17.39°C A new exhibition at Firstsite is giving visitors the chance to see how the next generation of Colchester artists develop their work – not just the finished pieces, but the ideas and experimentation behind them.
To Be Continued, running from 18 April to 26 July, brings together artists from University Centre Colchester’s BA Fine Art course as part of an ongoing collaboration between the university and the gallery.
For the past year, the students have been working from a studio space inside Firstsite itself. Based in the Mosaic Space at the centre of the building, they have been developing their individual practices while preparing work for their final degree show.
Rather than presenting a conventional exhibition of completed work, the first phase of To Be Continued offers something slightly different. Visitors will be able to see earlier pieces, works in progress, giving a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the artists’ final submissions.
In June, the exhibition will evolve again as the students install their completed degree projects.
The show also reflects Colchester’s long-standing creative tradition. The city has produced generations of artists through its art schools and cultural institutions, and exhibitions like this help continue that legacy by introducing emerging voices and new ideas.
Among the artists taking part is Ash Barrett, whose minimalist paintings combine the aesthetics of simplicity with the principles of mindfulness, inviting viewers to slow down and reflect.
Sherry Bélizaire works across painting, drawing and sculpture, exploring themes of identity and humanity’s growing distance from the natural world. Her work draws influence from indigenous cultures and ecological thinking.
Also featured is Belle Femme Artisan, whose work evokes the drama and decadence of the Baroque era, creating images that balance beauty with a sense of intrigue and danger.
Gail Singleton Parkes works at the intersection of jewellery and sculpture, producing intricate objects that carry subtle but powerful messages.
Completing the group is Elaine Sutton, a multi-disciplinary artist working across ceramics, photography and print, whose practice explores fluid movement and the tension between strength and fragility.
University Centre Colchester offers a wide range of creative programmes designed to support developing artists, combining practical studio work with technical and theoretical teaching.
To Be Continued runs at Firstsite, Colchester, from Saturday 18th April to Sunday 26th July 2026.
