Work alongside acclaimed artist Laura Trevail to blend hands-on making with interactive digital tools like micro:bits. You’ll experiment with coding, storytelling, poetry, digital sensors, and creative builds—mixing the old with the new to discover what it means to be modern and part of something ancient.
Join us for an epic digital art journey at the Central Museum & Beecroft Gallery in Southend! This brand-new project, funded by Arts Council England, brings together creativity and cutting-edge tech to explore the mysteries of time and history.
excav8
What does a museum mean to you?
What would you like to preserve for the future, and what would like to vanish forever?
Why is your local museum important, what can you find there, and what do the people working there do?
How do you feel about the objects you see here?
How do you feel about the people keeping them safe, and telling their stories?
In this project, we will explore ideas of time in relation to museums, objects, and technologies new and old. Through writing, coding, physical and digital sensing and making, you will explore your own ideas and feelings about time, 'stuff', tech and care.
We will explore history and make up stories, write poetry and code, make 'smart' devices and other kinds of smarts, use digital sensors and get hands-on. What does it mean to be modern, and what does it mean to be part of something very, very old..?
Try it out!
Join us for a free taster session: Wednesday, 26th March, 11:30am - 1pm
at:
Southend Central Museum, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6EW
Come discover your creative side and reimagine your local museum!
Spaces are limited—sign up now and make your mark on the past and the future.
excav8 Details:
Home-educated young people aged 12-16
Starts Wednesday 23rd April, 11.30am–1.00pm
Runs every Wednesday to 23rd July*, (no session 14th May & 28th May)
*Please note that we are aware of the home education session at Call of the Wild on the first Wednesday of each month. If you attend that, you are still welcome to sign up for this project—missing a few sessions won’t be a problem!
What are micro:bits?
With built-in features like an LED display, buttons, motion sensors, and Bluetooth connectivity, micro:bits are super versatile. You can code them to make games, create digital art, or even build smart devices that react to the world around you. Whether you're a complete beginner or already know a bit about coding, micro:bits are a fun and hands-on way to explore technology and get creative!
Micro:bits are tiny, programmable computers that make it easy to learn coding and create interactive projects. You can use them to control lights, sensors, and other cool gadgets, making them perfect for bringing your creative ideas to life!
Find out more about micro:bits here.
More about our project leader, artist Laura Trevail
As a contextual artist, my work is largely to listen to a place, a problem, a need or an idea, and to craft that information into an experience that is both enjoyable and useful. I choose materials, process, aesthetic and form to suit the context. I weave actions in connected technology, innovation and transport, with traditional theatre, writing and visual art practice. My training and background is in live performance, sculpture, data relationships, human behaviour, horror, connected devices and value exchange. They play together well.
For more on Laura’s work visit lhtrevail.com
excav8 is a free to access project for home educated young people from Elevator Arts in collaboration with Southend Museums.
The project is gratefully funded by National Lottery through Arts Council England.
