Students Explore Creativity at Turner Contemporary: Art Viewing and Author Meet-Up in Margate

Date: 10th October 2025

Where: Turner Contemporary, Margate 

On Friday 10th October, a group of our Year 9 students had the exciting opportunity to visit the Turner Centre in Margate as part of the Margate Bookie Festival—a vibrant celebration of literature and creativity.

As part of the day’s events, students took part in a creative writing workshop led by Felicity Epps, author of A Grave Inheritance. The session focused on detective and mystery writing, sparking imaginations and encouraging students to explore storytelling through suspense and intrigue.

The students also had the chance to meet a second acclaimed author, Kathryn Clark, writer of Things I Learned While I Was Dead. This insightful session gave them a valuable look into the author’s personal journey and writing process, from the first idea to the final publication.

Talking to an author helps students understand that writing is a creative process that takes time, effort, and imagination. It shows them that even published writers go through planning, drafting, and revising, which can make students feel more confident in their own writing. Hearing how authors come up with ideas and build stories can spark inspiration and help students improve their skills. It also makes reading more meaningful, as they connect the stories to real people and real experiences.

In addition to the literary sessions, students were able to enjoy and reflect on some of the inspiring art exhibitions at the Turner Contemporary, rounding out a day filled with creativity, learning, and cultural enrichment.

The students visited The Sunken Boat exhibition, A Glimpse into Past Histories, a major exhibition by artist Anna Boghiguian, offering students a powerful opportunity to engage with art that explores complex historical and political themes. Through her unique use of layered storytelling, drawings, and installations, Boghiguian brings to life forgotten or overlooked parts of history, encouraging students to think critically about the past and how it shapes the present. Experiencing the exhibition firsthand helped students connect art with global events, cultures, and narratives, inspiring deeper reflection and conversation about identity, memory, and social change.

This experience not only brought literature to life but also offered a unique opportunity to hear directly from published authors about the craft of writing. Our students returned full of enthusiasm, inspired by the stories shared and the creative possibilities that lie ahead.