The Marketplace of Ideas

Overview

Marketplaces have long been central to community life — places of commerce, connection, and cultural exchange. Join us for a series of events to explore Kingston’s Ancient Marketplace through art, film, and interactive experiences. 

All events take place at Kingston Market House and are free to attend. 

Public programme

Market Day – Artist Makers Market
Sat 1 November, 12:00 – 16:00

Join us for a free, interactive makers market where creativity meets community.

Visitors will receive a theme inspired by Kingston’s market heritage and exchange it with an artist, who will transform it into a unique artwork in just 10–20 minutes.

You can also swap artworks with other artists on the day to create new collaborative pieces.

Traces, Manifestations & Visions – Visual Art Exhibition
Tues 28 Oct – Sat 1 Nov, 11:00 – 18:00

This contemporary visual art exhibition explores Kingston’s Ancient Marketplace — a site of gathering and exchange for over 800 years.

Artists respond to the themes of:

• TRACES – uncovering the past
• MANIFESTATIONS – reflecting on the present
• VISIONS – imagining the future

Works reflect on time, place, and identity, whether rooted in real marketplaces, communal spaces, or entirely imagined worlds.

FOCUS – FilmBox Exhibition & Public Programme
Tues 28 Oct – Sat 1 Nov, 11:00 – 18:00

A showcase of work by FilmBox, Kingston’s monthly youth film club, featuring responses to two 72-hour film challenges.

The exhibition is accompanied by a free public programme, including:

• Wed 29 Oct 18:00 – 20:00 | Horror film screening (ages 16–30) – as part of our monthly Filmbox
• Thurs 30 Oct 13:00 – 16:00 | Documentary-making workshop
• Thurs 30 Oct, 16:30 – 18:00 | FilmBox screening and artist Q&A

Details for documentary workshop - Thurs 30 Oct

Workshop – Make a documentary about markets 
13:00 – 16:00

• learn the key aspects of making a documentary
• filmmakers can go out in groups or by themselves to film the market, interview people, experiment
• share your experience, discuss editing structure

Who is the workshop for?
University / College Students & filmmakers of all ages

Market Films Screening and Q&A
16:30 – 18:00

Submissions from our film challenges will be screened, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, facilitated by KIFF