We are delighted to invite you to a special opening event for ‘To Dream Effectively’.

The opening will take place at Focal Point Gallery, Big Screen Southend and Southend High Street on Saturday 12 September, from 12.00pm to 7.00pm.

To ensure your safety and well-being, we will be limiting visitors in the gallery space, which is why you are invited to select a timed 45 minute slot for your visit, please book here. This event is free and all are welcome.

This exhibition brings together international artists whose work offers inventive, and at times cautionary reflections on a future that is conditional on how we dream it to be. It takes inspiration from the ground-breaking novels of science-fiction writer Ursula Le. Guin, in particular The Lathe of Heaven, 1971. Exhibiting artists include Larry Achiampong, Sophia Al-Maria, A.S.T. (Alliance of the Southern Triangle), Diann Bauer, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, Caspar Heinemann, Leyla Pillai, Tabita Rezaire, Himali Singh Soin, Emilija Škarnulytė, Rosie Grace Ward.

For more information on the exhibition, which runs until January, please see here.

Due to social distancing we will not be providing refreshments at the opening. However, there are a number of great near-by pubs in Southend, such as The Railway Hotel and Craftwerk. Our nearest fish and chip shop is The Kingfisher on Queens Road.

What else to expect from your visit

In order to ensure the health and wellbeing of our visitors, supporters and gallery team, we’ve put the following safety measures in place:

• You will be asked to sanitise your hands on entry to the gallery with the sanitiser provided.
• Please bring with you and wear a face covering at all times (unless exempt due to a health condition).
• Please arrive on time for your entry slot, there may be some waiting time.
• Please maintain social distancing at all times whilst you’re visiting the gallery.
• There are toilets available in the building are open, with an increased cleaning regime in place.