Creative Sidley Captures Thorpe Park

Are you ready to see Thorpe Park in a whole new light? An exciting exhibition is coming to the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, featuring photographs taken by young people from Creative Sidley during a day trip to the theme park. On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the exhibition, titled THORPE PARK: THROUGH THE EYES OF CREATIVE SIDLEY, will open at the De La Warr Pavilion, and it will run until Monday, 30 November 2026. The photographs were taken by a group of young people aged 11-17 from the Sidley area, who were given point-and-shoot cameras to document their day at Thorpe Park. The resulting images are not just straightforward recordings of the day, but rather individual responses to the people and places around them, revealing themes such as the tension between stillness and movement, and the awe of looking up.

The young people behind the cameras are part of Creative Sidley, a three-year youth-led project run by the De La Warr Pavilion. The project aims to empower young people to become leaders in their community, designing and running creative programmes with artists. Since April, a group of 11 young people have been meeting fortnightly to build skills and plan workshops, artist collaborations, and public events. They have also had the opportunity to work with an Artist in Residence, whom they selected and interviewed as a team. The project is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and works with various partners in Sidley, including Heart of Sidley and the Sara Lee Trust.

The photographs on display offer a unique perspective on Thorpe Park, highlighting the individual responses of the young photographers. Rather than simply recording the day, the images reveal the young people's thoughts and feelings about the people and places around them. The exhibition is a free display, and tickets are with the button beside the article. By attending the exhibition, you will have the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of these young creatives and gain insight into their perspectives and experiences.

The exhibition is a testament to the creativity and talent of the young people involved in Creative Sidley. The project's aim is to give young people a voice in their community and to provide them with the skills and confidence to pursue their creative interests. The THORPE PARK: THROUGH THE EYES OF CREATIVE SIDLEY exhibition is a great example of what can be achieved when young people are given the opportunity to express themselves and showcase their talents.

The De La Warr Pavilion's wider Youth Club programme runs alongside the project, with sessions for school years 7 to 9 and 10 to 13 from 5 November 2026, offering even more opportunities for young people to get involved in creative activities. With the exhibition running until Monday, 30 November 2026, there is plenty of time to visit and experience the unique perspective of the young people from Creative Sidley.