BIG WOMEN

11 February - 18 June 2023

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Join us for a BIG exhibition celebrating the creative achievements of women in art, curated by one of Britain’s most significant contemporary artists – Sarah Lucas.

Andrew Graham-Dixon in conversation with Mark Bills

1 June 2023

7:00 pm

Art critic and presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon and Mark Bills, Director of Gainsborough’s House will delve into the history of art and creativity in East Anglia.

Holiday Fun: May Half Term 2023 – Canteen

30 May - 2 June 2023

Multiple times available

Enjoy freshly made hot meals for all the family at Firstsite’s canteen in Colchester town centre.

Drag Queen Life Drawing with Sirena Hart

25 February - 22 July 2023

Multiple times available

A one-of-a-kind life drawing class, where your tutor and model will offer multiple poses in fantastical settings.

@background_bob and his amazing friends…back again!

1 April - 8 October 2023

Essex artist @background_bob returns to Firstsite for his third energetic and uplifting exhibition. ‘Back again!’ features over 270 collaborative artworks created by @background_bob with leading international street and graffiti artists including Mr Doodle, Shepard Fairey and Wrdsmith, other big…

Mehdi Jalalaghdamian: Art In Exile

3 September 2022 - 3 September 2023

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Master rug-maker, Mehdi Jalalghdamian, draws attention to the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide through the traditional craft of Persian rug making

Boozy Brushes

17 March - 28 July 2023

Multiple times available

Join Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes – our New Multi-Art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza!

Drumming Workshop

8 February - 19 July 2023

Multiple times available

Learn the basics of African Drumming with drumming tutor Hassan who is experienced in teaching people of all levels.

Colchester Record Fair

8 July 2023 - 5 November 2022

Multiple times available

Colchester’s Record Fair returns to Firstsite, a treat for both enthusiasts and casual collectors alike. Come browse through stall holders’ collections of vinyl and CDs from a vast range of genres. Grab yourself a bargain – or perhaps something a little rarer.  

Exhibition On Screen: Vermeer

18 April - 9 June 2023

Multiple times available

In the spring of 2023, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will open its doors to the largest Vermeer exhibition in history.

YAK | Young Art Kommunity

8 June 2023 - 15 December 2022

Multiple times available

Young Art Kommunity (YAK) is Firstsite’s young-people peer led group which organises events and activities within the gallery and in the wider community.

Sketch, Etch and Scones with Karen Densham

3 June - 2 September 2023

Multiple times available

An accessible and fun approach to printmaking where we will be exploring low tech printing methods like dry point etching, Lino cutting, mono printing, impression printing and more.

Dungeons And Dragons: Honour Among Thieves

7 May - 1 June 2023

Multiple times available

A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry.

National Theatre Live: Fleabag

15 - 25 June 2023

Multiple times available

Written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) and directed by Vicky Jones, Fleabag is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her life.

Polite Society

26 - 31 May 2023

Multiple times available

Polite Society’ follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan who believes she must save her older sister Lena from her impending marriage.

Festival of Rice and Spice

24 June 2023

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Celebrate Colchester’s diverse community through food, music and performances at the town’s annual festival of Rice and Spice – including children’s activities, workshops and a huge variety of food stalls.

S&B Colchester

8 June - 14 December 2023

Multiple times available

S&B Colchester is back for 2023 and ready to introduce you to a whole load of crafts!   Join your hosts, local artists Amy & Meg to try out a different textile based technique each month in these fun,…

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Relaxed)

27 May - 11 June 2023

Multiple times available

A plumber named Mario travels through an underground labyrinth with his brother, Luigi, trying to save a captured princess.

Holiday Fun: May Half Term 2023 – Street Dance

30 May 2023

10:45 am

Children can show off their best moves over the May half term school holiday with Street Dance at Firstsite Holiday Fun in Colchester!

On Our Doorstep + Q&A

8 June 2023

7:30 pm

When the Calais ‘Jungle’ refugee camp was ignored & condemned by authorities, ordinary people stepped in to support the refugees stranded there.

Kate Boxer, Maggi Hambling and Sarah Lucas in conversation

17 June 2023

7:00 pm

Artists Kate Boxer, Sarah Lucas and Maggi Hambling join writer and art critic Louisa Buck to discuss their extraordinary careers, their inspiration and motivations and the making of the BIG WOMEN exhibition.

S&B Sunday Sessions

2 July - 3 September 2023

Multiple times available

Join the S&B ladies for a fun and relaxed Sunday as we host 2 different seasonal themed creative sessions for people aged 14+ of all abilities.