, we do not pay extra for travel or parking costs etc.
Sunday 16th November
On Sunday 16th November we are looking to hold individual bookable workshops on Gravesend Town Pier.
We are inviting creatives to submit proposals for art/craft workshops based on the theme of Autumn/Winter.
We are looking for 2 family workshops and 1 adult workshop. Please let us know in your proposal who it is suitable for.
Workshops should last 1.5 hours for a maximum of 10 participants.
The family workshops will take place at 11.30am and 2pm. The adult workshop will take place at 2pm.
The facilitator will be responsible for arriving in time to set up, and clear/tidy away afterwards.
The fee for individual workshops is £85 plus materials. The budget for the materials must be agreed in advance and we therefore request that you include this in your workshop proposal along with a list of required materials.
Please note, we do not pay extra for travel or parking costs etc.
Insurance/Documentation
To be able to facilitate any of the workshops for us, you will need to have public liability insurance to cover the activity, and we will request a copy of your documentation. Please ensure that your insurance covers the date of the workshop.
We will also require you to carry out a risk assessment to be submitted prior to the workshop.
DBS certification is preferred for family workshops and, we would like to know if you do have one or not.
Proposals
If you would like to apply to facilitate a workshop, please send your proposal(s) to artsandculture@gravesham.gov.uk with the following information:
· Description of workshop
· Whether it’s for the drop-in Saturday or bookable Sunday.
· Material costs and list
· Age ranges the workshop is suitable for
· Images if possible
· Short bio of your previous work/experience (only if you haven’t worked with us before)
The information can be within the body of the email itself or a separate Word or PDF document.
Please do not send your proposals to individual members of staff.
Selection
After the deadline closes, proposals will go before a panel to be considered.
If you are successful, you will be sent a contract and we will request a non-copyright image of the craft and accompanying text asap for marketing purposes. Please note images must be a minimum of 2mb.
Criteria
· Full description provided
· Engaging activity which meets the theme and requirements
· Materials list and budget included
· Suitable for age range provided
· Image provided
Deadline for proposals: Sunday 5th October 11.59pm
We look forward to hearing from you.
Autumn/Winter Family Workshop Facilitator Call Out
Gravesham Arts & Culture team are currently looking for facilitators for their family art & craft workshops for Autumn/Winter 2025 on the following dates:
Tuesday 21st October 11am – 12.30pm (Autumn)
Thursday 23rd October 11am – 12.30pm (Halloween)
Saturday 29th November 11am – 12.30pm (Winter/Christmas)
Saturday 6th December 11am – 12.30pm (Christmas)
General Workshop Information
The workshops will take place in the St George’s Arts Centre. The October dates will be in the main gallery alongside the Autumn open call exhibition, whilst the November and December dates will take place in the workshop area of the café at the St George’s Arts Centre.
Workshops should last approx. 1.5 hours.
There will be a maximum of 10 participants per workshop, and we request that all children aged 12 and under are accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the session.
Ideally workshops should be suitable for anyone aged 4+ and therefore have an easier and more technical version of the craft to cater for different ages and abilities. However, if you feel that a particular workshop is suitable for a minimum age e.g. 7+ or 12+ etc, please put this into your proposal, as we do include workshops for various ages.
We ask that you arrive in time to set up and be ready before participants arrive, and you will also be expected to clean and tidy away after the workshop has finished.
Fee
The fee for individual workshops is £85 plus materials. The budget for the materials must be agreed in advance and we therefore request that you include this in your workshop proposal along with a list of required materials. Please note, we do not pay extra for travel or parking costs etc.
Insurance/Documentation
To be able to facilitate a workshop for us, you will need to have public liability insurance to cover the activity, and we will request a copy of your documentation. Please ensure that your insurance covers the date of the workshop.
We will also require you to carry out a risk assessment to be submitted prior to the workshop. DBS certification is preferred and, we would like to know if you do have one or not.
Proposals
We are open to suggestions for the actual craft/content of the workshops but would like it to be family arts and crafts based around the themes mentioned above in brackets.
If you would like to apply to facilitate one or more of the above workshops, please send your proposal(s) to artsandculture@gravesham.gov.uk with the following information:
Description of workshop
Material costs and list
Age ranges the workshop is suitable for
Images if possible
Short bio of your previous work/experience (only if you haven’t worked with us before)
The information can be within the body of the email itself or a separate Word or PDF document. Please do not send your proposals to individual members of staff.
Selection
After the deadline closes, proposals will go before a panel to be considered. You will be contacted within 2-3 weeks after the deadline.
If you are successful, you will be sent a contract and we will request a non-copyright image of the craft and accompanying text asap for marketing purposes. Please note images must be a minimum of 2mb.
Criteria
Full description provided
Materials list and budget included
Simple and more technical versions or suitable for the age range suggested
Engaging activity which develops our young people creatively
Image provided
Deadline for proposals: Sunday 28th September 11.59pm
Duncan Grant Lino Cutting Workshop
St Andrew's Arts Centre, DA12 2BD
Join local artist Duncan Grant for a Lino Cutting Workshop.
Duncan will be doing 2 sessions - 12noon - 2pm and 3pm - 5pm.
8 places on each session.
Free to join - materials provided.
Please book here by email
Infinity & Impossible Worlds: The Art of M.C. Escher
The Masonic Hall, 25 Wrotham Road Gravesend DA11 0PA
The Arts Society Gravesend presents a lecture -
The Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher achieved cult status in the 1960s, featuring on album covers, book jackets and posters. Since then the popularity of his space-distorting geometrical constructions has soared, with exhibitions all over the world attracting hundreds of thousands of people. This lecture will explore the diverse and surprising sources of his inspiration. Be prepared for a journey which takes in Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings, Piranesi’s dark fantasies, the Islamic art of Granada and the discoveries of modern mathematics.
Lecturer
Rupert Dickens is an art historian based in south London with a special interest in Dutch and Flemish 16th and 17th century painting. He works at the Wallace Collection as a guide conducting public and private tours and lecturing on aspects of the collection. Rupert is also a tour director for a Cambridge-based company accompanying groups on art-themed tours to the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Austria and Italy. He has lectured to large audiences on subjects as diverse as the game of chess in art and Madame de Pompadour’s artistic patronage in 18th century France. He studied art history at Birkbeck College before undertaking a Masters in Dutch Golden Age Studies at University College London. Before that Rupert had a 26-year career as a BBC journalist ending as an editor in radio news.
Needle & Grout: Threads That Bind - An exhibition by the Sikh community of Gravesend
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
This vibrant exhibition celebrates the rich cultural heritage and creative talent of the Sikh community in Gravesend, showcasing a stunning collection of embroidery and mosaic artworks.
At its heart, Needle & Grout is a story of tradition and evolution—reviving ancestral embroidery techniques while embracing modern stitch work to create pieces that are both timeless and contemporary. Alongside the intricate textiles, visitors will discover bold and beautiful mosaic works created by a dedicated group at the Gurdwara Education Centre, where pattern, colour, and texture bring two art forms—and two cultures—into conversation.
Led by artist Mona Whitton, the project uncovered remarkable parallels between traditional UK embroidery stitches and those found in Sindhi and Indian textile work, highlighting the shared heritage embedded in handcraft across generations and geographies.
This exhibition is a testament to the power of art to unite communities, celebrate identity, and honour the stories told through thread and tile.
Join us at St Georges Arts Centre to explore these exceptional works and be part of a cultural exchange woven through creativity, collaboration, and care.
Drawn To London
St Andrew’s Arts Centre
Urban sketches made on location.
An exhibition of giclee prints by Peta Bridle.
Gravesend Art Group Annual Exhibition
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Gravesend Art Group are once again showcasing their work at their Annual Exhibition for 2025. Some of the work is based on weekly themes from their Friday group nights and some is individually inspired. You will find a variety of subjects, styles and mediums.
As in previous years, there will be paintings and prints for sale, also greetings cards and postcards.
For full details, check out GAG’s website
Artist Open Call - Autumn Exhibition
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Artist Brief
This October we are holding an exhibition at the St George’s Arts Centre, Gravesend, based on the themes of Autumn and Halloween.
Part of the exhibition will focus on cosy Autumnal vibes, warmth, light and the delicate rustic golden side, whilst the other part will focus on the more mystical part of the season, the wickedly wonderful family friendly side of Halloween festivities.
The exhibition will run from Tuesday 14th October – Sunday 2nd November.
Part of the exhibition is open call, and we are therefore inviting artists/crafters of all ages to submit up to 3 pieces of work for consideration. Submissions can be in 2D or 3D media including but not restricted to painting, drawing, print, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewellery, crochet etc but must reflect the themes of either Cosy Autumn or family friendly Halloween, or even both!
There will be a small charge for every piece of work chosen to be part of the exhibition, however, the work can be sold and there will be no commission fee charged -
Ages 17 and under: £5 per piece of work.
Ages 18+: £10 per piece of work.
Entry for the exhibition will close on Sunday 28th September at 11.59pm.
Successful entries will be informed the following week, and work will need to be dropped off at the gallery between Wednesday 1st and Sunday 12th October. It is the artists' responsibility to ensure all work is delivered ready to be hung. The gallery will not add fixings to the artwork. It is also the artists’ responsibility to insure their work. The Gallery is unable to return artwork by post.
Notes for Submitting your work
Please label the photographs with the title of the piece so that we can easily identify.
When completing the description of work field in the photograph upload section, please include the following (as if you are successful, we will use this information to create the gallery cards and exhibition list)
- Artists Name (as you wish it to appear on the card)
- Title of Piece
- Medium
- Price
- Additional Notes (if you have anything you want added to the card)
- Website or Socials (if applicable)
Submit your work here
Wish You Were Here: Postcards from the Pier Workshop
Gravesend Town Pier, DA11 0BJ
An interactive art and craft workshop inspired by the golden age of the Great British seaside holiday
Participants will create their own nostalgic postcards using collage, paint, and drawing techniques, celebrating iconic imagery such as beach huts, deck chairs, donkeys, and ice creams. The workshop invites attendees to reimagine memories or invent new ones in the style of vintage travel posters and classic seaside postcards.
Suitable for families with children aged 6+ or adults.
Stained Glass Beach Scene Workshop
Gravesend Town Pier
Join us on the pier to create your own simple, stained glass beach scene similar to the piece pictured. There will be the option to include small shells and pebbles into the scene. A simple yet beautifully nostalgic piece that will fit in any home
Pieces will be cut already, every participant will receive a strip of sea, a strip of sand and then variety of different coloured beach huts to choose from.
This workshop is suitable for adults (18+)
‘Oh I Do Like to Be Beside The Seaside’ - Pier exhibition
Gravesend Town Pier
Celebrating the Great British Holiday!
A small exhibition featuring work from 3 local artists themed around the Great British Holiday in response to an open call, and photo and information boards celebrating holidays from the last century.
Art Show + Flower Festival
St George’s Church, Gravesend
Beautiful flower displays, artworks and artists from Gravesend Art Group doing their art.
Sat 16th to Monday 25th August - Open Daily 10am-4pm (excluding service times)
Admission Free.
Prints Prints Prints Exhibition - Victoria Print Makers
Iron Pier Brewery @ St Andrews Arts Centre, Royal Pier Rd, Gravesend
Victoria Printmakers are showing their work at the fabulous Iron Pier pop up - at the St Andrews Arts Centre, Gravesend.
Opening event on Friday August 15th from 4 pm. Do pop down and meet the artists!
Etchings, Linocuts, Drypoints & Collagraphs.
Opening Hours Thursday to Sunday
Thu/Fri/Sat 11am-10pm
Sun 11am-6pm
Gravy Girls Exhibition
Iron Pier Brewery, St Andrew's Arts Centre, DA12 2BD
Showcasing the artworks of female Gravesend artists!
Cosima Richards
Marelle Steblecki
Tamilore
Elle Tennyson
Loulou Elliott
Tess Carey
Izzy Tennyson
Charlotte Wells
Harriet Hammond
Nipsl1p
Georgina Klikker
Chaos At The Carnival!
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
The Grand Carnival has arrived in town, but something's not quite right!
The mischievous carnival trickster has sabotaged the show, causing all the attractions to go hilariously haywire!
As the CSI 'Carnival Show Investigators,' you and your family/friends must help restore order to each area of the carnival before the big evening show.
Can you solve the puzzles and save the carnival?
St George's Arts Centre is pleased to be collaborating with The Panic Room Gravesend to bring you a free, fun packed, immersive experience this Summer.
Guaranteed fun and excitement for all the family.
No need to book, simply come along and join in!
Make your own Sailing Boat with Mona Whitton
Gravesend Town Pier
Set in the beautiful location of Town Pier overlooking the river, Artist Mona Whitton will guide you through the process of creating a decorative boat with wooden base and hand painted, stained glass sails.
Suitable for ages 16+ years
Workshops must be booked in advance.
We aim for our workshops to be as inclusive as possible and invite everyone to attend. However, if the participant has additional needs, please contact us in advance so that we can make our facilitators aware.
Photography and Videography may take place at any of our workshops/events for future advertising. We will always make you aware before we take any photographs, and if we intend to take shots other than completed artwork, backs of heads or hands, then we will always ask you to complete a permission form beforehand. Should you not wish to be photographed at all, please inform the member of staff.
Make your own Driftwood Sailing Boat with Sonnia Montes
Gravesend Town Pier
Artist Sonnia Montes will be delivering a family-friendly art workshop on Gravesend Town Pier, where you’ll design your very own driftwood sailing boat using watercolours and other creative materials.
Perfect for children aged 4 and up.
All materials are included—just bring your creativity and enjoy the journey.
Workshops must be booked in advance.
We aim for our workshops to be as inclusive as possible and invite everyone to attend. However, if the participant has additional needs, please contact us in advance so that we can make our facilitators aware.
Photography and Videography may take place at any of our workshops/events for future advertising. We will always make you aware before we take any photographs, and if we intend to take shots other than completed artwork, backs of heads or hands, then we will always ask you to complete a permission form beforehand. Should you not wish to be photographed at all, please inform the member of staff.
Make your own Driftwood Sailing Boat with Sonnia Montes
Gravesend Town Pier
Artist Sonnia Montes will be delivering a family-friendly art workshop on Gravesend Town Pier, where you’ll design your very own driftwood sailing boat using watercolours and other creative materials.
Perfect for children aged 4 and up.
All materials are included—just bring your creativity and enjoy the journey.
Workshops must be booked in advance.
We aim for our workshops to be as inclusive as possible and invite everyone to attend. However, if the participant has additional needs, please contact us in advance so that we can make our facilitators aware.
Photography and Videography may take place at any of our workshops/events for future advertising. We will always make you aware before we take any photographs, and if we intend to take shots other than completed artwork, backs of heads or hands, then we will always ask you to complete a permission form beforehand. Should you not wish to be photographed at all, please inform the member of staff.
Red Sails Over The Estuary
Gravesend Town Pier
A beautiful exhibition on the history of the iconic Thames Sailing Barge and its association with the estuary.
Pop-Up On The Pier
Gravesend Town Pier
As part of a series of weekends offering different events at The Gravesend Pier, we are excited to be offering a full weekend of activities on the 19th & 20th July.
Saturday 19th July
11am–5pm: Red Sails over the Estuary: An exhibition on the history of the iconic Thames Sailing Barge and its association with the estuary.
2pm: Tim Kenney from the Thames Sailing Barge Trust will be talking about the history of the trust and the work they do to preserve these iconic heritage vessels
3pm–3:45pm & 4:15–5pm: Live music from The Funky Fiddler.
Sunday 20th July
11am–5pm: Red Sails over the Estuary: An exhibition on the history of the iconic Thames Sailing Barge and its association with the estuary.
11am & 1pm - make your own driftwood sailing boat, workshop for kids with Sonnia Montes.
3pm: Create a decorative boat with wooden base and hand painted, stained-glass sails with artist, Mona Whitton
3pm–3:45pm & 4:15–5pm: Live music from acoustic guitarist & singer, Steven Melia.
Eco Eden Exhibition
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
This unique exhibition is the result of four months’ work by a group of Gravesend artists, seeking to work with the community to create a float for the Northfleet Carnival. Using primarily recycled and repurposed materials they have successfully created an Eco paradise populated with beautiful carnival costumes.
Not one to miss!
Adult Workshop Facilitator Call Out: GET CREATIVE Programme Autumn/Winter
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
At the beginning of 2025, we introduced ‘Get Creative’, our new programme of workshops for ages 18+. Each month we hold a workshop that either introduces attendees to a new skill, enhances an existing one or allows them to rediscover the love of an old hobby etc.
We are therefore looking for all different types of creative activities for people to be able to try. This could include, art, craft, creative writing, dance, performance skills, music, floristry, cake decorating, pottery, sculpture, painting, drawing, papercraft, needlework, photography etc… If you have a creative activity then we want to hear from you!
We are particularly keen that these workshops highlight the health benefits of being creative and provide a relaxed and friendly environment for attendees to meet, learn and enjoy. There is no set theme for any of the workshops, but you are welcome to base them on a key occasion if you wish to, so long as the content meets the aims mentioned above.
The majority of the workshops will take place in the workshop area of the café at the St George’s Arts Centre, but depending on the art form, some may take place in other venues.
Dates
The dates are TBC but are likely to be one of the following for each month, so when submitting your proposal, please let us know your availability on the following dates:
October 2025: Sat 4th, Sat 11th, Sat 25th (All AM)
November 2025: Weekdays: 5th - 7th, 12th - 14th, 19th - 21st (All PM)
December 2025: Weekdays: 3rd – 5th, 10th – 12th (All AM)
January 2026: Sat 3rd, Sat 10th, Sat 17th (All AM)
February 2026: Weekdays: 4th – 6th, 11th – 13th, 18th – 20th (All PM)
March 2026: Weekdays: 4th – 6th, 11th – 13th (All AM)
Please note, we are trialling different days of the week, mornings/afternoons to make the workshops as accessible to as many different people as possible. Workshops should last between 1.5- 2 hours and will be for a maximum of 10 participants per session. Please advise us how long your workshop will last.
Fee
The fee for individual workshops is £85 plus materials. The budget for the materials must be agreed in advance and we therefore request that you include this in your workshop proposal. Please note, we do not pay extra for travel or parking costs etc.
Insurance/Documentation
To be able to facilitate a workshop for us, you will need to have public liability insurance to cover the activity, and we will request a copy of your documentation in advance. Please ensure that your insurance covers the date of the workshop. We will also require you to carry out a risk assessment to be submitted prior to the workshop.
Proposals
If you would like to apply to facilitate a workshop, please send your proposal(s) to artsandculture@gravesham.gov.uk with the following:
· Description
· Material costs
· Images if possible
· Short bio of your previous work/experience (only if you haven’t worked with us before)
Please do not send your proposals to individual members of staff.
Selection
After the deadline closes, proposals will go before a panel to be considered. If you are successful, you will be sent a contract and we will request a non-copyright image of the activity and accompanying text asap for marketing purposes. Please note that images must be high-res and therefore a minimum of 2mb-3mb in size.
Please allow a couple of weeks to hear back from us after the deadline has closed. Deadline for proposals: 11.59pm Sunday 24th August 2025
We look forward to hearing from you.
Create & Illustrate - Friendships By The River
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
St George's Arts Centre is pleased to collaborate with Artist & Writer, Nadia Perrotta in bringing this exhibition, Friendship by the River to the Arts Centre.
Nadia worked with students from three local primary schools; Lawn Primary, Cecil Road Primary and Springhead Primary.
Friendship by the River draws inspiration from Gravesend’s rich identity as a riverside town — a place where stories, cultures, and people have long flowed together. Through the lens of friendship and connection, this project invites primary school students to explore imaginative storytelling using the Japanese Yonkoma format: a four-panel comic structure.
This project combines creative writing and illustration in an accessible, culturally rich format that promotes self-expression, visual communication, and narrative structure.
The Dockyard & Ship Repair at Sheerness - Photographic Exhibition
Gravesend Town Pier
This Exhibition of photographs from Martin Verrier on display at the Town Pier with the river as the backdrop is not be missed.
The core photographs of this exhibition feature a range of river craft refitting at Sheerness. These include river and ocean going tugs from the rivers Thames and Medway, coasters and sand dredgers. All the photographs are taken at the Medway Dry Dock & Engineering Co Ltd, within the Port of Sheerness from the late 1970's through to 1993 .
The operation of docking and undocking a vessel is captured, revealing the procedure of safely dry - docking a ship and acknowledging the skills of a team of shipwrights who would execute this demanding process.
At Sheerness there were dry docks available for many vessels that could not be accepted on a slipway. This occurs because of the configuration of their underwater propulsion units, which are clearly seen with the maintenance work in progress.
Dock gates (operated manually) at Sheerness, required the majority of the workforce to rotate the dockside capstans to open and close them. As a substitute for these gates a caisson was fitted to one dock. Both these methods are shown in operation in the photographs.
General views of the Port of Sheerness are on display and provide a sense of location for the ship repair yard.
The exhibition is on display with free admission on the 28th from 11am - 7:30pm and the 29th from 11am - 4:30pm.
Martin will be giving a talk on the 28th June during his exhibition about the photographs and the many interesting stories that go along with them. To book your place: https://woodville.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173660218