Saturday 22nd October to Friday 28th October 2022
Join Focal Point Gallery for this year’s Digifest celebrations!
The 2022 programme is set to inspire you to explore creativeness through the ever-growing digital world. Taking inspiration from our new exhibition; ‘Receiver’, we aim to develop artistic ideas through moving image, music and sound.
Focal Point Gallery’s group exhibition ‘Receiver’ featuring artworks by Appau Jr Boayke-Yiadom, Frazer Merrick, Joe Namy and Nastassja Simensky. ‘Receiver’ brings together four artist that consider sound in relation to innovative technologies, placemaking and environmental concerns.
Creative Open Day
Saturday 22nd October 2022 | Free and open to all!
Our Digifest Creative Open Day will be a day of performance poetry, led by artist, Repeat Beat Poet (Peter deGraft-Johnson) and an opportunity to showcase the talent in our corner of South East Essex! Join us as a participant, a performer or an audience member. Soft drinks will be available and we are welcome to all.
The day will be split between two events:
Poetry Writing and Creation Workshop
11am to 1pm
Have the opportunity to write your own poems that Peter describes as blessings, memorials, prophecies, and survivor’s guides for soldiering through modern life. This workshop will take you through the process of writing poems and participants will learn the techniques and tips Peter uses in his own work.
Open Mic Session
2pm to 4pm
Dust off the acoustic guitar, sing your favourite, bring some comedy, showcase your party piece or share your poetry. All forms of artistic expression are welcome. You can take part as a performer or as an audience member, just be sure to select the right ticket!
Create your own adventure Part 1 & Part 2
Saturday 22nd October & Sunday 23rd October | 11am – 1pm | Aged 60+ | Free
This is a two-part special as part of our Contemporary Elder’s programme! Join us for two days of creative digital exploring! Create stories where your readers choose what happens next, using open-source game design software “Twine” in our Contemporary Elder’s event led by artist, Laura Trevail.
In this pair of slow-tech workshops, you will learn the basics of “Twine”, and have plenty of relaxed, supported writing time. You will make an interactive digital short story, in which your readers’ choices have consequences! The stories can be hosted online, read offline, or used as scripts for live interactive storytelling.
All you need for these workshops is a laptop running Chrome browser, and a sense of curiosity. A mouse is recommended for comfort, but not essential. “Twine” runs in your browser, so you will not need to download any additional software to your computer. You will be taught and supported in using “Twine”, and you do not need to be already tech-savvy. If you can write text, open files, and browse the internet, you’re golden for this. Please note, masks are mandatory at this workshop.
Photography Through Time
Monday 24th October | 1pm – 3:30pm | Ages 8 – 14 years | Free
A journey through the history of photography from cyanotypes through to modern day DSLR. Join us at Focal Point Gallery for this interactive workshop led by photography artist, Laurence Harding. We will learn the process of creating cyanotype prints from photographs taken on an exploration round Southend City, capturing the life, soul, and sound of Southend in a still image.
No equipment is necessary but do feel free to bring along your own DSLR camera if you have one!
Light Painting Workshop
Tuesday 25th October 2022 | 1pm – 4pm | Ages 8 to 16 years | Free Workshop
Join us at Focal Point Gallery to create your own light painting, led by deaf artist, Damien Robinson.
This workshop is for young people aged 8 to 16 years, who are welcome to bring along a parent/carer or someone to support. Parents/carers are welcome to join in too! BSL interpreters will be present for the workshop.
In this workshop, you will make your own small colour-changing light to experiment with and you can take it home with you. We will work collaboratively, creating light patterns in front of specially adapted equipment which will capture our moving lights. Damien uses a process where we work in a space with lower lighting – not blackout!
After the workshop, we will email you a digital copy of the image you make.
Video Game Design Workshop
Wednesday 26th October | 1pm to 4pm | Ages 11+
With artist, Frazer Merrick, learn to use Construct3, the powerful and FREE game design engine that allows you to make games for phones, tablets, computers and games consoles.
Over the course of the workshop you’ll experiment with designing exciting game levels, adding special features and creating artwork.
All equipment will be provided and no previous experience required. Just a willingness to get involved be creative!
Animator’s Toolbox
Friday 28th October | 11am – 4pm | Ages 14 years + | £3
Bring your character to life with the help of character animator/designer, Kate Sullivan.
You’ll quickly learn fundamental techniques that animators have been using for decades to bring their characters to life. Once learned, these tips and tricks can be applied to ANY style or genre of animation – paper and pencil, stop-motion model, games, VFX and more!
Throughout the day you’ll see your drawings come to life before your eyes, all using a free software that you can use from home.
We have a limited number of iPad’s available to book with your ticket if you need one. Please feel free to bring your own if you have access to one.
Join us in these FREE workshops by booking through our Eventbrite.