Now Festival Margate update

Here at CommunityAd, we are all about the community events, especially ones that all can enjoy without being priced out. That’s why we made it a priority to cover the Margate Festival  which offers a plethora of free creative events and exhibitions, it’s called ‘Now’ and it’s ongoing right now. We were there when the festival started at the glorious Garden Gate, we covered the unveiling of Chu’s handmade installation and we had a presence across the weekend.

Taking a sun-soaked Saturday stroll along the Royal Esplanade, from Westgate to Margate, I was almost blinded by shine. Among the sea-defence boulders beneath the Nayland Rock opposite the mini golf there was a man upon the mount, silver shone from his hands. As I got closer it became apparent he was wrapping the sizeable boulders in foil. I approached the artist who was completely captivated in his work, I attempted to break the ice with ‘I bet you’re handy to have around the house at Christmas, what with wrapping the Turkey’. He didn’t quite understand what I was trying to say, well he certainly didn’t laugh. He responded ‘it’s art for the festival’.

The artist, Helder Clara told me of his ‘site-specific installation’ which is entitled ‘Now you see me, Now you don’t’. Which he assured my squinting face is “a bit bright today but when it is less sunny from a distance it will make for something very beautiful, say on a grey evening”. The shimmering stones have received some negative feedback due to environmental fears but Helder tells me that it’s all environmentally friendly. If you’re walking past Westbrook Promenade you’ll notice the rocks no doubt, and if you’re lucky you’ll see Helder wrapping the boulders in shiny silver, the rocks shall be wrapped till the 30^th September.

Sand Castles being built on Margate Main Sands

Continuing along the promenade reaching Margate main sands, a flurry of volunteer architects were busy mass producing sandcastles. I interviewed one of them, Paul who is a proud resident of Arlington house and couldn’t help but get involved. “I have fond memories of building huge sandcastles on Margate beach with my dad when I was a kid. So this is second nature to me”.

Arriving at the Turner, weekenders and locals alike were feeling the festival vibe as a sixteen-foot inflated man was waltzed around by merry dancers. Turner Contemporary resembled the mayflower pole ceremony, colourful confetti shot through the air, and crowds clapped. Inside the Turner, Artist Jordan Gray was continuing his community effort as part of his ‘Faces of Thanet’ endeavour. The banner of created faces, created by young and old, will be unveiled within the next week and we’ll be sure to be their to see the proud faces of Thanet gazing upon Jordan’s ‘Faces of Thanet’.

For full programme of events check out – https://www.margatefestival.org/

Artist Jordan Gray screen printing as part of his ‘Faces of Thanet’ exhibition

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