Quay West Studios

African Activities CIC offers the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of Black and African cultures through superb, creative artistic experiences. Our work disrupts preconceptions, creates community, drives excellence and breaks barriers. Rooted in pre-colonial traditions, our workshops include drumming, dance, storytelling, Adinkra, beadwork, and mask-making. Led by culturally grounded artists, we bring living heritage to life across schools, communities and festivals. Based in the New Forest, we are a leading Black-led organisation championing African arts across Hampshire and beyond.

From grassroots origins to international audiences, we produce high-quality dance projects, develop artistic careers and improve wellbeing for our participants. Our medium is the classical Indian dance of Odissi. Originating from the Bay of Bengal over two thousand years ago, Odissi deals with contemporary and classical themes that remain just as relevant in storytelling today. Its narratives are researched and presented to audiences as both movements and rasas, representing emotions of real life experiences such as love, devotion, anger and playfulness. Our dancers and artists deliver renowned workshops and performances that bring Odissi to thousands of new audience members every year.

Winchester Print Fair is an annual event running in May. We support predominantly local artists (within Hampshire), joined by well-known printmakers from across the UK. We are looking to raise the profile of handmade creative arts and crafts, with all printmakers producing their prints by hand in their own studios or shared spaces. We also welcome suppliers and supporters of print to encourage those just starting their journey in print. We are now a two day event, with 25 stalls in the Nutshell in Kings Walk, Winchester.