As a community, The Art Station are increasingly focusing on the environment and the natural wildlife that surrounds us. This has become an integral part of our mission, where we seek to foster greater awareness and connection with nature through creative activities and learning opportunities. By engaging the public in a deeper appreciation of the environment, we hope to inspire long-term stewardship of our local ecosystems.
In line with our focus on creativity and nature, we offer high-quality creative holiday activity days that are designed around the theme of our current exhibition. These activity days cover a wide range of artistic disciplines, including textiles, ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, film, and photography. Each day begins with a breakfast club, offering a relaxed and welcoming start to the day. Participants then take part in two engaging creative workshops, led by talented local professional artists who share their knowledge and skills. These workshops provide an opportunity for participants to learn new techniques and immerse themselves in their creative practice.
Lunch is freshly prepared on-site by a skilled local chef, offering a delicious and nutritious meal. At the end of the day, we encourage families to take home any leftover ingredients, allowing them to share part of the experience with their loved ones. These creative activity days are not only designed to foster artistic expression but also to build a sense of community. They provide an enriching and enjoyable experience for everyone involved, helping participants develop new skills while connecting with others who share similar interests.
Another key initiative we are proud of is our local community group, PhotoShed, which has been running successfully with five six-week blocks led by photographer Richard Allenby-Pratt. This group meets every Friday morning at the Saxmundham Community Fridge before heading out into the town to capture photos based on a theme set by Richard. After their photo excursions, the group reconvenes at Market Hall to project their images and engage in informal discussions about their work. This provides a great opportunity for participants to share their experiences, learn from each other, and reflect on their artistic journey.
Each block of the PhotoShed group culminates in an “away day” visit to various local locations such as Leiston Abbey, Snape Maltings, Tiggins Meadow, Sizewell Beach, and Saxmundham Donkey Sanctuary. These excursions allow the participants to further explore their creative practice in different settings, all while learning more about the local area. The PhotoShed group also put on a successful exhibition at the Saxmundham Arts Festival 2024, showcasing the exceptional talent of local photographers. The exhibition was well-received, highlighting the unique perspectives and creativity within the community.
We recently visited Benhall Primary School to host a free after-school club where children created colourful sun catchers with a tree-themed design. The activity began with a study of collected leaves from the local area, where we discussed the vital role trees play in supporting wildlife and the importance of encouraging pollination by supporting healthy insect populations. The children used simple, collected materials to create leaf silhouettes for their sun catchers, learning about nature as they worked. At the end of the session, each child proudly took home their unique, sun catcher to display at home. It was a fun and educational way to connect creativity with environmental awareness.
For two years, we collaborated with pupils from SET Saxmundham through six-week enrichment blocks, which continued until the school closed in 2024. These sessions were led by a team of talented artists. Richard Oliver guided the pupils in creating terracotta sculptures, which were then fired at the University of Suffolk. Debbie Watkins Jones from Edgefield Dance Company focused on movement and connection, encouraging students to express themselves physically. Artist Neil Hanger taught printing techniques and sewing skills, enabling the students to design and create vibrant canvas tote bags. This diverse range of creative activities allowed the pupils to explore various art forms, fostering creativity and skill development over the two-year period.
We have organized various walks throughout Saxmundham and extended them to areas like Minsmere, Sizewell Beach, and Dunwich. These walks have provided opportunities to engage with our local community and reach people living in rural Suffolk, including Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers. By connecting with diverse groups, we support a sense of inclusion and shared experience, bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and helping them explore the beauty of the region while building stronger community ties.
Wiggly Wednesday has been a fantastic partnership with Saxmundham Library. This free, weekly after-school drop-in session has provided a consistent space for creativity and connection for pupils from local schools. The sessions, led by Max Clements, Art Station’s Community and Volunteer Coordinator, offer fun and inclusive activities that engage both young people and families. By creating a welcoming environment, Wiggly Wednesday fosters a sense of community and encourages children to explore their creativity in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. The initiative has become a valued part of the local community, providing a space for continuous learning and connection.
The Saxmundham Arts Festival has been another major success, transforming the town into a vibrant celebration of art, poetry, workshops, photography, music, and food. The festival brings together artists, performers, and members of the community to create a lively atmosphere enjoyed by all. For one day, Saxmundham transforms into a hub of creativity, with a diverse range of free activities, allowing people of all ages to engage with art and culture. The festival celebrates the talents of our local artists and performers while providing an opportunity for the community to come together and appreciate the wealth of creative talent that exists within the town.
The positive feedback we received from attendees has left us eagerly anticipating the next Saxmundham Arts Festival in 2026. We are excited about the experiences and opportunities it will bring to the community, and we look forward to seeing how the festival continues to grow and evolve in the coming years.
Through these various initiatives, we are not only celebrating the creativity and artistic talents of our local community but also fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. Whether it’s through our creative walks along the River Fromus, educational activities at Old Bank Garden, or community-driven projects like PhotoShed, we are working together to inspire greater environmental awareness and engagement. These efforts will continue to grow, helping to strengthen the bond between our community and the natural world that sustains us. As we look toward the future, we remain committed to nurturing creativity, promoting sustainability, and fostering a greater understanding of the environment in everything we do.
Community Activities are funded with support from many funders including: East Suffolk Council, East Suffolk Community Partnerships, Greenprint Forum, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sustainable Development Fund, Awards for All National Lottery Community Fund, D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, East of England Co-op Cares Suffolk Community Foundation, People Postcode Trust and we are very grateful to our funders for supporting our work and activities.
Current and past community activities provided by The Art Station
An exciting morning of tree planting, creative activity and gardening with Benhall Primary School
Art + Bus = TOUR returns for 2023 with another unmissable day exploring contemporary art across three venues, in beautiful East Suffolk.
Four days of music, dance with Dance East and creative making with The Art Station.
A FREE creative and enjoyable walk, along the Suffolk coastline, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, led by Ruel Fox and Anna Ilsley.
A new and exciting free festival of art and music is happening in Saxmundham. A joyful celebration of arts and culture in our historic market town, in East Suffolk.