Every Wednesday
New location for August!
​This month Open House is moving to The Nest on Hastings High Street. Same chilled vibes with Khadija Khan, same great snacks, just a different space for working, chatting, or enjoying a cup of tea.
Dates & Times:
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6th August, 11am - 5pm at The Nest
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13th August, 11am - 5pm at The Nest
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20th August, 11am - 5pm at The Nest
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27th August, 11am - 5pm at The Nest
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3rd September, 11am - 8pm at The Nest (Late Night!)
From 10th September, Open House returns to its regular home at Afri-Co-Lab.
Individual classes: £15 / £10 / £5 or purchase a 4 Class Bundle: £56 / £36
Every Monday
New location for August!​​
Darragh Dance class is for people of all abilities. The most popular dance class in town — advance booking required. Get your joy on with movement director and choreographer Darragh O'Leary. Pop routines to sweat and laugh to!
Dates & Times:
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4th August, 6.30pm ONLY at Stade Hall
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11th August, 6pm ONLY at Stade Hall
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25th August, 6pm ONLY at Stade Hall
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1st September, 6pm ONLY at Stade Hall
From 8th September, Darragh Dance returns to its regular home at Afri-Co-Lab, with two classes every Monday: 5.30pm - 6.30pm and 7pm - 8pm.
Yoga with Janice Kate Fisher​
Gentle movement for deep rest and recovery
Join Janice Kate Fisher for gentle yoga that meets you exactly where you are. Whether you're completely new to yoga or finding your way back after some time away, these courses are designed to help you slow down and reconnect with your body.
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Each session focuses on rest, recovery, and gentle movement — you'll never be pushed beyond what feels right for you.
Classes at Afri-Co-Lab
£90 / £60 / £45
Sundays, 11am - 12.15pm
Upcoming Courses:
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7th September - 12th October
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26th October - 30th November
Sessions at Afri-Co-Lab
Free entry - donations welcome
Every other Sunday
1pm to 6pm
No booking required
Every Other Sunday
Save yourself some pennies and bring your broken textiles to our fortnightly textile repair club. Doesn't matter if you're a sewing newbie or have made dozens of suits.
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The Afri-Co-Lab team will have sewing machines ready and be on hand to offer advice, a cup of tea, and maybe a biscuit or two.
Upcoming Dates:
No sessions in August, we're taking a break. ​​​
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7th September, 1pm to 6pm
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21st September, 1pm to 6pm
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5th October, 1pm to 6pm
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19th October, 1pm to 6pm
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2nd November, 1pm to 6pm
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Summer Shop Postponed
Unfortunately, our summer pop-up shop will not be running this August.
After careful consideration, we felt that the timeline was too tight to give our local creators the platform they deserve, and we want to do justice to their talent and time, so we've decided to postpone it until summer 2026. We're sorry for any disappointment this causes, and we're grateful to everyone who expressed interest and took the time to apply.
We're using this extra time to properly plan the pop-up shop for next year, ensuring we get it right for you and our brilliant creators.
We appreciate your understanding and can't wait to welcome you back in September for our regular programming.
past events
Shop Front Gallery:
'I AM'
by Victoria Oldman
Showcasing local artists and creatives, come and see what your creative community has been dreaming up!​ Art is everywhere and nowhere more than our local Hastings & St Lens Neighbourhoods.
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We are so thrilled to share new work 'I Am' by Victoria Oldman.
'I Am' is an evolving installation that explores themes of policed identity, chosen family, and self-determination. Combining physical and digital forms, the work transforms over time, reflecting the fluid nature of identity and the pressures placed upon it by society.
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Follow the progress week by week online via instagram @victoriaoldmanartist and when invited take the opportunity to shape and contribute to this project as it builds to its conclusion.
Sew Social:
The Beach Edition
This month, your crafty Global Majority hangout is heading to the BEACH!
Join The Karen Arthur for a relaxing evening of crafting, fab music and all the positive vibes you can soak up.
Let's take full advantage of the beautiful and inspiring nature that surrounds us. We invite you to embrace the calming essence of the sea.
Join our crafting picnic, complete with, blankets, and the wonderful company of The Karen Arthur.
Remember to bring your hand-held crafting projects, and we'll take care of the juice and biscuits.
Can't wait to craft together!
@Afri-Co-Lab
*For Global Majority Folks
Free entry - donations welcome
Last Tuesday of the month
6pm to 9pm - Last entry 8.15pm
RSVP to secure your spot
Upcoming dates:
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29th April, 6pm to 9pm​
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27th May, 6pm to 9pm
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24th June, 6pm to 9pm
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29th July, 6pm to 9pm - The Beach Edition
Artists Connect: With Charlotte Stainton
Meet, mingle, and get inspired.
Artists Connect brings local talented artists together to share their journeys and showcase their work.
Each month an artist will share their work and practice, facilitated Q&As and the opportunity to chat and connect with fellow creatives, artists and those working in the creative industries. It's a golden opportunity to discover fresh talent and meet new people.
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This month we have Charlotte sharing work that draws from personal experience, queerness, and an experimental mindset, she blends digital and physical media to create unfiltered, expressive pieces. Come on down to find out more!
GET LIT! With Kyla Jardine
Off The Page - Writing To Be Heard
Led by writer and spoken word artist Kyla Jardine, this GET LIT! session offers a mix of guided writing, creative experimentation, and optional sharing.
You’ll leave with a piece you’ve written and the confidence to speak it out loud.
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No experience in poetry, performance or public speaking needed.
@Afri-Co-Lab
£35/ £25 / £8 Concessions
Thursday 3rd July 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Creative Chill With Lisa Ibbetson
Mindful Marbling
Step into a world where time slows down and distractions fade away, with the colourful, playful, meditative art of Suminagashi — the ancient Japanese practice of paper marbling.
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This immersive evening workshop invites you to release expectations and embrace the beauty of impermanence as you dance collaboratively with water and Japanese inks. Watch as your intentions flow across the surface, creating patterns that can never be repeated.
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No creative experience is needed — only curiosity and openness to possibility.​​
@Afri-Co-Lab
Free
Friday 27th June 2025
Doors 6:30pm - 9.30pm
Afri-Co-Lab Summer
Community Potluck Party!
Hey Friends!
Guess what? We're throwing open the doors to Afri-Co-Lab, and you're invited to the ultimate potluck party! Get ready for an evening filled with laughter, delicious food, and maybe some questionable dance moves - stretchy pants recommended!
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So, whether you're an Afri-Co-Lab newbie or a seasoned Lab veteran, we want you there! Bring a dish if you can, your appetite, and a friend to help you munch on those tasty treats.
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Don’t forget to RSVP, we can't wait to see you there!
Artists Connect:
With Victoria Oldman
Meet, mingle, and get inspired. Join us at the lab and discover a fresh talent from Hastings to Eastbourne.
Artist Connect brings our local talented artists together to share their journeys and showcase their work.
Each month an artist will share their work and practice, facilitated Q&As and the opportunity to chat and connect with fellow creatives, artists and those working in the creative industries. It's a golden opportunity to discover fresh talent and meet new people.
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Whether you’re an emerging artist or just curious about the art scene, come join the fun and let those creative sparks fly!​​
Creative Chill: Put Your Stamp On It! With Felix Ford
What another creative event for you to enjoy?
Of course! Creative Chill is our brand new monthly workshop for all people of all abilities to get their creativity on. With the focus on creative joy at your pace, it's the perfect way to chillax and wind down.
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Leading our first session is our very own local Hastinion Felix Ford, who will be helping you to put your stamp on it in a stamp-making workshop.
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Spaces are limited - so make sure you book to secure your space!
@Afri-Co-Lab
£28/ £18/ £8 concessions
Thursday 5th June
7pm - 9pm
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GET LIT!:
Discover The Core of Your Creative Ideas
Screenwriter and script developer Alex Kendall will will help you protect your creative ideas at our next GET LIT sesh.
Alex will be leading discussions and exercises to help you identify your core ideas, generate new ones, stretch and grow them.
This workshop is perfect for everyone—professionals, emerging writers, storytelling enthusiasts alike!
GET LIT!:
Queer Intimacies & Nature
Local poet and musician Remi Graves will be leading a workshop for queer folks and their allies.
Looking to nature for inspiration this workshop is for all writers, readers and curious folk- no experience necessary. Discover Queer writers, hear Remi share their work and perhaps play with creating a piece of your own.
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@Towner Eastbourne, BN21 4JJ
For Hastings and Rother residents
Free entry
Travel subsidy available
Tuesday 8th April, 1.30 - 2.45 pm
It's carnival time!
Join Afri-Co-Lab at the Towner Carnival Masterclass with Notting Hill Carnival legend Ray Mahabir!
In this family-friendly workshop, you'll learn about carnival costume design while enjoying a cuppa and a biscuit. The Afri-Co-Lab team will be there to help you make the most of your experience.
This Free workshop is for Hastings and Rother residents and will feature activities and a cozy reading space for the young-uns.
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Spaces are limited - so make sure you book to secure your free space!​​
Open House:
Refugee Week Takeover
In collaboration with The Refugee Buddy Project join us for a special Afri-Co-Lab Open House Takeover in honour of Refugee Week!
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We’ll be showcasing artworks and audio pieces from our Life-Drawathon events, 'The Sitter and Their Stories', featuring eight sitters who shared their experiences of starting anew in Hastings after leaving their homes.
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@Afri-Co-Lab
Free entry
Wednesday 18th June | 11am - 5pm
No booking required
We were thrilled to have Symoné as our very first artist in residence and have enjoyed opening the Lab to new energies, creative processes and ideas. If you want to know more about what Symoné has been up to, check out their blog post HERE.
Symoné is a Guinness World Record-holding cabaret/circus performer, theatre maker, and interdisciplinary artist merging circus, digital art and game design.
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@Afri-Co-Lab
Shop Front Gallery
8th - 16th March 10am -Midnight
@ Afri-Co-Lab
FREE
Join our Community
Advisory Group!
​We want to work with you to get better at what we do in our community! We know many areas of local life could be better with more creative solutions, and we believe that Afri-Co-Lab can help in making these happen.
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But we need your help!
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We need you to join our monthly Advisory Group supper club. During these gatherings, we will share a meal, discuss what is happening in our neighbourhoods, and explore how we can work together to develop creative interventions to support our fellow Teamiees!​
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@Afri-Co-Lab
£15/ £10 / 5 Concessions
Thursday 20th February
6.30 pm - 9 pm
GET LIT!
With Richard Phoenix
& Jess Mabel Jones:
DO YOUR OWN THING
Building on the legacy of our fabulous author talks with @WhatSarahReadNext, we bring to you our brand new literary offer - GET LIT!
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We are kicking off GET LIT! with local interdisciplinary artist and disability activist Jess Mabel Jones talking to ANOTHER FAB local artist, activist, musician, and writer, Richard Phoenix, about his book Do Your Own Thing.
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Together, they are going to get into disability history, share an intro to arts company Heart N Soul, reflect on their vast inclusive practices, have open conversations about DIY work practices, and, of course, dig into Richard’s book DO YOUR OWN THING.
Get LIT! Our monthly literary offer
@De La Warr Pavilion
Saturday 1st February 2025
Join us for an afternoon of rest and restoration using artistic practices, all curated to offer a space to breathe, dream and open your imagination as an act of community care for Black & Global Majority people who hold space for others- whether in their professional life; as an artist, creative, an organiser, activist, therapist, carer, facilitator etc or in their personal life.
There are no expectations, no specific outcomes, no specific experience or practices needed- just intentionally held space for you to explore. We are thrilled to announce we will be joined by artist and facilitator Birungi Kawooya. YAY!
We’ll do the planning, holding, organising all you need to do is book and we will take care of the rest.
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Please read all our FAQs and book your FREE spot.​​
@ Afri-Co-Lab
For LGBTQI+ artists, makers & creators
To Apply click below
​Artist January Take Over!
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We are handing over the Lab for 2 weeks from January 12th 2025, to an artist, maker or creator to be in residence at Afri-Co-Lab.
There is a £500 artist support fee, £200 materials budget & support from the ACL team.
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Click below to find out more and apply.
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Deadline: Sunday 1st December 12am
or
When we reach 100 applications
Artist In Residence
@Shoreditch Town Hall, London
Friday 25th October
5pm - 12:30pm
Freedom Bus: Warrior Square to Shoreditch Town Hall
Freedom Bus:
Warrior Square to Shoreditch Town Hall​
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Jump on the BLACK 2 HASTINGS Freedom Bus and get ready for a fantastic trip to London! We’re off to Shoreditch Town Hall for 'I've been looking for things that last' an evening of performances curated by acclaimed artist and choreographer SERAFINE1369.
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In this community outing with a difference,
Afri-Co-Lab will take you on a free coach trip to the historic Victorian auditorium at Shoreditch Town Hall, which will be transformed into a soil-covered performance space for a one-of-a-kind Performance Salon featuring four performances from UK and international artists.
This event is part of Home Live Art’s 25th anniversary celebrations.​
Afri-Co-Lab is a community interest company based in
St Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex, headed up by fashion designer makers Anna & Lilly.
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Combining their Ugandan cultural heritage, British seaside home and sustainability to create workshops, educational programmes, creative events and artistic interventions for seasoned and newbie creatives alike!
Hattie Spice shop front takeover. January 2021
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facilitating creative exploration.
discovering your inner maker.
Making Things Happen
identity
creativity
Never too young to create.
Mini-Makers.
Making
Uganglish Style.