University Centre Colchester (UCC) – Degree Show
Sat 8 Mar – Sun 8 Jun 2025
Colchester is known for its vibrant cultural history, from art societies and schools to being the launchpad for bands like Blur. This exhibition showcases a dynamic range of multimedia works by 2nd and 3rd-year students from the University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute. It celebrates the creativity sparked by art education, featuring both existing student pieces and works inspired by Firstsite and its current themes.
Elsa James: It Should Not Be Forgotten
Sat 29 Mar – Sun 6 Jul 2025
Renowned Essex artist Elsa James (b.1968) will present a powerful exhibition exploring her Black British heritage. Through new works in photography, print, neon, sound, and mixed media, she delves into themes of enslavement, psychological impact, and the fragmentation of identity, challenging Britain’s colonial past.
Acorn Village: 50 Years
Sat 26 Apr – Sun 7 Sep 2025
Following a series of celebrated exhibitions about The East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing at Benton End, this show shines a light on a different kind of creative community: Acorn Village in Manningtree. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Acorn Village, where adults with learning disabilities have found a supportive and inspiring environment to thrive.
In partnership with Acorn Village facilitators, the exhibition brings together over 50 pieces created by artists and residents in workshops at the Creative Centre over the last 20 years.
The works include stunning woven textiles, vibrant paintings, quirky street scene drawings, sculptures, and more, all inspired by Essex landscapes, popular culture, and the unique perspectives of this community.
Voyager 2000: Worldbuilding & Wonder?
Sat 19 Jul – Sun 2 Nov 2025
The BT Voyager 2000, trialled in Colchester in 1995, was an early interactive TV system that contributed to the growth of global communication networks. Art too has always played a key role in connecting people, from ancient cave paintings to today’s video games.
Essex has been at the heart of ground-breaking tech, from William Gilbert coining the term “electricus” in 1600 to Marconi’s wireless radio and Charles K. Kao’s fibre optics. Colchester also birthed the first online multiplayer game in the 1970s.
Inspired by these innovations, Voyager 2000: Worldbuilding & Wonder? will explore how artists and communities have used technology to connect and imagine, featuring interactive artworks, historic objects, and tech alongside contemporary pieces.
Sue Webster
Sat 15 Nov – Sun 1 Mar 2026
We’ll close the year with Sue Webster’s first UK institutional exhibition as a solo artist, following her celebrated collaborative career with Tim Noble. This landmark show centres around The Crime Scene, an installation Sue has been developing since 2019. The work acts as an exorcism, intertwining personal objects and images to explore what it means to be an artist.
This exhibition marks a bold new chapter in her career, offering a glimpse into her artistic evolution and how she transforms personal experiences into thought-provoking art.
Exciting exhibitions are on the horizon this year, and these are just a few of the highlights! We’ll be sharing more updates in the months ahead, so don’t miss out. Sign up for our mailing list and choose ‘Exhibitions’ to be the first to hear about all the upcoming shows.
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Images:
- Photography by Aura Films 2. Elsa James, Living in the Wake of the Lust for Sugar, film still, London Sugar and Slavery Gallery, Museum of London Docklands, 2023 3. Acorn Artists, tapestry, undated. 4. Voyager 2000 Wallpaper, 2024, Firstsite 5. Sue Webster in her London Studio, Portrait by Frances Ware
