Over the past year, This Is Us! has brought together communities from across Castle Point in a vibrant collaboration with local artists, shaping the borough’s future through creativity. Led by Metal and Estuary Festival and commissioned by Castle Point Borough Council, the project has given voice to the dreams and stories of residents, helping to inform the Castle Point Local Plan in a truly meaningful way.
The resulting exhibition at HOFS, which ran from 30 January – 2 February, was a true celebration of the people. It was amazing to see the work come together collectively, each piece adding to a larger, shared story of identity, creativity, and community pride.
From storytelling and sculpture to painting, photography, journals, and short films, the exhibition showcased the borough’s rich character and the deep connections between its residents.
A huge thank you to the local community groups, artists, and residents who contributed to this extraordinary journey.
Artists featured:
Yellow Door Film & soundtrack with Kelly Buckley (@kelly_buckley_)
Artistic Adventures oil paintings and poetry with Pearl Schreiber
Jotmans Primary School animated map installation with Laura Whiting (@laura_whiting_)
Cornelius Vermuyden landscape artworks with Simon Keenleyside (@simon_keenleyside)
Open Arts creative journals with Sally Chinea (@sallychinea)
Little Lions installation by Erene Dellaporta (@erenedellart ) and mural by Charlie Stafford (@staffordfineart.co.uk)
Desire Paths creative walks with Kate Monson (@kate.monson), Liam Heatherson (lh_lostlandscapes) and Laura Whiting (@laura_whiting_)
George Morgan: Filmmaker (@georgemorgan_)
Tessa Hallmann: Photography (@tessahallmann)
Follow the journey and stay updated at #ThisIsUsCastlePoint
Photography by Tessa Hallmann & Amber Merry.
