Mess Room Creatives: River Medway Journeys
07 Mar - 29 Mar 2026
Mess Room Creatives: River Medway Journeys is a free community art exhibition that brings together creative work by local people inspired by the River Medway and its surrounding heritage.
This UKSPF-funded creative community project began in October 2025 with a sailing trip aboard the EDITH MAY and LADY DAPHNE Thames sailing barges. Since then, participants have explored the River Medway from Rochester Bridge to The Historic Dockyard Chatham, using textiles, research and museum visits to develop their creative responses to the river’s stories, landscapes and history.
As part of the project, the group spent time at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, guided by former Dockyard Mateys, uncovering lesser-known areas of the site and learning more about its past. The exhibition brings together these personal responses and shared experiences, celebrating local heritage, creativity and community involvement.
This informal and welcoming community exhibition offers Dockyard visitors the chance to see the River Medway through local eyes and to experience how creativity can connect people with place.
Selected works from the project are also currently on display at the Guildhall Museum until 27 March 2026.
‘River Medway Journeys’ will also be exhibited during Medway Open Studios & Arts Festival 2026 at the MESS ROOM studio in Sun Pier House, Chatham on 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19 July 2026.
USEFUL INFORMATION
| Date | 7 March to 29 March 2026 (Closed on 16, 17, 23 and 24 March) |
| Time | 10am to 4pm |
| Location | The Namur Room, next to the Mess Deck Restaurant |
| Cost | The community exhibition is free to access. You do not need a ticket to The Historic Dockyard Chatham. |
| Booking | No booking required |
