Beach of Dreams
Beach of Dreams aims to engage hundreds of thousands across the UK in a major interdisciplinary programme including commissioned artworks responding to coastal, environmental and climate themes; walks; journeys; participatory creative events; digital activity; talks and other events along the UK coastline in the 4 nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Beach of Dreams invites participants and audiences to work together to create a hopeful perspective on the future of our coast and planet. By walking the coastline and sharing stories about its past, present and future, we can learn about coastal and climate challenges, and imagine how we can work towards a positive future.
Collecting Dreams, Shifting Futures
Funded by Historic England
What role does the shifting coast play in shaping our collective dreams?
A collaborative story-gathering project that brings together local communities from three key locations along the East Coast: Great Yarmouth (delivered by Out There Arts), Harwich, and Orford Ness (both delivered by Essex Book Festival).
Through a rich exploration of heritage sites, creativity, and walking, the project delves into both the shared and distinct coastal histories of these areas. With a special emphasis on coastal heritage, the initiative centres on inclusivity, working closely with diverse local communities and groups with access needs.
Harwich Exploration Weekend
Essex Book Festival is hosting a special weekend of activities for four local community groups on 16th and 17th November to explore and reflect on the fascinating history of Harwich. Participants will be invited to tell their own stories of what the town means to them via workshops led by a writer, digital artist and a local archivist. All of the stories created will feed into a new national digital platform as part of the project: Beach of Dreams.
Get involved!
In addition to our four community workshops, Essex Record Office will be hosting a free oral recording session between 4-5pm on Saturday 16th November. If you would like to take part in this session, email hello@essexbookfestival.org.uk. The more story-gatherers the better!
Artists – Get Involved
We are looking for skilled writers and digital artists for a story gathering project which collaborates with the local communities in Harwich and in Orford Ness, in a heritage, creative and walks-based exploration of their shared and differed coastal heritage.
Supported by Historic England, this project aligns with a national festival called Beach of Dreams, which will take place at the Out There International Festival of Outdoor Arts and Circus in May 2025.
Artists will lead workshops to explore the hopes, fears, stories, and dreams of the local coastal community. These stories will be shared on digital platforms and in a stunning visual display of thousands of locally designed silk flags, made and carried by the public to inspire and bring about positive change in reflection of the past.
Digital Artist Brief, Orford Ness
Application Deadline: 14th October 2024 – Applications are now closed
