Tapping into the creative potential of Eastbourne
Creativity can be the perfect outlet to counterbalance everyday routines and traditional work environments.
Artistic gatherings are gaining popularity with workshops in collage, sketching, photography, sewing and scrapbooking across Eastbourne.
Graphic artist Maja Jones recognised this and launched Creative Eastbourne with an Instagram account just one month ago – very quickly, 500 people joined up.
She was amazed by how quickly the movement attracted people excited to collaborate and find like-minded makers.
The first meet-up, held at Port Hotel on Eastbourne seafront on a shimmering summer evening a few days ago, was packed with dozens of people.
Artists, designers, illustrators, writers, milliners, makers, crochet designers, sewing professionals, authors, curators and costume makers were among those who spilled out onto the seafront terrace.
Writers and artists spoke about wanting to run workshops, musicians were looking for collaborations and designers wanted to spread the word of their work.
Maja, who runs regular collage workshops, told the crowd: “This can be anything you want it to be: online, meet-ups, a platform to showcase all this talent.”
The Towner gallery hosted the prestigious Turner Prize in 2023 and the linked Eastbourne Alive wraparound project involved school pupils and the wider town in creativity.
Now Creative Eastbourne hopes to reignite that inspiration with collaborations across the town.
Many artists and creators work alone and are not aware how many others are in the same position in this large seaside town.
Naida Evans, a seamstress, has young children and is aware she needs to get out and start networking again.
She told the Eastbourne Reporter: “I don’t know many creatives in Eastbourne: when you work on your own it can be isolating.”
Rhiannon Ladd, who works for Govia Thameslink Railway, is studying for an interior design diploma when not on duty on the trains.
She said at the event: “This really brings the community together. It’s a completely untapped community and a lot of people didn’t realise there were so many creatives in Eastbourne. This makes it more collaborative.
“I think creativity is so important. I have always been drawn to being creative. I think people can become robotic and institutionalised in their jobs and need creative inspiration.”
Eastbourne Carnival organiser Mina O’Brien said she was applying for Arts Council funding and hoped to run more costume-making and dance workshops ahead of next summer’s event.
And author MJ Buckman, who became a published writer in her 60s, said she would love to share her experience with others who want to write.
Dozens of postcards were filled in at the event with suggestions of how to take the project forward and harness the creative power of Eastbourne.
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