Featured Events in Walton on the Naze in August 2025 (August Updated)

Calling all budding marine biologists, geographers, geologists, and other curious minds! Explore and discover in our education room, come science lab, using microscopes and simple experiments, you can find out all about the rocks, fossils, and shells from our shoreline and the adaptations of the plants and creatures that live here  This is a family event, you must purchase a ticket for each person attending (children and adults). The car park is managed by Tendering District Council and parking charges apply.  We’ll go exploring whatever the weather, so please dress appropriately. Due to the outdoor nature of the event, all activities are subject to change. Children must be supervised by their attending adult at all times.  ❗Toilets are available at the Nature Discovery Centre. For more details about site facilities, please visit the Naze information page – you'll find the link in the address section, just below the event title. Please read the event booking terms and conditions below: Event booking terms and conditions Information Source: Essex Wildlife Trust | eventbrite

Thurs 7 Aug | 6-8PM In collaboration with The Nose @nosenaze 28 Newgate Street, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8AL Join us for an evening exploring the power and politics of alternative art education as part of the mini book launch tour of How to set up an art school . Emma Edmondson and Ames Pennington will host a workshop come conversation, looking at the themes of the book and asking what makes a bad art school, what makes a good one and how shared experiences can build a utopian space for creative learning together. How to Set Up an Art School serves as a guide for artists looking to establish alternative art schools and those interested in the current state of contemporary art education. This event will act as a launch for the publication through some conversation, making and games to invite people in to imagine their own art schools. Emma Edmondson and Ames Pennington have been involved in alternative art education for nearly a decade - Ames created illustrations for the publication and Emma contributed two essays and curated the book. This event will be a chance to explore the book deeper and all are welcome to join - whether you’re interested in art education, DIY practice, playful making or artist-run spaces! How to Set Up an Art School will be available to get on the night at the event, online and from stockists around the UK. This work has been funded by Arts Council England , Bruce McLean and Necessity . About the book: New Book How to Set Up an Art School Explores the Power and Politics of Alternative Art Education How to Set Up an Art School is a collection of essays, activities, illustrations and reflections, curated by Emma Edmondson, founder of The Other MA (TOMA). The book provides invaluable insights for artists seeking to establish alternative art schools and learning spaces, blending practical guidance with critical inquiry into the politics of creative education. Emerging from a climate of austerity, the book cites the founding of TOMA as an act of resistance against the dismantling of public creative education in the UK. It examines how the personal is inherently political, shedding light on the shared yet isolating experiences of artists navigating neoliberal structures. Tracing TOMA’s evolution from an experimental, process-driven studio initiative to a thriving artist-led educational platform, the book underscores the role of education as both an artistic medium and a form of activism. It encourages artists to envision themselves beyond the constraints of the traditional art market, embracing alternative modes of art-making as strategies for creative survival within capitalism. Key features include a detailed map of alternative art schools across the UK and documentation of collaborative dialogues where these schools reflect on their structures, successes, failures, and the potential for a collective support network. The book critically interrogates TOMA’s mission to support artists who face barriers to formal art education, questioning how these values translate into practice. Rooted in nearly a decade of activity, this publication has grown from conversations within, around, and beyond TOMA. It brings together contributions from and conversations featuring many voices – some whispered, some shouted, some credited, and some anonymous – the book includes contributions from Lolly Adams , Marsha Bradfield , Emma Edmondson , Gülşen Güler , Sophie Hope , Edi McGurk , Ames Pennington , Elle Reynolds alongside alternative learning models Alt MFA , Black Blossoms , Conditions , Day School , Feral Art School , Hastings Art School (now Nimble Art School ), not/nowhere , School of the Damned and Syllabus . The book also reimagines how alternative art schools can be evaluated, exploring a methodology that captures the lived, embodied experiences of participants beyond conventional assessment frameworks. Ultimately, How to Set Up an Art School serves as both a practical resource and a critical reflection on the political, social, and creative stakes of independent art education. About The Other MA (TOMA) TOMA is an artist-led education model and exhibition programme based in Southend-on-Sea, dedicated to supporting artists who face barriers to traditional art education. Through its public programmes, TOMA fosters an inclusive environment that encourages experimental learning and community engagement. Information Source: The Other MA | eventbrite

Hunt for pebbles, shells, and fossils and discover more about your finds with our wilder learning team. Create a piece of natural art to leave on the beach and have a go at using our hand tools to make a necklace or decoration to take home. This session is best suited to children aged 5 - 12 years. Children remain your responsibility and must be supervised by an adult at all times. We'll go out whatever the weather so warm, waterproof layers and boots are recommended. Please note the beach is accessed by steep stairs and regretfully is not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The car park is managed by Tendring District Council and parking charges apply. No dogs at our events, please. Please read the event booking terms and conditions here: Booking terms and conditions Information Source: Essex Wildlife Trust | eventbrite