Clacton Arts Centre gallery to celebrate first anniversary

The Clacton Arts Centre, which launched in September 2024, became a hub for artists and culture enthusiasts, with more than 4,700 visitors in the first six months.

Originally intended as a one-month exhibition showing the work of 20 artists from the area, the popularity and ongoing support for the project allowed it to continue.

Councillor Dan Casey opening the pop-up exhibition last year (Image: Clacton Arts Centre) The gallery now showcases the work of 34 artists, with more on a waiting list.

The centre will celebrate its first anniversary at the gallery from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, September 5.

The event will feature live demonstrations by some of the centre’s artists, who will be available for informal chats about their work and process

A spokesperson for the Clacton Arts Centre said: “We can’t wait to celebrate this special occasion with our supporters, artists, and the wider community, and to continue bringing high-quality, locally-made art to Clacton.”

This year, the centre has hosted several free art workshops, sponsored by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and attracted 128 participants, aged 13 to 89.

The sessions proved so popular they could have been held twice over.

The centre’s spokesperson said: “Feedback through comments and forms clearly demonstrated a strong community need and appreciation for the gallery space.”

The centre also hosted the weekend event ‘Colourscape’ by Eye Music in October 2024, an interactive experience where participants create and control sound, music, and colour changes using a range of movement and touch sensors.

This event is set to return this October.

A private donation in May secured the premises’ rent for a year, ensuring the centre’s continuation as a creative platform for local artists.

The exhibition space has become a place of peaceful inspiration, featuring diverse artwork and offering affordable creative classes for the community.

These include classes in gouache, watercolour, fused glass, needle felting, embroidery, acrylics, pottery painting, and card making.

The Clacton Arts Centre spokesperson said: “These classes are building momentum and becoming extremely popular.

“They cater for the complete novice to those with more experience wanting to improve and learn.”.

The centre has also received a government grant which will go towards a new sign and a shutter mural.

For details on art classes and events, visit Clacton Art Gallery’s Facebook page.