HERRING

Herring kicks off at Hastings Contemporary on Thursday 5 November, and it's a five-week run rather than a one-off. It's part of the gallery's After School Art Club, aimed at 8 to 12-year-olds, so it's designed for kids to drop into after school. The sessions run every Thursday afternoon from 5 November through to 3 December, with the final one on 3 December, all from 4pm to 5pm.

Over the five weeks, the children learn to use a microscope, examine coastal soil samples, and make artwork from what they find. The whole thing is led by Soil Craft, a community interest company that works to raise awareness of soil health and the soil ecosystem. They run educational workshops for adults and children, speak to community groups, and make award-winning bio-alive compost from local cooked food waste. The team draws on backgrounds in fine art, photography, garden design, microbiology and science education, so the sessions bring together art and science in a way that's easy for kids to get stuck into.

It fits right in with where it's being held. Hastings Contemporary is the gallery on the shingle beach dedicated to ocean futures and sustainability, and Herring is one of the community projects they run alongside their exhibitions. They also run Pearls of the Sea, a flagship schools programme that gives local children the chance to engage with art.

Practical bits: it's £65 for the five weeks. Because of studio capacity, parents and carers can't stay during the sessions, though the nearby coquina is open until 5pm if you're waiting nearby. The sessions are on Thursday 5, 12, 19 and 26 November and 3 December, 4pm to 5pm, at Hastings Contemporary, Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings, TN34 3DW.