The Horsebridge Arts Centre

Join Faversham artist Anne Davison for a high energy, hands on collage workshop on Friday 24 July, 10am–4pm. You will be inspired to ditch the rulebook and dive headfirst into creative mark-making. You'll hand print, mono-print and create your own textured papers from scratch, then spend the day cutting, ripping and layering them into bold, one of a kind compositions full of contrast and scale.

Whether you're a complete beginner or have some collage experience, you'll leave with the skills and confidence to continue exploring collage independently and creatively. This one day workshop cost £80 and all materials are provided. Booking is essential via the studio sessions link on our website, by phoning 01227281174 or by dropping into reception.

Would you like to create your own harbour scene painting? This Saturday 20th June, join artist and tutor Kim O'Neil for her Abstract Harbour Scene workshop, 10:30am to 3pm. This exciting and immersive one day acrylic painting workshop focuses on building a lively, atmospheric harbour composition. You'll learn to suggest boats, reflections and movement through abstraction to create a bustling, characterful coastal scene. The workshop costs £60 per person, is aimed at adults and booking is essential to secure your place. Book via the studio session link in on our website, by calling into The Horsebridge or phone on 01227281174.

Now on in both our galleries SIX Exhibition returns, bringing together twelve contemporary artists with distinct creative approaches. The exhibition highlights the individuality of each practice while celebrating the diversity of artistic mediums. Featuring photography, printmaking, ceramics, woodwork, painting and drawing the exhibition presents a broad range of artistic expression. Spanning both galleries, SIX Exhibition offers visitors an engaging selection of contemporary work.
The exhibition runs until 29th June.

So … we have a pledge from KCC of £3,589 for our amazing project (all those details below) BUT we only receive this pledge if we reached our target. Thanks to amazing backers we are 65% there, but we don’t have long left! Please can you support at https://spacehive.com/making-space-for-young-women.

That is less than £1 from every follower, so if you can’t donate, please can you re-post and help us reach more people?

At the Horsebridge, we believe creativity can change lives.
Every week we meet and support people who feel overlooked, young people struggling to fit in at school, isolated teenagers dealing with anxiety and young women carrying pressures they often feel unable to talk about.

Using this knowledge and the experience of Liz Atkin, we have designed this project especially for young women aged 16-18, particularly those facing financial disadvantage or emotional challenges, to come together in a safe, welcoming creative space.

Over 14 artist-led sessions, participants will experiment with drawing, photography, collaborative making and creative discussion. Together they will shape the project themselves, creating artwork that reflects their experiences, worries, hopes and identities.
 
The project is not simply about making art, it is about building confidence, friendships and resilience. It is about helping young women understand that their voices matter.
 
At the end of the programme, the artwork will be exhibited in a two-week public exhibition at the Horsebridge Gallery, celebrating the creativity and courage of the young people involved. The exhibition will also include photographs documenting the journey and peer-led workshops for other local young people.
 
We know from experience that projects like this can have a profound impact. Creative activity reduces loneliness, supports mental wellbeing and helps people feel part of something bigger than themselves. When young people see their work displayed publicly and appreciated by others, it can completely change how they see themselves.

Join us for an educational Art and Artist talk on Thursday, 18th June, 1:30pm-3:30pm featuring 'Seurat and His Dots.'

This session explores Georges Seurat, who is famous for one thing, little dots of paint. This talk is about all the other things he did; examining how he revolutionised painting techniques and created some of art history's most significant masterpieces.
Richard Dean, a practising artist and experienced lecturer, will guide participants through this weeks discussion. The learning environment is designed to be accessible for beginners and intermediate students. Tickets: £10 (£9 for Friends).
To secure your place, book via our website's talks and events section, call 01227 281174, or visit the centre in person.

Join artist and tutor Kim O'Neil for an exciting one day workshop: Abstract Beach Hut Painting on Saturday, 18th July, 10:30am–3pm. Create a playful, painterly abstract beach hut artwork using acrylics and expressive mark-making. You'll explore colour, structure and texture to bring a sense of seaside charm and summer light into your painting. This workshop costs £60 and is aimed at adults. Booking is essential, visit the studio sessions link on our website, drop into reception or call 01227281174.

Don't miss our upcoming matinee showing of Song Sung Blue on Monday, 22nd June from 2-4:15pm. This biographical musical drama tells the story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a Milwaukee couple who achieved unexpected fame as a Neil Diamond tribute act called "Lightning & Thunder". The film explores their love story, career challenges and personal hardships, including a devastating car accident resulting in amputation. Directred by Craig Brewer and featuring Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson and Ella Anderson, this gripping narrative will move you with its profound emotional resonance and spectacular musical performances. Admission is £6 standard or £5 for early bird tickets, and advance booking is required. Reserve your seats via the film link on our website, visit reception in person, or ring 01227281174.

Experience an evening of captivating jazz fusion with Martin Speake's Charukesi at The Horsebridge, Sunday 28th June. For 30 years, alto saxophonist, composer and improviser Martin Speake has been pushing musical boundaries by blending non-Western rhythmic and melodic approaches from Indian, Arabic, Turkish, African and jazz traditions. His latest project, Charukesi, named after an Indian raga, delivers direct, groove based music with unforgettable melodies anchored by a dynamic tuba and drums rhythm section, complemented by impassioned soloing and interaction between Alyson's tenor and Martin's alto saxophone. Martin is joined by three talented musicians: Alyson Cawley playing the tenor saxophone, Richard Fox on the tuba and Tom Hooper on drums. The performance takes place from 5pm to 7pm, with the bar opening at 4pm. Tickets cost £17.50 or £15 for Friends. Book now: visit our website, call into The Horsebridge or phone 01227 282174 to secure your tickets for an unforgettable evening of innovative jazz!

Now on in Gallery 1, Three Ways Forward, a stunning showcase of paintings by Derek Marks. This exhibition embraces the footsteps we are all about to take, for Derek it is an affirmation of positive projection, movement and interaction. Over the years the artist has often depicted two, sometimes several figures in the same painting, but three being an odd number reflects his thoughts on unlikely and challenging relationships.
Join Derek for a meet the artist event on Saturday 13th June from 12–4pm in the gallery.

Gallery 2 features Shoreline, a beautiful exhibition by Lindsay Wilkinson and Irene Southon exploring the colours and textures of the East Kent coastline, particularly around Whitstable. Lindsay Wilkinson creates distinctive artworks based on water patterns and coastal wildlife observed along the north Kent shoreline. She also produces practical pieces, sculptural works and limited-edition photographs. Irene Southon creates fused glass homewares and artworks inspired by the Whitstable coastline.
Both exhibitions run until 15th June.

For one night only, on June 20th, Graham Birrell is bringing his sell out, true crime story of a real life murder investigation in Whitstable that shocked the country.
The ultimate doomed love triangle , a bankrupt pl***oy, his glamorous wife and an international sports star. One of them is destined to die....in sleepy Whitstable.
This is the incredible true story of a murder investigation that caused a national and international sensation. In a night of interactive true crime, the audience becomes the jury for the night and examines the same evidence presented at the original trial…will you find the prime suspect guilty or not guilty?
Show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £15 (or £14 for Friends) recommended for age 14+.
Book via https://thehorsebridge.org.uk/talks-events/very-whitstable-murder-interactive-evening-true-crime, by calling 01227 281174 or drop into reception.