©Franck Allais The Northfleet Place Partnership is made up of Creative Estuary, Gravesham Borough Council, and Ebbsfleet Development Corporation working together to increase the creative and cultural infrastructure of Northfleet. Investing in people, spaces and Northfleet communities, through a range of activities, that will ensure Northfleet has a vibrant creative landscape, with the ability to provide a range of high-quality opportunities for local people.
The Northfleet Place Partnership Programme was developed to acknowledge, invest and build on Northfleet’s creative community, which is made up of individuals, businesses and community groups. Allowing creatives at all stages of their professional development to be supported in growing and developing their creative ambitions. We’re delighted to announce our grant awardees for the three grant schemes:
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Meet our awardees:
Blueprint Arts is a grassroots community arts organisation delivering inclusive, wellbeing focused, and educational arts experiences. They work across Gravesham and Dartford with a focus on disadvantaged communities. Their mission is to weave arts and culture into everyday life, promoting wellbeing and community cohesion.
Supporting the second phase of their ‘Layers of Life Project’, Blueprint Arts intend to extend their reach through further community engagement. These activities will include oral histories, music and digital storytelling, creating an archive of lived experiences that have shaped the cultural landscape of Northfleet.
Cement Fields is a visual art organisation working collaboratively with artists and historically underserved communities to create ambitious new art along the Thames Estuary in North Kent. Their programme is an exploration of place and process, defined by the multiple shifting landscapes that stretch along the Thames. They invite artists, participants and audiences to use North Kent’s unique contexts to ask radical questions and explore new ideas. Through this interaction, they create experimental art and develop imagination, skills and pathways in creative careers.
Cement Fields are using the funding to continue their work on the Ebbsfleet Citizens Archive. Running workshops alongside artist Exodus Crooks and young people across Northfleet to explore and respond to the various geographies and histories that have impacted this community.
Mona Whitton is a visual artist working across a range of media, including stained glass, clay, metals, and textiles. Primarily known for her stained glass pieces, Mona’s creative practice extends to exploring the tactile qualities of the materials she works with. Beyond her artistic endeavours, Mona is dedicated to engaging with the local community. She regularly delivers mixed media art sessions, fostering creativity and artistic expression in local schools and community groups.
Mona is using her Northfleet Place Partnership funding to work closely with the community of Northfleet. Engaging with audiences through public led workshops to create a float that will be on display during the Northfleet Carnival 2025.
Based in Northfleet North, No Walls Gardens provides greater connection to the community through work experience and skills training by carrying out community gardening, greening and food growing projects. No Walls Gardens has 3 core spaces: The Secret Garden (fruit and veg growing, clay oven), The Shed (woodwork, arts and crafts space) and Enchanted Garden (green space, raised stage and fire-pit). No Walls Gardens aims to strengthen the community through skill-based training and work experience opportunities.
With the support of the Northfleet Place Partnership, No Walls Gardens will be revamping their community spaces. Giving the space a makeover as well as launching a new range of creative community workshops.
Founded by Kristina Smith, Ark Jewellery creates exquisite handmade jewellery committed to ethical production. Kristina crafts limited-edition artisan pieces designed to be cherished and passed down through generations. Building on this success, 2023 saw the birth of Ark Heritage, a curated platform showcasing independent heritage crafts and sustainably made products. Ark Heritage provides a space for exceptional artisans to share their unique creations.
It’s her mission to create a community hub for creativity and sustainable living – running pop-up artisan markets so support the creative communities in Northfleet and beyond.
Abolore Sobayo is a visual artist with two decades of experience in the cultural and creative sector. He creates thought-provoking contemporary art that generates debate and archives history. Using art as a tool to inspire positive change in communities. Sobayo’s conviction on the universality of art as a tool for social change drove him to establish the Jelosimi Art Center (JAC). JAC is dedicated to fostering creativity and self-expression by providing a supportive environment where individuals of all ages can explore their artistic potential through a diverse range of art workshops tailored to young children, teens, adults, and seniors.
JAC will be turning their attention to widening their creative practice and workshop offers within the communities of Northfleet.
Natasha Osei is a dynamic freelance and multi-creative entrepreneur with a proven track record of excellence in events production, talent management, creative direction, and marketing strategy. Having collaborated with globally renowned brands like Google, Netflix, Chanel, Sky, Apple and CIC organisations, 50:50 Parliament.
Now, Natasha is channeling this experience into launching a solution-first talent management and marketing agency, TNOA. TNOA is dedicated to empowering multidisciplinary creatives, visual artists, entertainers and brands. The agency’s mission is to provide tailored support systems that prioritise wellness, prevent burnout, and craft innovative strategies to nurture and elevate their brands.
Ulla Tervo is an architect and founder of Ulla Tervo Architects. She is passionate about creating healthy buildings that have research-backed benefits for occupants and owners, as well as sustainable construction practices. She believes that good architecture should enhance human wellbeing.
With the support of the Northfleet Place Partnership, UTA will be expanding their market research by doing a deep dive into the community needs of building occupants in Northfleet. UTA has a focus to deliver their research in Northfleet North to establish relationships in the area and build a growing reputation as the go-to company for architectural advice.
Harriet Hammond has recently finished studying Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, London. Some recent group exhibitions include ‘Papillon’ at Daston Den, (2023) ‘OFFPRINT’ at the Tate Modern (2024) and ‘RIPOSTE dinner party rave’ at Electrowerkz (2024).
Harriet has a strong passion for the growing art community in the Northfleet. Harriet’s work involves sculpture, performance and video, usually containing a spillage of bright colours, animals, food, bugs and made up characters to depict themes of surrealism, chaos, hierarchy, class, nostalgia, consumption and neurodivergence.
Harriet will be using the Northfleet Place Partnership to further her skills in jewellery design and silver sculpture.
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Jonathan is an enthusiastic photographer. He covers a range of topics – from events to portrait photography and the natural world. In addition to his photography work Jonathan is also a drone pilot, capturing natural and cityscapes.
Jonathan is using his Northfleet Place Partnership Development Grant to invest in greater camera equipment, improving his photography quality alongside upskilling in newer tech.
Mandy Hudson has a studio at Clubb’s Yard, Northfleet. Mandy studied for her BA at Maidstone College of Art (KIAD) graduating in 1989. Many of her paintings are still life, based on accidental arrangements she comes across; things glimpsed in shop windows, on market stalls or plants and debris she sees on walks along the Thames estuary. She has shown in group exhibitions in the UK and internationally, including the shortlist exhibitions of The Marmite Prize for Painting and Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize.
Mandy is currently taking a printing and etching course, learning new techniques, at Gravesend Adult Education Centre as a result of the Northfleet Place Partnership.
Matt is a Kent-based designer specialising in sportswear and outdoor equipment. His work is deeply computer-driven, with 3D design and digital techniques at the forefront. He combines advanced fabric research with experimental pattern-cutting to enhance performance while maintaining a sleek aesthetic.
He aims to establish a design studio in Kent and launch a tailored clothing range for all conditions. Beyond apparel, Matt creates intricate digital graphics, particularly camouflage patterns. Matt will be further exploring surface design through the Northfleet Place Partnership.
Precious’ creative practice is as a content creator/presenter. She started making content on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram in 2023 after being made redundant from her previous job. Since then, she has collaborated with notable brands such as ‘Thatgrapejuice’, ‘Igor Hair’ and ‘InkeyList’. Overtime she has gained a significant online following. Additionally, she hosts a podcast called ‘The Gabbing Hour’.
Precious will be investing in greater recording and camera equipment through the Northfleet Place Partnership. Improving the quality of her content and reaching new audiences.
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