Southend Sails - NOW! Sign up for free workshops in Southend during February 2026
Join us in February and March 2026 to design and create Southend Sails, a new community-made textile artwork for Southend High Street.
About
Join us for relaxed, hands-on workshops that bring people of all ages and backgrounds together to help create Southend Sails – a bold new public artwork for Southend.
Across a series of friendly design and making sessions, you’ll be invited to share ideas, learn new skills and work alongside others to create a large-scale textile piece using recycled boat sails and silk. Everyone is welcome – whether you sew, draw, stitch, or simply want to be part of something creative and collective.
The workshops are led by artist Katrin Mountain, working with recycled sails and silk remnants from Kinetika’s collection.
Workshops are delivered in collaboration with Create 98, Brazilarte Academy and Welcome to the UK.
Southend Sails is a project by Kinetika, commissioned by Southend-on-Sea City Council and funded through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
What you’ll do
Across a series of design and making sessions, participants will:
Explore ideas through discussion, drawing and simple design exercises
Learn basic sewing and embroidery techniques
Work collaboratively to create a large-scale textile installation
Reflect on life by the sea and the Thames Estuary
At the heart of the project is one shared question:
What makes you feel like you’ve got the wind in your sails?
The finished artwork will carry messages of hope, love and motivation, and will be installed in the heart of Southend.
Location
All sessions take place at Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend - either at Brazilarte or Create98 units - you will be emailed more details after you book your tickets.
Accessibility & Experience
Free to attend
No prior experience needed
All materials provided
Friendly, supportive and informal environment
Book for one or more sessions and stay as long as you'd like