CKa 2026 PRESS RELEASES
Building on the success of 2025, 2026 promises even more opportunities to showcase local artists, strengthen collaborations, and continue putting Whitstable firmly on the cultural map.
Shepherd Neame Press Release for 2026 sponsorship
insideKent Press Release for 2026
CKA 2025 Press
CKA 2025’s exhibition The Love That Lasts Longest reached an audience of over 500,000 people across print, digital, and social media, helping to shine a spotlight on Whitstable’s thriving contemporary art scene. The exhibition celebrated more than 20 Kent-based artists and attracted widespread attention from local and regional media including Cene Magazine, Inside Kent, Visit Canterbury, and Shepherd Neame.
The response from visitors, journalists, and partners reinforced Whitstable’s growing reputation as a cultural destination and highlighted the incredible creative talent emerging from across Kent.
Please click on the icons below and on the following links where we featured:
QUOTE FROM SHRINGI KUMARI CKA2025 SHEPHERD NEAME KENT ARTIST AWARD WINNER:
“Winning the Contemporary Kent Artists Award last year was a deeply moving moment for me - a reminder that art rooted in self can create meaningful connections across different experiences and perspectives.”
Quote from Liz Atkin CKA2025 runner up and People’s Choice Award Winner:
“I was delighted to be one of the exhibition artists in the inaugural exhibition of Contemporary Kent Artists, which was beautifully installed by Alice Herrick. It gave me the chance to push my practice; I presented a large scale work from a new series of charcoal drawings exploring grief and love. Many wonderful opportunities that came from the exhibition: for one of the evening events I was ‘in conversation’ with Kim O’Neil and Liz May; I was commissioned to create a large drawing after the exhibition; and I was over the moon to win both the People’s Choice vote and the Judges favourite in the awards. One of the prizes was a professional practice course with Contemporary Art Academy, providing me with mentoring and critical support with an amazing diverse group of fantastic artist peers. That has supported me to deepen my studio practice, make the work I want to make and to challenge myself. Thank you CKA for the amazing opportunities!”
