Radiating Connections: An Evening with Emily McLennan
Wednesday 14th October 2026
6.00 – 8.00 pm
Towner Eastbourne
College Rd
Eastbourne BN21 4JJ
Radiating Connections: An Evening with Emily McLennan
Wednesday 14th October 2026
6.00 – 8.00 pm
Towner Eastbourne
Devonshire Park, College Rd
Eastbourne BN21 4JJ
Emily McLennan is a visual artist based in Stirlingshire whose practice is rooted in ecological observation and connection to place. A former BMN member, Emily returns to share a journey, one that has taken her from a woodland residency in Scotland to studios and landscapes across England.
Emily will present her Arts Council England funded R&D project Radiating Connections, exploring how ideas of custodianship, natural materials and community connection can travel across regions and take root in new places. She will share her experience as a beginner experimenting with natural ink-making, discovering traditional and contemporary approaches to plant-based pigments and what it means to make with the materials of a landscape.
The second part of the evening will invite you to take part in a short, facilitated discussion inspired by Emily's workshop Lines of Connection, exploring how our journeys through landscape shape who we are and how we connect with others. A gentle, reflective activity designed to spark conversation and creativity.
If you are planning on attending one of our events and have any access needs, please let us know in advance.
Blue Monkey Network is run by artists for artists, in partnership with Towner Eastbourne, and is entirely funded by membership subscriptions and donations. Many thanks to all our supporters.
COMING UP
Rescheduled Events:
Masterclass on Instagram for artists
2 workshop dates in October – NOW FULL
Ditzy Media,
Ste 4, 49 Gildredge Rd,
Eastbourne BN21 4RY
Following the two postponements of our previously planned workshop and the waiting list that we have, we now plan to run 2 Instagram Workshop sessions in October. People who have previously booked this event, as well as those on the waiting list, will be contacted about the new October dates offered.
A masterclass on Instagram for artists will be run by Mina O’Brien from Ditzy Media.
The workshop will include using Instagram, creating reels, and how to use Canva to support this.Instagram has changed a bit since we offered these workshops previously, so these sessions will cover more ground. They will be run in Eastbourne, near the station and will be subsidised by BMN. There will be a fee of £20 per person for members (£45 for non-members), payable in advance to secure your space.
Rescheduled Event:
Visit to Cement studios and workshops in Newhaven
Saturday 7th November 2026
11.00 – 13.00 pm
Cement, Unit 10, Quarry Road Industrial Estate, Newhaven BN9 9EJ
This visit to Cement in Newhaven, cancelled due to hot weather, has now been rescheduled to November.
Cement is a new creative space based in Newhaven, East Sussex, offering dynamic art education taught in working artists’ studios for people at all stages of their creative journey. Cement provides a platform for both beginners and established artists to develop their practice through workshop courses, open access and mentoring led by experienced practitioners and educators.
Travel arrangements to the venue will be in the newsletter nearer the time
Creative Social
Wednesday 9th December 2026
6.00 – 8.00 pm
Ground floor (studio 1), Towner Gallery
An informal festive celebration of a year of creativity and connecting. Full details will be released in early November but please Save the Date!
We will be encouraging you to meet a couple of new people that you haven't spoken to before/much and increase your network as well as finishing off your creative year at a social event instead of alone in the studio. There will be some festive fare (drinks & nibbles) to oil the works.
This event is free to Network members and £5 for visitors.
In Conversation with the artists Paul Bartholomew and Judith Alder at their dual exhibitions Lines of Enquiry
Saturday 16 January 2027
11.00 am – 1.00 pm
BN9 Studio and The Atrium, Marine Workshops, Railway Approach, Newhaven, BN9 0ER
Paul Bartholomew and Judith Alder present dual exhibitions at BN9 Studio and The Atrium, united under the title Lines of Enquiry. Their work may initially seem unconnected: Bartholomew explores colour and geometry, while Alder works mainly in monochrome with an organic aesthetic. However, both practices are rooted in academic and philosophical enquiry, first expressed through drawing.
The exhibition is open Jan 8th – 24th 2027
Wed – Sun, 10.00am – 4.00pm (Sun close 3.00 pm)
Private View Fri 8 Jan, 5.00pm – 8.00 pm
FREE ENTRY