Ashford Music Society

Mrs. Brenda McCormack "Bumbles", The Lees, Boughton Aluph, Ashford, Kent TN25 4HX

Telephone: 01233 622971 Email: Macatbumbles@aol.com

Ashford Photographic Society

Ashford Photographic Society caters for photographers of all abilities and interests. They meet every Friday evening at St Mary's Parish Hall in Ashford town centre. For more information visit the Ashford Photographic Society website.

Ashford Visual Artists (AVA)

AVA is an association of professional visual artists connected with the Borough of Ashford and its rural areas.

Founded in 1999, AVA aims to develop the practice and appreciation of the visual arts in the region by promoting exhibitions and events. Members include artists in the fields of painting, photography, video, graphics, textiles, installation, sculpture, metalwork, jewellery, furniture design and other media.

Visit the Ashford Visual Artists website

Basketmakers South East

A regional group of makers and fibre artists who regularly meet as well as run short workshops at Yonsea Farm.  Courses range from Willow sculpture, Practical Coppicing and Primative Bow Making, run by AJS Crafts.

Visit the AJS Crafts website

Live Literature Network East Kent

A network for writers, artists, producers and venues in East Kent.  What is live literature?  And where do you find it?  In theatres, libraries, bookshops, bars, galleries, public spaces - anywhere you encounter text that is live and dynamic, face to face.  It's more than poetry slams, readings, spoken word work or text-based installations - its all this and more.  It's Live Literature.  And it's happening in East Kent.

Visit the Live Literature website

Future Dance

Future Dance started as a small community project in Ashford and has now blossomed into the whole of East Kent.  The pilot project began at Kingsnorth School and now 6 months later have several after school clubs including the John Wesley, Beaver green two classes (infants and junior school.) Kingsnorth, Victoria Road, and six others in Folkestone/Dover area.  Wendy Richardson is an IDTA Dance Teacher and is the Dance Manager. She has nine years experience of teaching children Freestyle Dance and Pauline Beer is the Operations Manager (Voluntary) with 20 years experience of Community Development and running Charities and businesses.  Look out for their summer clubs and future shows!  For more details please contact Pauline on 07846 631912.

House of Aces

House of Aces is an illustration collective comprised of three members, Dan Burrows, Louise Bragwin and Vicky Newman all who met through a local art school.  Since then they have spent less time in the hot metal type room and the canteen and more time working as professional illustrators.  House of Aces seeks to explore unexpected illustration and get it's fingers inky.

Visit Vicky Newman's Website

PANEK (Performing Arts Network East Kent)

PANEK aims to increase the amount of theatre and other live performance in the East Kent area.

Visit the Panek website

Singleton Giant

Flora the Singleton Giant is officially the largest resident the Ashford has ever seen.

Created by Strange Cargo Arts Company, 14ft Flora stands on a wheeled wooden frame using a combination of basketwork, papier mache and textiles. Designed to reflect the borough it represents, her costume refers to the natural surroundings, from bark and leaves in her cloak to the lizards, which cascade down her back.

Flora is now looked after by the community of Singleton and graces many local and national events.

For more information on Flora, please email amanda.chappell1@ntlworld.com or visit Flora's website.

For further details on all the Giants and Strange Cargo’s artistic activities, please visit the Strange Cargo website.

Stour Valley Arts

Open air venue with international works of art in Kings Wood, Challock.

Visit the Stour Valley Arts website

Shiva Nova

Shiva Nova Arts Company brings an outstanding line up of leading international musicians, dancers and storytellers to Ashford. This World Series is supported by Ashford Borough Council and the Arts Council England.

Visit the Shiva Nova website

UK Body Painting Festival

Two day festival held in Mersham, Ashford, sporting the best face and body painting exhibits in the Country.