What's On?
This reader-led exploration 1-18 April 2023 embraces multiple creative responses to Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands.
“Confidence in my own powers” – Festival Opening Event
Join us at Christ Church, St Leonards, for the launch of A Town Explores A book 2023! An evening of live music and conversation led by our early-career artist team
Outdoor Art Trail
Explore the art trail to explore the book! The outdoor art in the open spaces of St Leonards-on-Sea invites you outside for multiple visits to consider what this heritage book
Shop Window Displays
The independent businesses in the town offer their perspectives on Mary Seacole’s book in a trail of window displays…
Bohemia Creative Quarter Sunday
Pick up your hand-made festival passport and explore the creative businesses in Bohemia Creative Quarter, complete with activities and live music…
Breakfast & Read Aloud at The Clifton Centre
A free family event at The Clifton Centre bringing Mary Seacole’s words to life
“Longing to travel” – Active Arts Community Exhibition
An exhibition of work by the Active Arts community at The Clifton Centre, inspired by their exploration of the life of Mary Seacole
Challenges in Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands – exhibition by Zoom Arts
Zoom Arts collective explore the theme of challenge in Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands.
Unmasked and Stripped Bare – exhibition by Yasmin Aishah and Ruby Colley
Two sound installations at Hattons Yard by artists Yasmin Aishah and Ruby Colley.
Seaview’s Masks – community exhibition at Seaview
An exhibition by the Seaview community exploring Mary Seacole’s writing through masks
Kings Road Street Party
Fun for all the family this Easter Sunday, 11am-3pm on Kings Road, St Leonards, feat. dog show, family workshops, games, live music & poetry stage. Don’t miss it!
Workshop: Make a porcelain boat
Make a boat in porcelain to hang in your home with Liz Emtage of Pelham’s, in Kings Road. The workshops run over two afternoons
Family Print Workshop at Little Mashers
A drop-in family print workshop at Little Mashers, inspired by the themes in Mary Seacole’s book.
Home Front – Exhibition by Jude Montague
Exploring news reportage and images from the first Crimean War. How did people feel about what was going on far away – how connected did they feel?
The British Hotel – exhibition by Black Butterfly
Black Butterfly imagine The British Hotel, the provisions store, canteen, and medical centre set up by Mary Seacole to serve soldiers in the Crimea in the 1850s.
“Sharp edge of our grief” – film, live music & conversation
Two artist teams take Mary Seacole’s book on a creative journey. Join us at Archer Lodge for the screening of a film by Rod Morris, Etienne Cutmore-Kourouma and Jac Holt,
Four Courts Festival Weekend
Join us at Four Courts Wellbeing Hub on the final weekend of the festival for live music, exhibitions, food and community!
2023 Creative Writing Competition
#ATownExploresABook23’s creative writing competition is inspired by Mary Seacole’s travelogue, Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands – a heritage book with descriptions of Mary’s travel experiences.
The theme
