Just 25 days before Sandown submits its final bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028, residents are invited to a free evening of art, performance and storytelling at GRAFT Studios in the old Town Hall.
The Studios are a new space for artists and the community in the restored historic building, and the Tide Turners Kinship Gathering on Thursday 5th November 2026 is open to all.
Free evening for the whole community
GRAFT Studios directors Emma Souter and Gareth Rees say,
“We see this as an event for everyone who’s behind Sandown and the bid for Town of Culture, a gathering and celebration of support, momentum and all the knowledge learned along the way. It’s for anyone who wants to know more about the bid and join in.”
From 7pm to 9pm, the evening will provide a relaxed place for supporters to connect and explore what a winning bid could mean for Sandown, with talks by key members of the bid team and an open floor for thoughts and ideas.
Help shape the final bid
Head of Sandown Town of Culture Engagement, Joe Redston, says,
“From care home residents to home educators, we’ve been reaching out across the community because the Town of Culture bid should belong to the whole town.
“This gathering is an opportunity to look at the ideas together and help shape the final bid. Come along, share your voice, and help turn the tide for Sandown.”
How to book free tickets
Free tickets for the event need to be booked via the Graft website, indicating the number of tickets required and using the ‘Add to Cart’ button.
What’s on during the evening
The evening features a packed line-up, including:
- Radio Free Sandown at 7.30 pm – a scratch performance of an open-source, surreal play about a late-night radio broadcast beaming from the end of the pier, written and performed by Sandown-based writers;
- Graft Workshops – creative activities, including pinning wishes for Sandown on the ‘Swishing Line’ and the chance to have your say on what you’d like to see if Sandown becomes the 2028 Town of Culture;
- Sandown Trove Exhibition – a unique, unflinchingly honest portrait of the town anchored by Boojum & Snark’s writer-in-residence Anmarie Bowler who penned five original stories inspired by Sandown, including We Are The Tide Turners inspired the the Town of Culture WhatsApp group.
Photography showing Sandown’s character
Alongside flash fiction is photography. Zoe Barker’s thought-provoking images take an unfiltered look at Sandown’s urban landscape.
Zoe reflect,
“I was anxious that the resulting images would only reinforce the ‘poor old Sandown’ narrative. But as I began my photographic journey, I discovered something unexpected.
“There always seemed to be something positive and beautiful within the frame, no matter what the subject.”
In addition, photographer and curator Simon Avery will be exhibiting powerful black-and-white portraits of the Sandown community, celebrating the town’s human heart with a nod to the Victorian carte de visite style.
News shared by Paul on behalf of Sandown Tide Turners. Ed
