Stories of the Bay: A Gathering

A participatory evening exploring memory, place and protection along the Sussex coast.

A collective artwork, a shared story, a living map. A collective act of coastal remembering and care. 

Event details

On the evening of Friday 12 June, join Sussex Bay and artist Laura Callaghan for a relaxed participatory gathering during her 'What the Water Gave Us' exhibition at the Fishing Quarter Gallery on Brighton Seafront.

Together, we will create a large-scale evolving artwork and collective map of Sussex Bay shaped by memories, stories, place names, observations and acts of care connected to the coast.

Across the evening, participants are invited to contribute through conversation, writing, drawing, mapping and the sharing of objects or artefacts connected to the sea.

Date: Friday 12th June 2026

Time: Doors from 5.15pm. Event 5.30pm – 7.30pm. 

Venue: Fishing Quarter Gallery, Brighton Seafront, 201 Kings Rd Arches, Brighton, BN1 1NB

Capacity: Free tickets, limited tickets available

What to bring

Participants are warmly invited to bring:

• a small object or artefact connected to the coast

• a memory or story

• a local place name or phrase

• a photograph, drawing or written fragment

• or simply themselves

Objects do not need to be precious or valuable. Contributions can be temporary or left with the artwork, and will be treated with care.