Relaxed Monday morning workshops where you will explore, play and learn new techniques, using watercolours, inks and sketching. Example sessions include learning how to paint birds, how to do loose romantic watercolour flowers, how to explore colour using inks and water. Come and join a friendly and interesting group where you will learn something new. Includes: • Group Tuition • Materials DATE : Every Monday (except bank holidays) TIME : 10 - 12 PRICE: £12pp

Discover Ancient Rome through a spectacular interactive exhibition of original film props & costumes from Gladiator, Spartacus, Ben-Hur, King Arthur and more.  This exciting new exhibition revisits one of the most popular periods of history, Ancient Rome, for an entirely new take on one of the world’s great civilisations. The Roman era has interested storytellers from William Shakespeare to Stanley Kubrick. From AD 2000 with the making of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator the Hollywood Roman epic was reborn. This exhibition brings together Pop-Up Exhibition’s outstanding collection of screen-used cinema and television props, costumes and armour, from films such as Gladiator (2000), King Arthur (2004), Centurion (2009), The Eagle (2011) Ben-Hur (2016) and Spartacus (2010-13). It interprets them in the context of the history and archaeology that have inspired the filmmakers, presenting historical figures in a way that will connect with modern audiences and fans of historical cinema. The exhibition includes interactive and handling elements, original cinema posters and banners, screen-used fabric hangings from Gladiator and museum-standard graphic interpretation. It also includes a section on classic sword and sandal cinema of the 1950s and 60s.

Come along to Creative Maidstones and get stuck into our paint-your-own pottery station. What to expect: You will come into the hub and speak to a member of our team to get you set up for painting. You will select your blank ceramics and pay for the item you pick out. Ceramic blanks start from £4 Then decorate your blanks with the paints provided. At the end of this session, you will be able to leave your masterpiece at the hub to dry. You will then have 3 weeks to collect it during our open hours: 9 am - 5 pm | Monday - Saturday LEVEL: This session is ideal for all ages and will include fine motor skills, such as using paintbrushes and pens. £4 per person + cost of item painted | Booking Optional | All materials provided Please Note: Please note, an adult must accompany children under the age of 16 at all times. This is not a tutored workshop; it's completely self-led, so you can let your creativity run wild! Booking isn’t required, but to avoid disappointment, we recommend pre-booking a space, as we have a maximum capacity of 10 painters per session.

Something spooky this way comes with our Halloween-themed still life drawing class, with Creative Maidstone’s lead ghoul, Christie! What to expect: * Using a variety of drawing mediums such as pencils, charcoal & pastels, you will get to draw a seasonal display of objects to get you in the spooky spirit in the lead-up to Halloween WHAT YOU GET As well as practising your drawing skills, you can continue beyond the session; you will also get to take home all of your drawings made during the session. LEVEL: This workshop is ideal for ages 17+ and is suited to any ability. No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm!  £8 per person | Booking required | All materials provided

Discover the world of the Paranormal in Kent with Neil Nixon. Local author and paranormal expert Neil Nixon takes a deep dive into the mass of mysteries surrounding Kent, covering ghost legends, UFO events and an infamous mythical beast that may have been extraterrestrial. Somewhere in the plethora of possibilities is one event he truly believes is paranormal! Bring an open mind! When : Thursday 22nd October 2026 Timings : 7 to 8:30pm Price : £15 per person Age : All welcome Places : Limited to 40 places Accessibility : The room and our toilets are fully accessible Booking is essential.

Are you ready to experience the thrill of the unknown? Join us at Maidstone Museum for an unforgettable night of ghost hunting and paranormal exploration! Watch as seasoned ghost hunters use state of the art technology to detect and communicate with the unknown and discover the eerie history of Maidstone Museum and hear spine-chilling tales of its haunted past. When : Friday 23rd October 2026 Timings : 8pm - 11pm Price : £30 per person Age : 18+. Please bring a valid form of ID. Places : Limited to 25 places Accessibility : Most of the museum is accessible. The bottom floor fully accessible, and part of the top floor is accessible via stair lifts and lifts.  Booking is essential. Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the museum.

Mark your place with a little handmade magic Slow down, get creative and celebrate the joy of books at this relaxed hand‑stitching session as part of Maidstone Lit Fest. Inspired by bookshelves and well‑loved stories, you’ll create your own stitched textile bookmark, perfect for marking the pages of your favourite read. Kent‑based textile artist Anne Kelly (Anne Kelly Textiles) will guide you through the process, using felt, fabric strips and simple embroidery techniques to build up colourful, book‑inspired designs. No previous stitching experience is needed – just bring your enthusiasm for making and a love of books. When : Saturday 24th October 2026 Time : 10am to 1pm Price : £25 per person Age : 16+ Places : 18 places for this workshop Accessibility : The Glass Room and our toilets are fully accessible. Skill : All skills welcomed. What to bring : All supplies will be provided, but you can bring your own materials too! Booking is essential. © Image @ fabricandink on Instagram

Come and enjoy a relaxing pottery painting session at Creative Maidstone. Choose from our range of small bisque items, select your colours from our porcelain paints and pens then let your creative juices flow! Pottery painting costs £4 per person + the cost of the item(s) you choose to paint. Prices range from £4 to £10 each. Please note, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Bring your kids to get messy in this Monster Making Workshop, led by ceramicist Laura Hollis.  Using excellent quality air dry clay, young artists will learn professional hand-building techniques to build their very own quirky monster, with scaly skin and lots of googly eyes, let their imaginations go wild, with time to paint lots of funky monster colours. No kiln needed - take your monster home on the day or leave at the Arts Hub to harden. Age 6+  £15 per person  Monday 26th October 14.00 - 15:30 A parent or guardian will need to stay with the child.

Monster Pumpkins Workshop    Bring your kids to get messy and creative this Halloween at this 90 minute Monster pumpkin workshop, led by ceramicist Laura Hollis.    With step by step instructions and using excellent quality air dry clay young artists can go wild with their imaginations to make crazy, creepy monster pumpkins, googly eyes, buck teeth, tentacles and more. With time to paint lots of funky colours.   Bring a box or cage to take your monster pumpkins home.   Age 4+  A parent or guardian will need to stay with the child. Tuesday 27th October 10.30 - 12.00

We’re all ready for October half term with three days of story book themed Make It! sessions for children. (linked to LitFest) 3 sessions per day  Session 1: 10.15am – 11.15am Session 2: 11.30am 12.30pm Session 3: 1.30pm – 2.30pm Ideal for ages 4 – 11 years £3.75 per child per session. An adult must stay with child/ren. Activities take 30-50 mins to complete. Booking required Each session will start with the story, read by one of the team, followed by a craft linked to the story. Tuesday 27 October - Pirates love Underpants story followed by pants flag craft  Wednesday 28 October - Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs Missing Treasure story followed by treasure chest craft Thursday 29 October - Commotion in the Ocean story followed by turtle craft Please contact the Museum Events Team with any issues. Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the museum.

Bring your kids to get messy in this Monster Making Workshop, led by ceramicist Laura Hollis.  Using excellent quality air dry clay, young artists will learn professional hand-building techniques to build their very own quirky monster, with scaly skin and lots of googly eyes, let their imaginations go wild, with time to paint lots of funky monster colours. No kiln needed - take your monster home on the day or leave at the Arts Hub to harden. Age 6+  £15 per person  Wednesday 28 October 11.00 - 13:00 A parent or guardian will need to stay with the child.

Join us in celebrating Black History Month in Maidstone with an interactive African Drumming session led by JOLÁ ADÉBÍMÍPÈ. When : Wednesday 28th October 2026 Timings : Two sessions Session 1: 10:30am to 11:15am Session 2: 11:30am to 12:15pm Price : Free but booking required Age : All welcome Places : Limited to 30 places a session Accessibility : The room and our toilets are fully accessible Please note the session will be loud with music and may be crowded. Booking is essential.

Beginner friendly session to get you started with the basic crochet stitches Includes: • Group Tuition • Materials • Instruction sheets & Hook to keep DATE : Wednesday 28th October TIME : 2pm – 4pm PRICE: £12pp

Get ready for spookiest day of the year with this teens felt hanging decoration with Christie our lead artist at Creative Maidstone. Learn to pattern trace onto felt and how to hand sew using a blanket stitch. This workshop is ideal for ages 11-16 and will include the use of fine motor skills; using scissors, and a sewing. An adult must stay with the attending under 16s for the duration of the activity £5 per child | Booking required | All materials provided

SEND Family Friday - craft days in school holidays This summer we have once again created some SEND friendly craft activities for families with children with SEND and their siblings.   This time they are linked to LitFest and stories,  with guided and open ended craft opportunities.    These sessions will have fewer spaces than our usual sessions and aim to be quieter with more open ended activities.  There is a small charge for each child to cover costs but adults are free.  Entry only with ticket. Please bring ticket either printed out or on your mobile device Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the museum.

Join us for a spooky spider making session using a paper bowl, with Christie our lead artist at Creative Maidstone This workshop is ideal for Under 16s and will include the use of fine motor skills; holding pens This will be a messy session so please wear old cloths you don't mind getting messy An adult must stay with the attending under 16s for the duration of the activity £3 per child | Booking required | All materials provided

Are you ready to experience the thrill of the unknown? Join us at Maidstone Museum for an unforgettable night of ghost hunting and paranormal exploration! Watch as seasoned ghost hunters use state of the art technology to detect and communicate with the unknown and discover the eerie history of Maidstone Museum and hear spine-chilling tales of its haunted past. When : Friday 30th October 2026 Timings : 8pm - 11pm Price : £25 per person Age : 18+. Please bring a valid form of ID. Places : Limited to 25 places Accessibility : Most of the museum is accessible. The bottom floor fully accessible, and part of the top floor is accessible via stair lifts and lifts.  Booking is essential. Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the museum.

Come along to one of these free sessions to help us create a brand new mural for Creative Maidstone. We have a large blank wall at the back of the Arts Hub which is in desperate need of some colour!  Over these two days, we'll be wielding our paint brushes to create some vibrant designs and we'd love you to get involved. This activity is ideal for ages 11 - 16 and is suited to any ability. No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm!  The sessions are shown as 2hr slots but you don't have to stay for the whole session if you don't want to. We do ask that you're there for the start though so we can brief everyone on what to do.

Join us this Halloween for a wicked session of crafting with Christie our lead artist who haunts the halls of Creative Maidstone OoooOoOooOoo During this session you will make a spooky scene in a small jar decorated like an overgrown graveyard and with a little ghost to float around inside. This workshop is ideal for age 11 - 16 and will include the use of fine motor skills; holding a paint brush and using scissors An adult must stay with the attending under 16s for the duration of the activity £6 per child | Booking required | All materials provided

Get Ready for Spooky Fun and Halloween Giggles! Join us for a fun-filled Halloween celebration with games, crafts and spooky surprises—perfect for little ghouls and goblins. Prize for the best dressed! When : Saturday 31st October 2026 Timings : 5 to 7pm Price : £5 per person Age: All welcome, aimed for 10 and under Accessibility : The room and our toilets are fully accessible Booking is essential.

An Evening of Magic Awaits—Dare to Dress the Part… In collaboration with Maidstone Pride, join us for an enchanting evening of fantasy, celebration and creativity. Dress as your favourite magical or mythical character and dance the night away. Prize for the best dressed! When : Saturday 31st October 2026 Timings : 8pm to 12am Price : £15 per person Age : 18+ Accessibility : The room and our toilets are fully accessible Booking is essential.

Let's celebrate Diwali with this Diya collage suncatcher workshop led by Christie, Creative Maidstone’s lead artist.  What to expect: * This workshop will take around 1 hour. * During the session, you get to you will get to make your own Diya suncatcher using tracing paper and tissue paper. WHAT YOU GET You will have your wonderful Diya suncatcher to take home with you. LEVEL: This workshop is ideal for under-16s and is suitable for any ability. No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm! We will be using fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil, using scissors, and picking up small pieces of tissue paper. £2 per person | Booking Required | All materials provided

Join Christie to learn the craft of bookbinding and make your very own hardback from scratch! Perfect for bookbinding newbies. We'll get stuck into traditional bookbinding techniques and vocabulary. This workshop is ideal for ages 16+ and will include the use of fine motor skills; using a pencil, sewing with a needle Booking essential £10 per person | All materials provided

Come and enjoy a relaxing pottery painting session at Creative Maidstone. Choose from our range of small bisque items, select your colours from our porcelain paints and pens then let your creative juices flow! Pottery painting costs £4 per person + the cost of the item(s) you choose to paint. Prices range from £4 to £10 each. Please note, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Curious about Dungeons & Dragons? Join this beginner-friendly session and step into a world of imagination, storytelling and adventure. When : Saturday 7th November 2026 Timings : 11am to 4pm (drop in session) Price: Free Age: All welcome Accessibility: The room and our toilets are fully accessible Age : All welcome Booking is essential.

Let’s Rock ‘n’ Roll – 50s Music & Dance Party! Slim Si & the Smokin Aces will be performing live at Maidstone Museum for a 50s bash. Get your dancing shoes on for some rock and roll! When : Saturday 7th November Timings : 7:30 to 11pm Price : £10 per person Age : 18+ Accessibility : The room and our toilets are fully accessible Booking is essential.

Join us to craft your own set of hand-painted watercolour Christmas cards and gift tags. Materials and expert tuition, plus festive nibbles and a glass of bubbles all included! £25 per person, strictly over 18s only Two sessions available: Afternoon: 2.30pm - 4.30pm Evening: 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Come and have some autumnal fun with this autumnal workshop led by Christie, Creative Maidstone’s lead artist.  What to expect: * This workshop will take around 1 hour. * During the session, you get to you will get to make your own paper hedgehog. WHAT YOU GET You will have your paper hedgehog to take home with you. LEVEL: This workshop is ideal for under-16s and is suitable for any ability. No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm! We will be using fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil, using scissors, and picking up small pieces of paper. £2.50 per person | Booking Required | All materials provided

Looking for Christmas cards with a personal touch? Why not join our festive collage card workshop led by Christie, Creative Maidstone’s lead Elf.  What to expect: * This workshop will take around 1 hour 30 minuetes. * During the session, you get to learn how to menipulate paper to make stunning personalised christmas cards * Then using pens and acrylic paint markers to add some adorable finishing touches WHAT YOU GET You will have at least 3 Christmas cards to take home with you. LEVEL: This workshop is ideal for ages 17+ and is suitable for any ability. No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm! We will be using fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil, using scissors, and picking up small pieces of paper. £7 per person | Booking Required | All materials provided

From Edo to Kyoto: A 19th-Century Journey Through Japan’s Tōkaidō Way Take a journey along Japan’s Tōkaidō Way (‘East Sea Road’) from the military capital Edo (Tokyo) to the imperial capital Kyoto in Japan, with iconic ukiyo-e print artist Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858). These outstanding prints chart the 319 mile (514 km) journey as viewed by Hiroshige while travelling with a delegation of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1832. Through the creativity of the Japanese woodblock print master, viewers can experience the long and arduous journey taken by travellers for centuries. A journey which could take between a week and a month to complete depending on the weather This complete series of 55 prints charts the entire journey, capturing the people, buildings, daily life, rituals and hugely varied, beautiful and fascinating landscapes of a lost period in Japan’s history.

Join us for a relaxing festive paper craft workshop led by Christie, Creative Maidstone’s lead Elf.  What to expect: * This workshop will take around 1 hour 30 minuetes. * During the session, you get to learn how to menipulate paper to make stunning 3D ordnoments * Then using pens and acrylic paint markers to add some adorable finishing touches WHAT YOU GET You will have at least 3 hanging decorations to take home with you. LEVEL: This workshop is ideal for ages 17+ and is suitable for any ability. No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm! We will be using fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil, using scissors, and picking up small pieces of paper. £8 per person | Booking Required | All materials provided

Bring your little artist to play with paints. Creative Maidstone’s lead artist, Christie. What to expect: * This activity will take around 45 minutes, and an adult must accompany children during the session. * Your little artists will get to use their imagination to paint whatever they can dream up. * You can leave artwork at the hub to dry and collect it another day WHAT YOU GET As well as building on your little ones' fine motor skills, you will also get to take home their amazing LEVEL: This workshop is ideal for toddlers ages 3 - 6 and will include the use of fine motor skills; such as holding a paintbrush & sponges. £2.50 per child | Booking Required | All materials provided

Let’s Party at the Museum! Partying at the museum is BACK! Join the Museum this November for a night of music, dancing and fun! Expect three music channels playing all your favourite tunes in the stunning historic building. When : Saturday 21st November 2026 Timings: Two sessions: 6:30PM - 9:00PM 9:30PM - 12:00AM Price : £15 per person Age : 18+ Valid photographic I.D. may be requested on entry. Accessibility : The room and our toilets are fully accessible Booking is essential.

A Mindful Christmas Calligraphy Workshop: Personalise Your Own Baubles Take some time for yourself and discover the relaxing art of modern brush pen calligraphy in this friendly and welcoming two-hour beginner's workshop. Perfect for complete beginners, you'll learn the fundamentals of modern brush lettering, including how to form beautiful letter shapes, connect letters into words and develop your own elegant style. With easy-to-follow guidance throughout, you'll soon gain the confidence to create beautiful lettering of your own. Using your new skills, you'll personalise and decorate two beautiful Christmas baubles to take home, creating unique keepsakes to treasure or thoughtful handmade gifts for loved ones. Brush pen calligraphy is more than just learning a new craft. The slow, mindful movements encourage you to relax, focus on the present moment and switch off from the stresses of everyday life.  At the end of the workshop, you'll also receive a beginner's workbook to take home, giving you everything you need to continue practising and developing your new skills at your own pace. No previous experience is needed, and all materials are provided. Simply come along, enjoy a relaxing creative session and leave with beautiful handmade baubles, a new skill and the confidence to continue your calligraphy journey. £20 per person Tuesday 24th November 2:00 - 3:30

Beginner friendly session to get you started with the basic crochet stitches Includes: • Group Tuition • Materials • Instruction sheets & Hook to keep DATE : Wednesday 25th November TIME : 2pm – 4pm PRICE: £12pp

Discover the fascinating journey of Julius Brenchley and our Solomon Islands collection. Focusing on the ethnographic/World Culture collections of local Julius Lucius Brenchley - our Victorian Gentleman Explorer, this talk and tour takes us around the world in his 19th century travels, with the fascinating places and people he visited and the collections he acquired, including the early, rare and internationally significant Solomon Islands artefacts, a collection which is also held at the British Museum. When : Thursday 25th June 2026 Timings : 7 to 8:30pm Price : £15 per person Age : All welcome Places : Limited to 40 places Accessibility : The room and our toilets are fully accessible Booking is essential.

Get into the Christmas Spirit with a traditional Wreath Making Workshop at Maidstone Museum.  Perfect for beginners and experienced makers alike, this workshop offers a chance to develop new skills and take home a stunning seasonal piece! Working in collaboration with Maidstone Borough Council's Parks team, all the foliage will be collected locally just days before your workshop.  When : Saturday 28th November 2026 Timings : Two sessions 10am to 12pm 1pm to 3pm Price : £35 per person Age : 16+ Places : Limited to 10 places Accessibility : The room and our toilets are fully accessible via our lift. Booking is essential.

Don't have a clue when it comes to bows? Why not join our festive collage card workshop led by Christie, Creative Maidstone’s lead Elf. What to expect: * This workshop will take around 1 hour. * During the session, you get to learn how to wrap a present fir for Father Christmas’s sleighed * We will cover wrapping odd shaped gifts, How to add additional adornments like ribbon and small items and what sustainable swaps can be made to help keep Christmas low cost and kind to the environment WHAT YOU GET You will have your new elf-level wrapping skills and some sustainable goodies LEVEL: This workshop is ideal for ages 17+ and is suitable for any ability. No previous experience is necessary, just enthusiasm! We will be using fine motor skills, such as holding a pencil, using scissors, and picking up small pieces of paper. Free | Booking Required | All materials provided

Get ready for Hanukkah by making your own menorah that you can take home and mark each of the 8 days of Hanukkah.  This workshop is with Christie, our lead artist at Creative Maidstone and is ideal for under 16s. It will include the use of fine motor skills; using scissors, pencils paint brushes and gluesticks.  This is a messy workshop so please wear old clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.  A parent/guardian must stay with their child throughout the session. £3 per child | All materials provided

Chocolate Truffle & Cake Pop Workshop An interactive and creative introduction to the world of craft chocolate, combining education, tasting, and hands-on chocolate making. We begin with a short introduction to cacao, looking at where it comes from and how different origins, varieties, fermentation, and processing influence the final flavour. Participants will taste at least 10 different origin chocolates to compare their flavours, aromas, and textures. In the practical section, participants will learn basic techniques used by professional chocolatiers, including working with chocolate shells and fillings. Choose from different ganache flavours and create your own combinations before decorating your chocolates. Each participant will make and take home:   - 16 handmade chocolate truffles, with a choice of different ganache flavours   - 3 decorated chocolate cake pops The workshop includes:   - Introduction to cacao and craft chocolate   - Tasting of at least 10 different origin chocolates   - Demonstration of professional chocolate-making techniques   - Hands-on chocolate making (filling 16 truffles and decorating 3 cake pops)   - Packaging to take all handmade chocolates home £50 per person Suitable for ages 15+

Father Christmas's Fireplace 2026 Sat 5 – Sat 19 December 2026   Step into the museum this Christmas for a festive, magical visit with Father Christmas. You'll have the chance to: Meet Father Christmas in his festive library Leave your wish list with him Receive a special Christmas gift Take a magical selfie to capture the moment Will your name be on the nice list? We hope so!    NEW for 2026! As well as our popular Saturday slots (perfect for families), we're introducing extra weekday time slots this year — ideal for SEND teens and adults, pre-schoolers, or anyone who'd prefer a quieter, more relaxed visit.    Accessibility Our cosy library has step-free access and is located on the main floor of the museum, close to the entrance. If you'd like to discuss or let us know about any SEND requirements, please email the elves (Learning Team) at museumeducation@maidstone.gov.uk Good to know before you book Booking more than one child? Please book consecutive time slots (one child per slot) — your family will go in to see Father Christmas together. Please double-check your dates and times when booking, as we're unable to make changes once a booking is confirmed. You're welcome to take your own photos during your visit. Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the museum.   This event is in partnership with Maidstone Rotary Club

Come and learn the traditional copper foil stained glass method in this fun 2hr workshop, where you will make your own penguin tree decoration.  No experience necessary. Expert tuition and all materials will be provided. £25 per person Times: 2.30pm - 4.30pm OR 6.30 - 8.30pm

Join Christie, our lead artist at Creative Maidstone, for a scrumptious collage gingerbread man workshop. This workshop is ideal for under 16s and will include the use of fine motor skills; using scissors, pencils and gluesticks. Parents must stay with their child for the duration of the workshop. £4 per child | All materials provided

Create Your Resin Flower Bunch with this guided workshop by Mona Whitton! Join Mona Whitton, Kent-based artist, as she guides you through creating your resin flower bunch. All skills welcomed, and all materials provided. When : Saturday 12th December 2026 Timings : Three sessions 9-11am 12-2pm 3-5pm Price : £35 per person Age : 16+ Places : Limited to 10 places Accessibility : The room and our toilets are fully accessible via our lift. Booking is essential.

Come and learn how to create a beautiful ‘rag wreath’ to decorate your home this festive season. All materials will be provided, with a choice of fabrics available to suit your colour scheme, but you’re welcome to bring fabrics from your own stash too!   We’ll teach you how to create this really simple, but ever so effective, wreath in just a few simple steps. Then relax and get creative with your own design. You could even add baubles or other decorations if you like.   Max 10 spaces £20 per person

Bring your little artist to play with paints. Creative Maidstone’s lead artist, Christie. What to expect: * This activity will take around 45 minutes, and an adult must accompany children during the session. * Your little artists will get to use their imagination to paint whatever they can dream up. * You can leave artwork at the hub to dry and collect it another day WHAT YOU GET As well as building on your little ones' fine motor skills, you will also get to take home their amazing LEVEL: This workshop is ideal for toddlers ages 3 - 6 and will include the use of fine motor skills; such as holding a paintbrush & sponges. £2.50 per child | Booking Required | All materials provided

Meet the artist behind our February 2027 exhibition for an in-depth look into his portfolio of work and creative practice. During this Interactive Seminar, Marcus Price will talk about how important moments in his personal life and world events have permeated his poetry and painting. Marcus’ first publication ‘Asleep on the Volcano, The Poetic Landscape of Psychotherapy, 2021’ was written as a response to his experiences of a forensic psychiatric institution.      Marcus collaborated with Group Analyst and Author Mike Tait, with a second book, ‘The Visitors, A Journey of Questions in Words and Paintings - 2025.’ A fictional work which makes a powerful challenge to the way we understand contemporary institutions. His recent collection of paintings, ‘Identity Crises’ depicts images of hardly defined figures, mostly struggling or unable to place themselves in the world.      There will be plenty of time for discussion and reflection.       Schedule   10:00 - 10:30 Meet and coffee   10:30 - 12:00 Interactive Seminar  12:00 - 12:30 - More coffee, book signings, and goodbyes.

Think Maidstone is quiet? Think again. Step into a history of rebellion, battle, crime and punishment, where martyrs and mayhem lurk around every corner. Today’s Maidstone, with its busy streets, shops and cafés, has stood for centuries at the heart of conflict, rebellion, scandal and social change. Look at the town around you and you’ll find the dramatic events and larger-than-life characters that shaped it. What connects Maidstone to William the Conqueror, Wat Tyler, Henry VIII and Mary I? Uncover stories of power and resistance, of the crimes that shocked the town, the people who broke the rules and the harsh punishments they faced. We welcome you to find out what lies behind Maidstone’s martyrs and mayhem.