Handmade First Friday and the Coat of Hopes; plus writer events and opportunities
See what's coming up in July from Marine Studios and the Writers' Room
First Friday: Handmade
Join us at Marine Studios for an evening of all things crafty, linked to Talking Birds idea of Regenerative Creative Practice. In collaboration with Brighter Days Markets, we’ll be looking at regenerative and restorative craft practices – making something from nothing or putting good things back in the world. Bring along your own to share, or get involved with other arts and crafts. All are welcome.
First Fridays (est. 2009) are fun, playful, and involve hands-on activities to explore an idea. This event is FREE and no tickets is required – just show up on the night.
Accessibility: find out about this event and space by reading our access statement.
The Coat of Hopes
Ask me where I'm going.
Ask me what is my purpose.
This week, the patchwork Coat of Hopes came to Margate on its ongoing walking pilgrimage (currently around 1500 miles) towards the end of the climate and ecological emergency. Originally worn on a pilgrimage from Newhaven, Sussex to COP in Glasgow in 2021, the coat has since journeyed across the UK. The coat stopped at Marine Studios, where we fed the pilgrims, who gathered with studio members to talk about climate, about action, about the power of making and doing. The coat has been made, and worn and walked by many hundreds of people – who now include Marine Studio members.
There's an open invitation to wear the coat and become a pilgrim – it continues to travel, down to Ramsgate, then along the coast to Dover on Saturday 28th July and on to Folkestone on Sunday 29th July. Go, witness, and wear.
From the Marine Studios Library
July’s book review: Salted by Mark Bitterman
This lovely book makes a good companion to Turner's current exhibition by Anna Boghiguian. Salted explores the history of salt from the Celts and the Tuareg in Egypt to modern day artisanal makers, includes a guide to types of salt, and adds a bunch of recipes.
Desk available (with the best sea view in town)
We have a permanent desk available at Marine Studios! It’s £100/month – easy in/easy out terms – which includes sensational sea views, and use of two meeting rooms, the kitchen and libraries. We’re an interesting group of designers, architects, community activists, writers, musicians, poets, and more. Come join us!
We also offer hot-desking and meeting rooms for hire (you can reserve your space using our online booking system).
Any questions? Get in touch at info@marinestudios.co.uk
Writing jobs and opportunities
First up, a huge congratulations to Dan Thompson for his appointment as Writer-in-Residence on Sittingbourne Steam Railway for the next year, an Ideas Test commission. Well done, Dan (and do let him know if you have any personal connections, or stories about, Sittingbourne Steam Railway).
The P G Wodehouse Society (UK) Essay Prize 2025
An international essay competition of 3,000–6,000 words relating to Wodehouse’s novels, stories, lyrics, plays or journalism. Find out more and apply.
Royal Society of Literature Short Story Award
A £1000 prize is up for grabs in the Royal Society of Literature’s V.S. Pritchett short story award. There are 50 low-income entries available. Find out more and apply.
Turner Contemporary Digital Content Officer (part-time)
Are you interested in managing, creating and publishing content across social media and online platforms, to engage audiences and promote the Turner Contemporary’s events and exhibitions? Find out more and apply.
Where the Land Forgets Itself: An open call for poetry
Connor Sansby (who works from the Marine Studios Writers’ Room), is looking for poetry that speaks to the working class experience of the sea, the seaside and coastal towns across the UK. This is a paid opportunity to contribute to a print anthology (Where the Land Forgets Itself: The Zine).
Find out more and submit your work.
What’s on?
For details of all the monthly Marine Studios Writers’ Room groups (Margate Fiction Writers; Margate Stanza; Writer’s Block; Where to Start Writing…) please see the events page on the Marine Studios website.
Accessibility: for all events and meetings at Marine Studios, read our access statement.
First Friday: Handmade
Friday 4th July, 6–9pm / Marine Studios
Join us at Marine Studios on Friday 4th July for First Friday as we enjoy an evening of craft at HANDMADE.
Free to attend
Writing in Progress
Wednesday 9th July, 7pm / Off Licence
A creative writing open mic night on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Come along to listen and share prose/fiction/poetry/non-fiction/comedy/scripts… this is a safe space to read aloud what you’re working on (or just be inspired by others).
Follow on Instagram and DM for your spot / Free
Black Eyed Susan
Thursday 10th July, 2.30pm / Kent Museum of the Moving Image
Fans of Robert Poulter’s New Model Theatre shouldn’t miss the Great Nautical Melodrama: Black Eyed Susan, as part of this years Deal Festival at MOMI Kent (this comes 23 years after Robert originally premiered the play in Deal, where Douglas Jerrold set his play).
Tickets available online / £12
Cut. Stick. Press.
Tuesday 22nd July, 6.30–9.00pm / Marine Studios
Amateurs unite at this monthly collage club from Daisy Beau and Jessica Taggart Rose. They provide the materials and an inspiring setting with sea views, you bring your collage ideas. Then just settle in for two hours of cutting, sticking and pressing together (all levels of experience welcome). Email jessicataggartrose@gmail.com with any questions or just show up!
Suggested donation £3 for materials, tea/coffee