Welcome to Kingston Arts
Kingston Arts is a charitable organisation which represents and enhances the activities of arts’ bodies across the Royal Borough of Kingston. Amongst our own trade-mark events are the biennial ‘Festival of the Voice’ and our frequent ‘Arts Salons’ for networking.
Festival of the Voice
Jazz singer Billie Wackrill
Festival of the Voice draws upon a wealth of vocal talent and this year featured artists including conductors Ken Burton and Simon Toyne, renowned singers Robin Blaze and Heather Keens and popular band Tankus the Henge. Open Mic showcased phenomenal talents. Billie Wackrill stunned the audience with her beautiful and sultry tones and was later awarded a grant from ‘Young Kingston’ to develop her talents. We are thrilled that Billie is now creating her first solo album. Equally fabulous was Sophie Plummer, whom you may have spotted in Kingston’s Spotlight. Sophie’s voice turned shoppers’ heads in Eden Walk, during our Festival launch. The Festival also enjoyed new Commissions from local composers Kevin Jones and William Morris.
Arts Salons
Aine Lark, Chair of Kingston Arts with artist Benham Al Agzeer
Arts Salons provide exciting opportunities for Kingston Borough’s ‘creatives’ to network and platform their talents and initiatives. On 22nd October, 100+ people mingled in St Mark’s Hall, Surbiton and enjoyed inspiring and informative presentations from talented artists Keith Robinson and Terence Arpino. Theatre professionals Rea Mole and Stephanie Bain shared ideas for schools’ workshops, while Apryl Pipe invited us to experience dance to ease aching joints! We also had a motivating presentation from Omni’s John Gower. The Arts Salon was followed by a weekend of FREE activities. Participants enjoyed sessions in acting, hand-bell ringing, life drawing, music, dance and yoga. A special Evensong was also arranged by the Thames Philharmonic Choir to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.
Kingston Arts consistently delivers on its objective to be a central authority for the arts in Kingston. It maintains an expert panel of professional arts’ practitioners and other specialists. We support members in a variety of ways from attendance at events, performances and exhibitions to adjudication of competitions. We introduce members to each other, support collaborations, negotiate discounts with service providers and offer guidance and advice on various matters.
Through our social net-working sites, we actively promote organisations and maintain an online diary. We meet regularly and establish special interest groups to develop our business strategies and activities.
We invite you to join us and enjoy the wealth of creative talent and artistic initiatives that Kingston Borough has to offer.
Friends of Fircroft Art Exhibition - Until 31 May
Gala Night - 21 May 7pm - 9pm
Enjoy a fabulous exhibition of art at the cornerHOUSE Community Arts Centre throughout May & join us at our Gala Evening when we will be selling art and crafts to raise funds for the charity.
To attend the Gala, please contact Fircroft on 020-8399-1772 or email
office@thefircrofttrust.org
RSVP by Friday 17th May
the cornerHOUSE
Community Arts Centre
116, Douglas Road
Surbiton KT6 7SB
Fircroft Trust is a charity that supports adults with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities.
