Join Yvonne Hercules for a musical journey through Black Femininity and its nuances referencing alternative folk, alternative soul, jazz and rock genres, as she showcases songs from her EP entitled ‘Olive’. Book here. ‘Olive’ is partly inspired by the life & work of feminist activist Olive Morris and will be released 9 June 2023 on […]

Book a workshop ticket here! Limited spaces A walking workshop exploring place-based writing through techniques such as concrete poetry, psychogeography and mark-making. Led by Bella and Elaine from London based publishing project Fieldnotes, this session will focus on process and conversations, capturing our settings through a blend of writing and drawing. All levels of experience […]

Book a workshop ticket here! Limited spaces If you have an interest in writing or performing, this is for you! Dig into your roots with Jake and Hazel, part of the poet led team behind lively spoken word night Words In Chalk. Together, we’ll be exploring self-expression, emotive language, figurative phrases and performance tips, with […]

A lively and popular spoken word poetry event which brings together an eclectic line-up of writers and performers from Essex and beyond. Come along and see who takes the stage at this Essex Writers House special, hosted by Southend born and bred poet Hollie Dee and headlined by Hazel Mehmet and Bethany Down. With many […]

Book a ticket here through Essex Film Collective! £5 for non-members of Essex Film Collective Everyone has a story to tell. Come and explore how you can shape your personal stories for screen.  Essex Film Collective is collaborating with George Morgan of Essex Visual Arts to bring you a dynamic workshop on on dramatising personal […]

Book here to join    Join us at Chalkwell Hall for the Southend launch of Daniel Kramb’s new book of poetry — Little Estuaries, published by the brand new UK imprint of Amsterdam’s HetMoet, HetMoet-Menard, and featuring cover art by Louisa Albani. “Gloriously spare and strange and compendious and tender, like a hymn.” — Sara […]

Book a free ticket to the online discussion here We will be introducing the wider project themes and discussing the process involved in creating the film. Beverley hosted a series of Gatherings at four UK socially engaged arts spaces (Metal, Liverpool, Grand Union, Birmingham, Lux, London and Newbridge Project, Newcastle), where women and non-binary individuals were guided […]

Book a ticket while you can! A writers’ social with a twist!  Come along to meet new people swap notes and be entertained. With an opportunity to share your own projects and original work, ideal for any emerging writers or local creatives looking to reach a friendly audience. Expect an element of surprise from our […]

Metal Day Trip to Tilbury Cruise Terminal Tilbury. Belongings: Windrush 75 with Evewright Arts Foundation Saturday 24 June 10am - 6.30pm £4 per person Book a seat on our coach to visit Belongings: Windrush 75, presented by Evewright Arts Foundation. Get your tickets here. This exciting sound and art installation commemorates and celebrates the people […]

An opportunity for Black students, graduates or school-leavers of Essex, aged 16 - 18 years old. Mon 26 and Tues 27 June  10am – 4pm at Metal on both days. Join the two-day workshop here! Concerned about school timetable? Check out our offer and the suggestion points below.  A two day workshop at Essex Writers […]

Join us for our third Drawing Social event taking place at Granby Winter Garden on Monday 26 June from 5pm – 6.30pm ✏️ The Drawing Social is a new bi-monthly, informal and women-led drawing network. The events are open to any creatives, of all skills and backgrounds, interested in exploring storytelling through print, zines, and […]

Join the Read-Through by booking a ticket here!  We* are putting on an exciting theatrical production ABOUT Southend pier and ON Southend pier - for schools and for the public - from 19th - 23rd of September, but before we do that, we need your help!   Our acts span the pier's long and fascinating […]

Book a free ticket here! Myths of Essex  Essex boys, witchcraft, forgotten histories and a home like no other...  An evening at Chalkwell Hall with four brilliant writers, artists and activists, each with a unique knowledge of Essex and the stories it holds.   Join our guests as we delve into the myths, legends and […]

Book to attend the launch here! The first novel from Essex writer and author Rose Cleary, published by Weatherglass Books. An opportunity to hear from Rose and purchase your own copy on the night. “a fierce, disturbing and funny debut novel about desire, art and what we’ll risk to change ourselves”   About Rose Cleary […]

As part of this year's Leigh Art Trail, we commissioned local writers group Estuary Writers to take over the waiting room on Platform One at Leigh-on-Sea train station.   Estuary Writers were given the brief 'The Waiting Room' in April 2023, with a 100-word limit and open genre. They visited the site together to find […]

Come and create with us! Professional street artist Karl Sims will give you a taster of working with the medium of spray can art. In Chalkwell Park, next to Metal’s Chalkwell Hall you will be able to explore new techniques on large-scale canvases. This workshop is free and there is no need to book, just […]

Thursday 20 July 7pm - 10pm £20 + booking fee BOOK HERE! Scared of Shakespeare? Hated it at school? Or perhaps you like Shakespeare but want to learn to love it? Good news! Coming to Metal on Thursday 20 July is a one off, 3 hour Shakespearean workshop with Southend based, professional actor and playwright, Anne […]