Messums East

21/09/2026

MESSUMS ONLINE PRINT AUCTION Open NOW

What happens when people come together to make, learn and create?

Over the past 18 months, we’ve been working in partnership with the Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft, as part of the development of Messums East.

A really important part of that relationship has been thinking about how creative activity can bring people together, open up opportunities to learn new skills, and create lasting connections within a community.

Recently, we brought 20 participants together for a day of Tetrapak printmaking, facilitated by the wonderful .kitches.

What happened was simple, but powerful: people came together, experimented, played, learnt something new and made things. And the results were wonderful.

The prints created during the workshop are testament to what can happen when artists and communities have the time, space and encouragement to explore creativity together. Each participant brought their own ideas and approach, creating a collection of unique prints full of character, experimentation and the traces of the making process.

It also sparked a bigger thought for us at Messums Creative: could participation itself become part of how we sustain and support the creative work happening in our communities?

This auction is one small experiment in that thinking.

The prints have been generously donated by the workshop participants, and every bid will help raise funds for the Seagull Theatre, supporting the important work they do and helping create more opportunities for people to access, experience and participate in creativity.

We hope you’ll enjoy exploring the collection and perhaps find a unique piece of artwork made by our community that you’d like to own and enjoy the connections it makes for you.

The online auction launches tonight at 8pm.

Opens: 20 September, 8pm
Closes: 27 September, 8pm
UK postage available or collection from the Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft.

Explore the prints and place your bid via the link in our bio.

10/09/2026

Please help spread the word and support our friends at the seagull theatre who are hosting a fundraising art auction to support the fantastic work they do in our community

08/09/2026

NEW children’s workshop booking open. Come and join us at The Seagull Theatre on 20th Sept. This workshop is kindly supported by Suffolk County Council.

Messums art workshops for young people!

🎨 Tell Your Story – Print Making Workshop
👥 Aged 11 and under
📅 20th September
🕰 10am - 12pm
🎟 Free - Donations welcome
🔗 https://www.ticketsource.com/seagulltheatre/tell-your-story-print-making-workshop-for-primary-aged-children/2026-09-20/10:00/t-dkjjqeq

📍Studio 1 (Upstairs), The Seagull
👕 The activity may be messy - please dress accordingly

10/08/2026

We are thrilled to be announce that we are supporting Unlimited's Partner Awards, and offering a £40,000 award for a new visual arts installation made by a disabled artist.

Our Unlimited Partner Award supports a disabled artist based in England to create a site-responsive and socially engaged piece for our Sculpture Park.

A quarter of the UK population is disabled, yet disabled artists remain significantly under-represented in arts funding, programming, and audiences. Unlimited's Partner Awards are working to close that gap, offering a total of £280,000 in support.

Rosy Gray, our Head of Living Art, said: “We’re so excited to be partnering with Unlimited on the Partner Awards. It’s such a fantastic opportunity to support the development of a new site-responsive work for the Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park.”

Apply by Monday 28 September at https://weareunlimited.org.uk/opportunities/apply/partner-awards-2026-27/england/large-awards-25k-and-over/sainsbury-centre/

05/08/2026

STUDIO SPACES
We're looking for artists to join our growing creative community at The National Provincial Studios at Messums East.

Studio 8, on the second floor, is a shared studio space available for artists working in drawing, painting or textiles.

Studio spaces start from £213 per calendar month for a quarter of the studio, with the option to rent half the space if you'd prefer.

If you're looking for an inspiring place to make work, connect with other artists, and be part of a thriving creative community, we'd love to hear from you.

👉 Complete our Expression of Interest form via the link in our bio or below
https://www.messumscreative.com/east/national-provincial-studios

26/06/2026

Messums art workshops for young people!

🎨 Tell Your Story – Print Making Workshop
👥 Aged 5 - 10
📅 19th July, 16th August and 20th September
🕰 10am - 12pm
🎟 Free - Donations welcome
🔗 theseagull.co.uk/seagull_shows/tell-your-story-print-making-workshop-for-primary-aged-children/

🎨 Pocket Zine – Print Making Course
👥 Aged 11 - 16
📅 19th July, 16th August and 20th September
🕰 1pm - 3pm
🎟 Free - Donations welcome
🔗 theseagull.co.uk/seagull_shows/pocket-zine-a-print-making-course-for-young-people-aged-11-16/

❗Please note - Participants must attend all three sessions (codes for next sessions will be sent after attendance at first session)
📍Studio 1 (Upstairs), The Seagull
👕 The activities may be messy - please dress accordingly

24/06/2026

The Old Post Office is getting closer to opening, and we'd love to share where we're up to.

Join us at The Seagull on 5 July to meet the team, hear about the plans for the building, and find out what's coming next. There'll also be an opportunity to chat with us, ask questions, and share your thoughts and ideas as we prepare to open the doors.

Everyone is welcome. More information and free tickets via the link in our bio.

02/06/2026

There are still places available at our next Messums art workshop!

🎨 Catch of the Day – A Tetrapak Printing Workshop
📅 Sunday 7th June
🕰 10.30am - 3.30pm
🎟 Free - Donations welcome

Tetrapak printing is a fun and easy to use print form that repurposes cartons and produces amazing effects direct from your drawings.
Using the insides of cartons, you will scratch out your drawing using an etching tool, cut out shapes or make textures with different tapes to create an original design.

🎟 BOOK HERE - https://theseagull.co.uk/seagull_shows/catch-of-the-day-a-tetrapak-printing-workshop/

16/02/2026

Lowestoft is entering the competition to become UK Town of Culture in 2028 and we are leading the bid.

👉 We want YOU to get involved!

There are two local public meetings coming up where you can get involved -

📆 Monday 23rd February
📍 Battery of Ideas – London Road North
🕰 2.00pm

📆 Wednesday 25th February
📍 The Seagull Theatre – Morton Road
🕰 6.00pm

Or register your interest by completing the survey here - https://tinyurl.com/culture-questionnaire