DISCOVERING KENT’ S CREATIVE CORNERS
DAYSOUT
DISCOVERING KENT’ S CREATIVE CORNERS
THE AUTUMN ARTS TRAIL BY JENNIFER SMITH & EMILY STURGEON
© Strange Tourist
DAVID HOCKNEY’ S SUNLEY WINDOW, TURNER CONTEMPORARY
It might not be immediately obvious, but autumn holds some of nature’ s most stunning creations. Vivid shades of orange, crimson and gold transform Kent’ s landscape, heralding the season of harvest while inspiring a renewed sense of creativity. While earlier sunsets draw us towards Halloween, look a little closer and you’ ll notice another transformation taking place across Kent: a buzz of artistry beginning to emerge. From studios and galleries to exhibitions and creative events, the county is preparing to become a trail of artistic excellence, offering plenty of inspiration to discover along the way.
While autumn settles across Kent, creativity seems to enter a new realm, inspired as much by the shifting landscape as by the people who call the county home. Across the Garden of England, nature and creativity intersect to create a vivid mosaic of colour, craft and, most importantly, artistic expression, and as the cold weather encourages us to retreat indoors, there are plenty of ways to channel that creativity and make the most of the season.
It is a trend reflected in the UK’ s growing appetite for creative pursuits, with the Creative Industries Council reporting a 45 % rise in arts and crafts projects across the autumn months, highlighting just how much inspiration we can find in the changing seasons.
Art, of course, is no longer confined to formal gallery spaces or viewed from behind a velvet rope. Across Kent, it is increasingly something to experience, engage with and even take home, whether that means meeting the maker behind a favourite piece, joining a workshop, stepping inside an artist’ s studio or discovering work in a completely unexpected setting. From established names to emerging talent, the county’ s creative scene offers plenty of opportunities to look beyond the finished piece and explore the ideas, skills and stories behind it.
This month, it is quite normal to find yourself at something of a crossroads. Back-to-school is over, Christmas is still on the horizon and suddenly there is a moment of peace; this is the perfect moment to let your artistic ambitions flourish.
From the canvas to the crafts bench, whether you’ re looking to discover a brandnew hobby, develop your artistic skills or learn a little more about art this autumn, there is plenty( and more) to explore across the Garden of England. Here are just some of the visionary locations bringing creativity to every corner of Kent. www. insidekent. co. uk • 35