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.
GET CREATIVE – Vinyl Record Decorating - Gravesham Fringe Special
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Get Creative – Workshops for Adults
Our programme of monthly creative workshops for adults to learn new skills, enhance existing ones or rekindle the love of an old hobby.
Meet, Learn, Create, Enjoy
Each month we offer you a different activity to try which hopefully you will want to continue with at home.
The workshops are designed to bring people together, learn skills, have fun and connect with each other. We aim for the sessions to be relaxed, friendly and offer a space where people’s creativity can flow. All are welcome (ages 18+ only) with no specific level of skill required.
Gravesham Fringe Festival – Vinyl Record Decorating
Join Libbie for a relaxed vinyl record decorating workshop to transform your own 7” record into a unique piece of wall art.
During this 1.5-hour workshop, you will sketch out your design and use an array of acrylic paints and paint pens to bring it to life.
Please come with some inspiration photos to help any potential creative nerves.
Facilitator: Libbie – L Watson Design
Ages 18+ only
Workshops must be booked in advance.
Clubbs Yard - Open Studios
CLUBB'S YARD, May Avenue, Gravesend DA11 8RH
Clubb’s Yard Studios launched in April 2024 to provide professional creative studios to artists, creative practitioners and small businesses at an affordable and sustainable rate. Clubb’s Yard Studios welcomes the public to visit their open studios. Come and explore the space, meet the artists and be inspired.
Clubb’s Yard Studios will be open on both weekends of the Fringe from 11am-4pm.
Teen Age Riot: A Story of Local Skateboarding
CLUBB'S YARD, May Avenue, Gravesend DA11 8RH
A celebration of skate culture, creativity, and community, Teen Age Riot shines a spotlight on the local skateboarding scene through photography, stories, and shared experience.
Hosted at Clubb’s Yard Studios, the exhibition features a collection of photography capturing the energy, individuality, and spirit of skateboarding in and around Gravesend by photographer Sam Wainwright. From street sessions and hidden spots to portraits and candid moments, the work documents a culture shaped by movement, friendship, and self-expression.
Alongside the exhibition, a special skate market will take place on Saturday 30 May, with merchandise available from Altar, a Kent-based skateboard company.
Whether you’re part of the skate scene or simply curious about the culture surrounding it, Teen Age Riot offers a vibrant glimpse into a creative local community.
GET CREATIVE – Singing Mamas - Gravesham Fringe Special
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Get Creative – Workshops for Adults
Our programme of monthly creative workshops for adults to learn new skills, enhance existing ones or rekindle the love of an old hobby.
Meet, Learn, Create, Enjoy
Each month we offer you a different activity to try which hopefully you will want to continue with at home.
The workshops are designed to bring people together, learn skills, have fun and connect with each other. We aim for the sessions to be relaxed, friendly and offer a space where people’s creativity can flow. All are welcome (ages 18+ only) with no specific level of skill required.
Gravesham Fringe Festival – Singing Mamas
Come and sing with Marianna in this workshop singing for your wellbeing. In this Singing Mamas session we will sing a variety of songs, all taught by ear, to make us feel good.
Women of all ages and stages are welcome - bring a baby, a little one or just come by yourself. No prior singing experience is required - we're singing for connection not perfection and if you can talk you can sing! Singing together in this way connects us, boosts those feel good hormones and reduces stress as well as regulating our breathing and heart rates.
We'll sing for around an hour and then have an opportunity at the end to connect over a hot drink - refreshments included.
Facilitator: Marianna Stone
Ages 18+ only
Workshops must be booked in advance.
Workshop lasts approx. 1.5 hours
GET CREATIVE – A Beginners Guide to Performing with Half-Masks! Gravesham Fringe Special
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Get Creative – Workshops for Adults
Our programme of monthly creative workshops for adults to learn new skills, enhance existing ones or rekindle the love of an old hobby.
Meet, Learn, Create, Enjoy
Each month we offer you a different activity to try which hopefully you will want to continue with at home.
The workshops are designed to bring people together, learn skills, have fun and connect with each other. We aim for the sessions to be relaxed, friendly and offer a space where people’s creativity can flow. All are welcome (ages 18+ only) with no specific level of skill required.
Gravesham Fringe Festival - A Beginners Guide to Performing with half-masks!
Ever wanted to find out what it’s like to be a completely different character! This accessible and fun workshop will be suitable for those with no performance background as well as those already with some drama experience. Using a mix of games and exercises and a set of bespoke latex half masks we will explore how to use our bodies and voices expressively, how to be playful and spontaneous, how to create effective characterisation and simple scenarios and how to work well as part of a creative ensemble. This workshop will be playful, lively and a lot of fun…bring your energy with you!
Facilitator: Jonny Dixon
Ages 18+ only
Workshops must be booked in advance.
Workshop lasts approx. 1.45mins
Got Something to Say? T Shirt Design session
St George’s Arts Centre
Make Your Statement: Design a Bold 80s Slogan T-shirt
Ever wanted to wear your words? Now’s your chance.
Join us for a drop-in design session where you’ll create your own powerful slogan t-shirt inspired by Katherine Hamnett—the Gravesend-born designer who literally changed fashion by putting activism onto fabric. Design studio Second Opinion will be set up in the Arts Centre from 2-4pm – drop in anytime.
We’ll help you mock up your ideas in a strong graphic style and then we’ll select our ten favourite designs to print up.
Fashion isn’t just about looking good—it’s about speaking up. Whether you’re 8 or 80, your words deserve to be heard. This session celebrates that spirit.
Clubbs Yard - Open Studios
CLUBB'S YARD, May Avenue, Gravesend DA11 8RH
Clubb’s Yard Studios launched in April 2024 to provide professional creative studios to artists, creative practitioners and small businesses at an affordable and sustainable rate. Clubb’s Yard Studios welcomes the public to visit their open studios. Come and explore the space, meet the artists and be inspired.
Clubb’s Yard Studios will be open on both weekends of the Fringe from 11am-4pm.
Teen Age Riot: A Story of Local Skateboarding
CLUBB'S YARD, May Avenue, Gravesend DA11 8RH
A celebration of skate culture, creativity, and community, Teen Age Riot shines a spotlight on the local skateboarding scene through photography, stories, and shared experience.
Hosted at Clubb’s Yard Studios, the exhibition features a collection of photography capturing the energy, individuality, and spirit of skateboarding in and around Gravesend by photographer Sam Wainwright. From street sessions and hidden spots to portraits and candid moments, the work documents a culture shaped by movement, friendship, and self-expression.
Alongside the exhibition, a special skate market will take place on Saturday 30 May, with merchandise available from Altar, a Kent-based skateboard company.
Whether you’re part of the skate scene or simply curious about the culture surrounding it, Teen Age Riot offers a vibrant glimpse into a creative local community.
Exhibition: Harriet Hammond
St George’s Arts Centre
Harriet Hammond will be exhibiting work at St George’s Arts Centre for the duration of the Fringe festival, among a number of other brilliant local artists!
Please note the gallery is closed on Mondays.
Exhibition: Victoria Printmakers at Munn’s
Munns of Gravesend, Windmill St
An exhibition by the Victoria Printmakers at Munn’s! Come and take a look at some amazing prints by incredible local artists, & perhaps even buy one for yourself (purchases between 11am-2pm).
This exhibit is open from 10am-3pm, Monday-Saturday. Free to enter!
Exhibition: Steve Knowles
St George’s Arts Centre
Steve Knowles will be exhibiting work at St George’s Arts Centre for the duration of the Fringe festival, among a number of other brilliant local artists!
Please note the gallery is closed on Mondays.
Exhibition: North Kent Embroiderers
St George’s Arts Centre, Gravesend
North Kent Embroiderers will be exhibiting work at St George’s Arts Centre for the duration of the Fringe festival, among a number of other brilliant local artists!
Please note the gallery is closed on Mondays.
Art on the Railings
St George’s Church Gardens
St George’s Church Gardens becomes an open-air gallery as the Gravesend Art Group presents Art on the Railings — a vibrant outdoor exhibition celebrating local creativity.
Wander through the gardens and discover a diverse collection of artwork displayed along the railings, showcasing the talent, imagination and individuality of artists from across the community. From bold contemporary pieces to delicate, detailed studies, the exhibition offers something new to enjoy at every turn.
Set in the peaceful surroundings of St George’s Church Gardens, this free Fringe installation invites visitors to pause, explore, and experience art in an informal, accessible setting right in the heart of Gravesend.
Exhibition: James Howard
St George’s Arts Centre
James Howard will be exhibiting work at St George’s Arts Centre for the duration of the Fringe festival, among a number of other brilliant local artists!
Please note the gallery is closed on Mondays.
Local Ceramics Exhibition: The Wonky Potter Studios
Munns of Gravesend, Windmill Street
Naomi Boyle (AKA The Wonky Potter) will be exhibiting stunning ceramic works in Munn’s, alongside some of her students.
Come along and see this beautiful work by local artists. You can also find out more about classes if you are inspired to create!
Featuring work from the Wonky Potter Studios by Claire Mash, Kate Woodlock and Naomi Boyle.
Naomi will also be doing throwing demonstrations in Clubb’s Yard as part of their Open Studios on the 6th June between 2-4pm.
Exhibition: Tess Carey
St George’s Arts Centre
Tess Carey will be exhibiting work at St George’s Arts Centre for the duration of the Fringe festival, among a number of other brilliant local artists!
Please note the gallery is closed on Mondays.
Exhibition: Elle Tennyson
St George’s Arts Centre
Elle Tennyson will be exhibiting work at St George’s Arts Centre for the duration of the Fringe festival, among a number of other brilliant local artists!
Please note the gallery is closed on Mondays.
A Day in the Life: Photography Open Call
The Gravesham Fringe and The Gravesham Grapevine present ‘A Day In The Life - Photography Open Call’
Photographers of all ages and abilities are invited to help document Gravesham’s rapidly changing Borough over a unique twenty four hour period.
The collective work will form part of an ongoing digital archive that will hopefully be added to every year in order to create a long term visual history of our town and borough.
Take a photo in our borough anytime on Saturday 30th May and send it to: mark@seekasecondopinion.com – an online gallery will then be produced.
Step Out & Innovate - Celebrating World Creativity Day with Mural Art
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
21st April 2026 is World Creativity & Innovation Day. Theme: ‘Step out & Innovate’
Four different artists have created different murals to hang in the St George’s Arts Centre to celebrate World Creativity Day, honouring creativity as a driving force for cultural expression, innovation, and social connection. The project brings together artists to create large-scale wall murals using a variety of mediums, transforming walls into bold visual statements that reflect the power and diversity of creative thinking.
Together, the murals will form a dynamic exhibition celebrating creativity as a vital force that shapes communities, ideas, and the future.
The artists will be on site from Tuesday the 21st – Friday 24th April to create their murals within the gallery space. The gallery will be open to the public during this time so that the creative process can be seen.
GET CREATIVE – Block Printing on Fabric
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Get Creative – Workshops for Adults
Our programme of monthly creative workshops for adults to learn new skills, enhance existing ones or rekindle the love of an old hobby.
Meet, Learn, Create, Enjoy
Each month we offer you a different activity to try which hopefully you will want to continue with at home.
The workshops are designed to bring people together, learn skills, have fun and connect with each other. We aim for the sessions to be relaxed, friendly and offer a space where people’s creativity can flow. All are welcome (ages 18+ only) with no specific level of skill required.
May: Block Printing on Fabric
A 1.5 – 2-hour workshop using printing blocks to decorate fabric.
Lots of small printing blocks and a selection of fabric squares will be provided to experiment on. The facilitator will show you how to print patterns and overprint designs in different colours. The backgrounds, patterns and pictures can also be coloured in with fabric pastels.
There should be time to try out several patterns and designs on fabric pieces to take home.
Please bring an apron and wear old clothes as printing can get messy. Wear gloves if necessary to protect your hands.
Fabric printing ink and acrylic paint dries fairly quickly but you will need to bring a folder or similar to carry your pieces away. The fabric should then be ironed at home to fix the ink. You can then use the fabric for other textile projects or just admire them...
Ages 18+ only
Workshops must be booked in advance.
Facilitated by Judith De St Croix
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.
MURALS - An Urban Art Workshop celebrating World Creativity Day
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
In this workshop, the artist, Eduard Sacrest, will be inviting participants to explore painting around themes of creativity and the things that inspire us, whether it’s music, books, our pets, or the little moments and objects that make us feel happy and present.
The session celebrates the everyday things that make each of us unique. Participants will take part in an urban art workshop focused on the stencil technique, where we will design, draw, and cut out our own stencils, and then bring them to life with spray paint. Never used spray paint before? No problem!
This will be a fun and engaging experience. No prior experience is needed, just bring your energy and your ideas, and let’s create together.
Suitable for ages 18+
GET CREATIVE – Mid Century Masterpiece
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Get Creative – Workshops for Adults
Our programme of monthly creative workshops for adults to learn new skills, enhance existing ones or rekindle the love of an old hobby.
Meet, Learn, Create, Enjoy
Each month we offer you a different activity to try which hopefully you will want to continue with at home.
The workshops are designed to bring people together, learn skills, have fun and connect with each other. We aim for the sessions to be relaxed, friendly and offer a space where people’s creativity can flow. All are welcome (ages 18+ only) with no specific level of skill required.
April: Mid Century Masterpiece
In this workshop inspired by a 1951 painting by Ellsworth Kelly, you will paint, cut, collage and use the laws of chance to create unexpected compositions. With free and energetic brushstrokes, you will create your own abstract, mid-century style masterpiece. Guided by Donna (@noama.art), in a friendly, non-judgemental environment.
Open to all, no artistic experience required. This workshop is about curiosity and discovering what we can create when we allow ourselves to play.
All materials will be provided, including paper, non-toxic paints, pencils, scissors, rulers and glue. You are welcome to bring along any found papers that you wish to recycle, these could be packaging papers, paper bags, or any paper substrate that is plain enough to paint on.
At the end of the workshop, you can take your masterpiece(s) home, to infuse some mid-century style to your interior.
Facilitator: Donna - NOAMA Art
Ages 18+ only
Workshops must be booked in advance.
Workshop lasts approx. 1.5 hours.
Celebrating Vaisakhi Exhibition
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
Come and absorb the colour and joy of the Seikh celebration of Vaisakhi in this unique and exciting textiles exhibition.
Immerse yourself in the pieces created by participants of the art group at the Sri Guru Nanak Gurdwara Wellbeing Centre led by artist, Mona Whitton. Truly a joyous experience.
Riverside Festival 2026 – Workshop Facilitator Callout
We are looking to appoint up to 3 creatives to run family art & craft workshops at this year’s Riverside Festival which takes place on Saturday 4th July 2026.
The workshops will be based in a marquee in the Fort Gardens, Gravesend, alongside other family activities.
The workshops will run from 11am – 4pm as drop-in sessions rather than time specific workshops. They should therefore be designed with the following in mind:
· Simple, fun and engaging for all ages and abilities
· Quick turnaround, lasting around 5 -10 mins (15 mins max)
· Using low-cost materials
We will provide you with tables and some chairs, although we foresee the majority of participants standing whilst carrying out the activity.
Theme
We are keen for the workshops to have a sense of whimsy, and therefore include any of the following themes of mythical, enchantment, fairytales, whimsical, nature, enchanted forest, eco, woodland, magical etc.
For example…
· Wand Making
· Crown Making
· Willow Dragonflies
· Fairy Doors
· Dream Catcher
· Paint a plant pot etc.
However, the most important part is that the activity is fun and engaging yet simplistic, so we have kept the theme broad and are open to interpretations.
The Role
As the facilitator, you will be responsible for:
· Devising the workshop for 125 participants
· Sourcing materials for 125 participants
· Setting up and clearing away after the session
· Running the workshop and helping participants where appropriate.
· Providing your own help/assistance.
· Providing the Arts and Culture team with a copy of your up-to-date liability insurance and an appropriate a risk assessment before the workshop.
· We also require confirmation of whether you hold a current DBS or not.
The fee
The total fee is £350 which covers both the artist fee and all materials.
How to apply: Submit proposals to artsandculture@gravesham.gov.ukdetailing your proposed craft, materials list and budget, and attach any photos/images if possible. If we haven’t worked with you before, please also provide any details of your experience facilitating drop-in style workshops with large volumes of attendees.
Deadline for Submissions: Monday 25th May 2026 11.59pm
Selection: A selection panel will review submissions anonymously and up to 3 proposals will be chosen. You will be contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date with the panel’s decision.
Criteria: Proposals will be marked on the following criteria in response to the brief:
· Suitability for a variety of ages and abilities
· Simplicity
· Engagement level
· Time
· Suitability of suggested materials
· Materials budget
· Theme
· Feasibility of overall workshop
· Experience of delivering this type of activity
Tiny Steps, Distant Places - Photographic Exhibition
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
An exhibition that captures the world through a young photographer's lens.
Aged 7, Varda has been capturing places all over the world through her lens for the past 3 years.
Her collection explores the beauty of architecture, the serenity of nature, the character of restaurant interiors, and the grandeur of cathedrals — all seen from her unique and imaginative perspective.
Wherever we may be in the world - we all share the same planet and the beauty of life.
With a natural eye for detail, light, and composition, her photographs invite viewers to rediscover everyday spaces through the fresh and curious vision of a child.
Workshop: Learn To Use Your Sewing Machine
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
This 2 hour workshop, led by Mona Whitton, will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with your sewing machine.
You will thread your machine, adjust the stitches and create a button hole.
By the end of the session you will have made a simple cushion cover.
You will need to bring your own sewing machine and if you have a specific fabric choice, 1/2m of fabric.
Suitable for ages 16+
Workshop: Learn To Use Your Sewing Machine
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
This 2 hour workshop, led by Mona Whitton, will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with your sewing machine.
You will thread your machine, adjust the stitches and create a button hole.
By the end of the session you will have made a simple cushion cover.
You will need to bring your own sewing machine and if you have a specific fabric choice, 1/2m of fabric.
Suitable for ages 16+
Mad March Cosplay Exhibition
St George’s Arts Centre, St George’s Shopping Centre, Gravesend
An exhibition by local artist and cosplayer, Andy Hopton aka Mad March Hare.
On display will be five costumes created by Andy based around pop culture phenomena including STAR WARS, WARHAMMER and STEAMPUNK. Rather than directly copy an outfit from any given universe, Andy prefers to create his own while sticking to the aesthetic and “rules” of the given subject.
You will be able to read all about the “story” behind each creation as well as the techniques involved. Using existing garments, 3d printing, scratch building, and improvisation amazing life like costumes can be created.
Andy will also be in the gallery working on his latest project from the Lord of the Rings. You can drop in a chat about the methods and ideas behind the creation. Andy will be joined by his good friend and movie expert Neil. Neil creates scratch built props from action movies using everyday objects and his imagination.
Exhibition of Local Historical Photographs
St Mary's Church Room, Sole Street DA12 3AX
All welcome to enjoy an 'Exhibition of Local Historical Photographs' at St Mary's Church Room.
The exhibition is supporting St Mary's Church Room.
Entry £5, children free.
Enquiries - sally.kimber@btinternet.com and suerowe42@gmail.com