Events

GO! : First Friday 4 APRIL 2025

PUPPETS : First Friday 7 MARCH 2025

EXTINCT : First Friday 7 FEBRUARY 2025

Join us on Friday 7 February from 6 to 9pm for an evening digging deep into the theme of Extinct at Marine Studios.

The activities and discussion will be around the re-introduction of species to our countryside and re-wilding of the land. What are the implications of bringing a plant or animal back, how does it fit into the eco-system and what are the knock-on effects? Examples under discussion are the pine marten, chough and beaver.

This activity is funded by Social Enterprise Kent and the UK Government through the Social Enterprise Boost Fund.

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS : First Friday 6 DECEMBER 2024

Join us on Friday 6 December from 6 to 9pm for an evening of fun activity with Christmas Crafts at Marine Studios.

Come along to our annual festive get-together and try your hand at a variety of crafts with our local crafters and makers. Curated by Dan Thompson and crafting with Jenny Duff

This activity is funded by Social Enterprise Kent and the UK Government through the Social Enterprise Boost Fund.

AI : First Friday 1 NOVEMBER 2024

First Friday on Friday 1 November is an evening of exploration into AI at Marine Studios.

Come along to explore AI, transhumanism, and how technology extends human capability.

Is AI an apocalyptic nightmare or does it represent a generation defining technology like the internet? With talks from The Geekery & Genetic Moo, as well as Dan Thompson as an Actual Intelligence Machine; and – not for the squeamish – a live, on-site subcutaneous microchip implant demonstrated on by our very own Connor Sansby.

ON THE SAME PAGE : First Friday 4 OCTOBER 2024

First Friday on October 4th is hitting the town in a special all-day partnership with Margate Bookie! Join old friends and make new ones at The Margate School, where Marine Studios is co-hosting an afternoon of book loving activities. Book yourself onto a bookbinding workshop with our friend Hope Fitzgerald from Bindfulness and bring along a book you loved or loathed to swap at Bee’s Bookshare.

Afterwards, get yourself to the Dreamland Ballroom for an evening hosted by the Kent Poetry Championship Slam with headliner Raymond Antrobus. An absolute legend in contemporary British poetry, Raymond Antrobus is the winner of the 2019 Ted Hughes award, the 2019 Rathbones Folio Prize, author of the beautiful poetry collections To Sweeten Bitter, The Perseverance and All the Names Given, and the children’s picture book Can Bears Ski?.

EMPIRE : First Friday 6 SEPTEMBER 2024

Curated and hosted by Kent-based Phoetrystra (Photo Poet) Michi Masumi.

The evening will be an exploration into how art and poetry capture and critique the British Empire’s influence and legacy. During the evening Michi will read poetry showcasing diverse voices and experiences; present an overview of the British Empire and its global impact, its rise and fall and its lingering effects in contemporary times; and host an open-floor Q&A.

There will also be art and books on Empire to explore at your own pace, and a signal flags exhibition by resident studio-holder Dan Thompson – the flags were originally commissioned by Estuary Festival and flown at Tilbury, to mark the spot the SS Empire Windrush docked.

PRIDE: First Friday 2 AUGUST 2024

This month we’ll be taking inspiration from Rosa Rankin-Gee’s book Dreamland, by exploring local sites, the impact of climate change and LGBTQIA+ love stories.

We will explore Margate’s most iconic locations through an exhibition of artworks by local artists, including Charlie Evaristo Boyce. Dan Thompson will be showing Arlington House artifacts, including some key pieces from the original building. Plus enjoy an exclusive Dreamland mini-zine and interview with Rosa Rankin-Gee.

Explore our rising sea levels map to find out how Margate and its beloved beaches fair in the climate crisis, and join us in making a climate pledge with takethejump.org.

BOOKS: First Friday 5 JULY 2024

Join Hope Fitzgerald from Bindfulness Handmade Books in Faversham, as she shares a variety of simple handbound structures and a taster of bookbinding techniques.  Find out about paper grain and learn a simple sewing technique to create useful and beautiful books using basic tools and materials.

Try your hand at making origami bookmarks in a workshop with Anthony Rendall-Davis; explore book ephemera with Dan Thompson; and browse the Marine Studios library and the Writers’ Room Poetry library.

CRAFT: First Friday 7 JUNE 2024

Did you know there is a UK red list of endangered crafts? We are delving into heritage crafts with English Folk artist, Celtic shaman, and magic practitioner Conker (@conker.art) holding a “make your own corn dolly” drop-in workshop; Jenny Duff sharing the art of Hapa Zome (printing from plants and flowers); and the Zoe Murphy Quilting Group demonstrating quilting techniques.

We will also spotlight and celebrate some of the talented studio and desk holders here at Marine Studios – inspired by his late grandmother, Ed Garvey-Long will be bringing his hand stitched quilts; Ellie Dangerfield brings nature shrines celebrating local ecology, land connection and natural material culture to the evening; plus designer and maker, Jenny Duff, will be exhibiting her new bold and beautiful place mats and coasters, made in collaboration with Rebecca Strickson.

HOPE: First Friday 3 MAY 2024

In troubled times it’s hard to have hope for the future, so this month we celebrate everything hopeful, and the extraordinary ways people are paving the way for a brighter future.

Theatre maker and storyteller Bernadette Russell, will be sharing inspiring stories throughout the evening. Bed in for some soul nourishment with hope inspiring quotes, with resident librarians Dan Thompson and Connor Sansby, in our hope inspired reading room.

We are also joined by some very exciting local innovators and designers. Join Dan Thompson will be making a giant ‘Mappa Mundi’-style map of hope, which visitors will be able to contribute to.

WATER: First Friday 5 APRIL 2024

Ahead of Earth Day 2024, we are diving in to the theme of Water for our next installment of First Friday. Water means something to everyone, whether it’s the sea, rivers, rain or the water that comes out of your tap. Anyone curious about our connections with water is invited to Margate’s Marine Studios on 5 April 2024 to explore water through art, science and play.

Featuring interactive activities, exhibits and performances from coastal drag icon Shelly Grotto, Poets for the Planet, Mergate Mermaid Parade and Dan Thompson Studios.

PRINT IS DEAD: First Friday 2 FEB 2024

Join Marine Studios and friends for a night of print and publishing themed activities exploring the theme: Print is Dead. Listen to Elte Rauch from New Menard Press speaking about her journey running an independent cross-channel publishing press.

Nick Morley, aka Linocut Boy, will showcase his linocut prints and woodblock printing demonstration. Contribute to a book sculpture that artist Willow Winston will be creating. Dan Thompson will be opening his studio for a printmaking and 3D printing demo.

JOURNEYS: First Friday 1 Dec 2023

Join us to launch the Marine Studios Writers’ Room in our December First Friday on the theme of Journeys.

Hear acclaimed author Travis Elborough discuss his latest work ‘The Writer’s Journey’, following the travels that influenced some of world’s most famous writers. Experience Three Tenses in One from Dan Thompson Studio, reimagine Thanet’s streetscapes with Transit Collective, and get creative with D&D map making and Peter Gander’s map drawing. Plus there’s a Margate Bookshop pop-up to get your Christmas gifts.