Mix-media artist, Joan Glasgow-Ashton hosts a relaxed & fun collage and painting workshop. Participants can create one A3 collage on paper or larger on cardboard either individually or as a pair. They can then play with painting directly onto the collage or use the collage image to create a whole new painting.

Following the workshop participants can choose to submit their work to be part of the festival community exhibition.

Joan incorporates embroidery, lino print, sculpture and ceramics within her work.

"Art and making enriches and balances my life, gives me a way to express myself and is therapeutic and calming."

Join Debra Watson, founder of The Wild Poets, for a development workshop turning poetry into multi-sensory experiences for audiences.

Bring your own nature writing, or other writing to explore. Prompts will also be available on the day. Attendees at this workshop will have an opportunity to practice performing the multi-sensory on May 18th at The Curious Invitation: ‘If you go down to the woods today’ in Speckled Wood

Debra Watson has a background in participative theatre and was the founder of Participative Theatre, Art and Media Charity, Metaplay 2005-2020. She has developed 1-2-1 public art experiences in parks and public spaces working both alone and with collectives.

Listen to patterns in this magical music box class on the Compound bus!

This workshop by Pocket Studio Photography creates a safe, creative space for teenagers to explore different aspects of their personality through professional portrait photography.

By stepping both behind and in front of the camera, participants discover how lighting and perspective can reveal character and emotion in ways that social media filters cannot.

Kate Butts is a portrait photographer with a masters degree in Film. She runs "Pocket studio Photography" based in Hastings and loves experimenting, thrives on creativity and enjoys meeting people.

Step into the studio and explore the fascinating world of portrait photography from both sides of the camera. This 90-minute workshop by Pocket Studio Photography invites you to discover how lighting, posing, and expression can transform an image.

Kate Butts is a portrait photographer with a masters degree in Film. She runs "Pocket studio Photography" based in Hastings and loves experimenting, thrives on creativity and enjoys meeting people.

🌟 Embark on an Adventure: Join Us for the Launch of Play the Town! 🌟

Get ready to unlock the magic of art and exploration on April 30th with the exciting launch of Play the Town, an interactive treasure trail that will transform our town into a vibrant canvas of creativity!

Curious Agenda will be collaborating with the seminal Hastings event Jack in the Green this May! Come and celebrate the slaying of Jack with us. We are running games for all ages up on the West Hill - crazy golf, Stack in the Green and more.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

Explore a world of colour, texture and imagination with this hands on creative playdate for adults! In this interactive and playful art workshop, we’ll return to a childlike sense of fun and exploration with scribbles, collage, cut-outs, and drawing. From abstract doodles to layered collage designs, your hands will lead the way as you create your own unique piece of art.

The best part? Each piece you make will become part of a larger, evolving interactive artwork that will grow throughout the Curious Town Plays exhibition in St Andrews Mews. As you add your work to the collaborative masterpiece, you’ll see how your creativity can connect with others, turning individual expressions into a vibrant, collective creation.

No experience needed—just bring your curiosity, an open heart, and your hands ready to play! Whether you're an experienced artist or just looking to have some fun, this workshop is all about letting your creativity flow freely and seeing where your hands can take you.

Clair Rowe is a multi-disciplinary artist and workshop facilitator living in St Leonards. She works with a range of mediums, with a particular love of sacred geometry and abstract painting.

With a background in mental health recovery and community support for over 25 years, Clair is also trained as a Creative Counsellor, an approach that uses image work to bring the unconscious into conscious awareness. Clair is devoted to using creativity in everyday life as a tool for self-care and personal awareness. She offers art journaling workshops and 121 sessions that create a relaxed and nurturing space to explore whatever needs to be witnessed.

Alongside the more therapeutic practices, she also offers a range of fun and accessible workshops to for folks to try out a new technique or medium.

All Aboard The Game Bus!

Step aboard a one-of-a-kind gaming destination for a day and night of board game antics, team challenges, and non-stop fun! On May 10th, a refurbished double-decker bus in Bexhill transforms into the ultimate pop-up games café, with tables set for laughter, friendly competition, and a bit of organised gaming chaos. With two sittings—daytime for families and evening for adults-only—you can choose the perfect time to roll the dice, test your wits, and dive into a world of play. The on-board café will be serving up tasty bites and drinks, with a cheeky tipple available for our grown-up guests in the evening.

Leading the fun is Peter Jenkinson, aka The Toyologist, a true expert in all things play. With years of experience testing, reviewing, and championing the best games around, Peter has written for national publications, co-founded the Board Game Club, and built a career out of finding the most engaging and innovative ways to play. If anyone knows how to turn a game night into an unforgettable experience, it’s him!

🎟 Grab your tickets now and let the games begin!

In this fun and exploratory workshop, Charlotte will support you to experiment with several different printmaking methods- monoprinting, gelli printing and collograph to create a variety of vibrant and painterly effects.

There will be an option to experiment with layering different printmaking methods and even drawing within the same composition to build up exciting textures and there will be a variety of paper surfaces to experiment on.

Playfulness is at the very heart of printmaking, which can be most successful when it embraces spontaneity - "mistakes" often make the magic happen!

Charlotte has taught printmaking in Adult Education, to children and young people and led workshops in dementia settings.

Adults and Young People 13+

A playful and fun introduction to the art of burlesque with a focus on promoting body positivity and taking up SPACE. Suitable for all genders and ages (+18) - no need to take off anything but your gloves! Beginner friendly and no dance experience required.

No stripping required. Please wear comfortable clothes such as leggings and t-shirt. Heels are acceptable, otherwise please wear trainers or bare feet.

"Pupin’s classes are warm, supportive and fun, and you will never be pushed to step out of your comfort zone (although I suggest you do: it’s so liberating!)"

This is a colourful, fun and creative workshop with Brazilian artist Gilda Silva.

Decorate your own tropical bird and learn about their habitat, birds symbolism, listen to fascinating stories about tropical birds and their important contribution for maintaining our planet green.

Hosted by the dynamic Richard Vranch, improv games provide the opportunity to be silly and creative in equal measure through listening, cooperation and play. Suitable for all curious people - no performing experience is required.

Richard Vranch began writing and performing comedy in a double-act with Tony Slattery in 1981. He has been hosting improv workshops for many years and he improvises comedy in Guiness World Record holding The Comedy Store Players every Sunday. He has travelled the world with the Stephen Frost Impro Allstars and he was one of Paul Merton’s Impro Chums. He has improvised stories on Jackanory (BBC1) with Sylvester McCoy.

Richard also performs as a stand-up comic and actor, and he's written for theatre and film. Richard's voice can be heard on adverts and documentaries. He presented the popular science series Beat That Einstein (Channel 4) and appeared on The Weakest Link Doctors’ Special, as well as appearing a regular on Whose Line is it Anyway?. He has appeared on Just a Minute and The Infinite Monkey Cage on BBC Radio 4.

A mysterious encounter is afoot in the beautiful Speckled Wood... In devotion to our own intrinsic and ancient wildness, and to the sentience of the magnificent, sprawling abundance of ecology all around, we are invited to meet with The Wild Gods. Using natural clay, and found materials, we sculpt tiny altars, to be nestled in the landscape. Materials provided.

The Wild Poet's multi-scensory poetic journey will follow on from the workshop for participants to enjoy if they wish.

Rosy Pendlebaby (she/they) is a queer performer, facilitator, and activist, working in the UK and internationally, making work that explores the intersections of creativity, pleasure, and change-making. She is director of rebellious arts lab, Revolting Arts Club, and co-founder of body positive life drawing project, Body Love Sketch Club. Recent collaborators include Cheltenham Literature Festival, Wilderness Festival, Pinky Promise, Shambala, and Edinburgh Fringe, and more.

‘If you go down to the woods today…’

A multi-sensory poetic journey for all ages. This 30min exploration using spoken word and sensory input to deepen our connection with nature.

Created with volunteers, the event follows directly on from the ‘Wild Gods’ workshop with Rosy Pendlebury, so why not do both? If you are interested in performing and would like to be involved as a volunteer facilitator please attend the workshop on 23rd April, otherwise just come and enjoy in the magical (and art filled) Speckled Wood.

Unleash your creativity by transforming discarded materials into unique jewellery and sculptural art! In this hands-on workshop, participants will repurpose old trinkets, toys, and found objects into stunning wearable pieces or small sculptures. This session explores sustainability, artistic expression, and innovative design, offering a fresh perspective on upcycling.

Naughty nuns, top calibre performers and a flaming saxophone have made the annual Curious Cabaret the talk of this Curious Town. Returning to the stunning St Leonard’s Church, hosts The Duchess & Son (award winning Desmond O’Connor and Twice Shy Theatre) will transport you on a delectably devilish journey via a host of the most talented and curious characters.

Featuring a selection of the very best local and guest performers, prepare to be astounded by a heady concoction of aerial prowess, titillating burlesque, hula hooping & fire wizardry, alongside belly laughs, more than a sprinkle of magic, dancing and a whole lot more…

Feeling truly sinful? Well, you certainly will be after encountering a member of our curious convent, resplendent in their pink or purple robes. However, no need to condemn yourself to a lifetime down below just yet. Seek out Sister Mary Joanna who will be waiting to hear your many sins in her very special Confession booth.

Come Play with Us in this very Curious Cabaret…

Designed to allow creative self-expression in this workshop, the children will create their own pair of ‘wonderful wings’. Working with a range of colourful materials, the children will have lots of opportunity to experiment and play.

Suitable for age 6 and upwards.

Perfect for young artists of all skill levels!

Please bring an apron or old shirt to protect clothing.

Returning to A Curious Town once again due to popular demand, the extremely talented musician and teacher Jim Bernardin (worldmusicworkshops.co.uk) will guide you through this fun workshop on the steelpan drums and other percussion instruments. You will not only have fun trying these unusual and beautiful instruments and learn the basics, but you will also be able to play a tune by the end.

Jim learnt to sight-read as a kit drummer, and quickly established himself drumming for shows and backing artists in residencies on land and on cruise-ships. He later studied the marimba, piano, steel pan and more recently the bass guitar, gaining a first class music degree in 1998 and a Masters 2020.

Teaching has been a passion for twenty five years now, as has creating and directing successful community projects like Worthing Steel Band from 2012-2021.

In addition to his bespoke multicultural-influenced percussion workshops, Jim remains an active musician on steel pan and drum kit in the genres of Latin Jazz, Caribbean, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music.

Bless our bunting! It’s the Curious Coastal Village Fete. Join our hip Rev Colin Durr and our gorgeous grannies for an afternoon of hilarity. With lots of stations to explore and try your hand at, this will be a day of silly fun and prizes to be won, for all the family.

With all the charm and wholesome informality of a traditional English Village Fete, A Curious Town brings you a day with all the norms, plus a few curious twists. Come along between midday and 5pm to gorge yourself on cream teas, Pimms and high quality local produce from our market stalls. Take part in vegetable carving, get in a spin with our hula hoop workshop and let your creative side out with flower arranging and cake decorating. Have your face painted, enter the raffle to win fabulous prizes, or get your furry best friend to enter into the dog show - because pets deserve prizes too! 

And don’t forget to explore the space while you’re at it! St Leonards church will be filled with fantastic artwork in the exhibition, installation pieces upstairs, and curious musicians and walkabout performers roaming around to entertain you! 

Join Sanders de Roeper for a laid-back colouring in workshop! Choose between two A2 colouring posters—Sparkle the Fairy of Self Belief or Cosmos the Wizard of Strength—each with a message to boost self confidence.

With guidance from Hatty & Tim, you’ll explore your creativity in a relaxed, no-pressure way. There’s no right or wrong, just the chance to create something personal to you!

By the end, you’ll take home your own customised poster, which you can also work into once home as well! It’s a brilliant fun, relaxing activity and we do hope to see lots of you there!

Join queer poet S-bars for a joyful and nurturing writing and poetry workshop exploring the theme of ‘play.’ We’ll tap into our inner child, embrace creativity, and have fun while fostering self-love and self-expression in a supportive, laid-back space.

S-bars is a queer poet, writer, and actor from the UK. They perform across various platforms and also facilitate writing and poetry workshops for the community, helping others express their voices and stories.

In this magical and creative workshop the children will be encouraged to let their imaginations run wild, whilst creating their own unique ‘magical mask’. We will be using a variety of exciting materials and techniques, allowing the children to experiment with colour, texture, and shape in order to bring their magical masks to life.

Suitable for age 6 and upwards.

Perfect for young artists of all skill levels!

Please bring an apron or old shirt to protect clothing

Have you ever wanted to dye with flowers? Join natural dyer Tara Macdonald, in this workshop for teens, to create this fun and colourful bucket hat using only flowers and botanicals. Perfect for your summer sun hat it will be totally unique and totally natural!

12+

What happens when you hand the camera to the next generation? Step into the skate bowl at Source Park, sink into a beanbag, and find out.

This one-of-a-kind screening spotlights a series of bold, thought-provoking documentary shorts crafted by the young creatives of The Benbow Youth Film Collective, part of The Bright Foundation. Their lens, their stories—raw, real, and refreshingly unfiltered.

Projected onto the big screen in the atmospheric underbelly of Source Park, this is cinema with a side of skate culture. And yes, The Courtyard’s finest food vendors will be serving all evening, so you won’t go hungry.

A vibrant celebration where creativity and play will merge, inspiring young minds through colour, design and imagination, hosted by Little Mashers.

Back for its third year, The Curious Kids Day is an immersive child centric arts festival which aims to provide young people with an opportunity to take part in a variety of vibrant workshops. There will be a diverse programme of activities run by experienced local artists, including Little Mashers, ZEROH, Marie Louise and Makedo.

Each child will be given a Curiosity Passport on entry to prompt them to explore the space, take part in all the activities on offer and create their own collection of festival memorabilia to take home.

The festival will be split into two sessions from which to choose, 10-1.30pm and 2.30-6pm. Families will have the opportunity to explore as many of the activities as possible during their session all designed to captivate and excite children, with the emphasis being on creativity and the importance of PLAY!

Pimp your playing cards! Turn boring old playing cards into a collage masterpieces with Shelley, from Ways of Seeing. There will be lots of fun imagery to play around with to let you decide what a King, Queen & Jack should look like!

This creative workshop is suitable for 8-13 year olds.

Perfect for wrestling fans & curious folk of all ages - get ready to rumble in a lucid dream! Hagstone Stunners is a show that brings Hastings folklore to life through a mix of drag, high flying wrestling and comedy theatre. This is not wrestling as you’ve seen it before!

Join us in the stunning Durbar Hall of the Hastings Museum for a playful and immersive workshop where movement and drawing come together to explore nature’s forms. No art experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to move, express, and create on a large shared canvas."

Earth Therapist, Sarah Louise, is a South African nature-based art educator and therapist with a passion for creativity, movement, and the wild outdoors. She loves going on wild walks—especially in Hastings Country Park—creating BIG artworks, dancing, and spending time by the sea (seals and sandy beaches are my favorite!). Through her work, she creates welcoming spaces for children and adults to connect with their creativity, their bodies, and the natural world. She weaves together storytelling, movement, and drawing to offer playful, immersive experiences that rekindle a deep relationship with nature and your expression.

Welcoming all Grown Ups aboard the Playbus - the Final Stop of A Curious Town Plays festival!

Join the double decked red wonder on this most curious journey, stopping for marvellous music, playful performances and superb surprises.