A contemporary Exhibition Space showcasing new and experimental work from established and emerging artists. SVAF also actively promotes and engages with artists’ collaboration projects and formulate interactive community, school and University projects in the Gallery.
Rosalind Barker MA and Susan Evans MFA with the members of the Sevenoaks Visual Arts Forum, run The KCC Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Art Gallery as an artist led space.The forum is based at the Gallery.
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UNVEILED
Marilyn Kyle
20 May – 6 June 2026
Marilyn Kyle is delighted to present a retrospective exhibition of her work. UNVEILED will include installations, sculptures and prints. Marilyn works in a range of media and uses different processes, depending on the demands of each project.
You can meet Marilyn at her PV on Saturday 30 May 12 – 2:30.
Marilyn will be in conversation on Wednesday 3 June 6:30 – 7:30. From 6 pm join us for refreshments and to view the exhibition before her talk. The Gallery closes promptly at 8pm.
Marilyn studied photography, film and video. Studying for a degree as an Art & Design teacher Marilyn gradually started to develop her work as a painter. Whilst teaching she had the opportunity to work with a master printmaker, and, thanks to that, extended her 2D work into printmaking, predominantly etching. An M.Ed in Art Education (Exeter) followed a few years later: a magical course spent working with other creatives: writers, musicians, dancers etc. Through this and around this time her approach came into sharper focus, it is the way which she has continued to work, whatever the medium.
Leading a large faculty of Art & Design, in the 1990s/2000’s, Marilyn studied for an M.A. in Fine Art (Wimbledon). At Wimbledon her tutor encouraged her to focus on print rather than paint which would allow the freedom to move around different subject areas. Taking up this freedom, Marilyn worked through photography, video, print and installation.
Her work is issues lead: a thought or idea emerging, then mulled over, for some time, before moving into materials and other forms of research. The emerging idea usually stems from personal experience or from an awareness of others’ experiences. Sometimes an object might trigger a piece of work. Although work might stem from a particular issue, Marilyn is keen that others should enjoy the visual and material aspects of a piece and bring their own experiences to it.
Marilyn has exhibited her work in the UK and abroad for over 30 years. Her work is held in private collections in the UK, Europe and the USA.
Free Print workshop Age 14 – Adults
Marilyn will run a Print workshop Thursday 28 May 1pm – 3pm (age 14 to adults) assisted by her partner, painter and printmaker Bill Hall, Spaces are limited to 10 so please sign up early by contacting marilynkyle@hotmail.com. Remember to dress for mess if you attend.
The Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Mezzanine Exhibition Space
Martin Garwood
The Wind Rippers 6 – 16 May Extended still showing.
Martin Garwood is a photographer. He loves Swifts. A few years ago he self-published “The Wind Rippers”, a collection of his photographs and a range of written extracts from Gilbert White to Tim Dee exploring our relationship to these wonderful birds. Swifts start arriving in this country in early May having spent our winter in Southern Africa, constantly on the wing, eating, sleeping and mating in the air. This short exhibition in the Mezzanine space is a celebration of their return in words and images.
Swifts are now “red-listed” by the British Trust for Ornithology, as each year the number breeding here is declining steeply. For many of us the sight and sound of swifts charging around our rooftops is one of the principal delights of high Summer but such encounters are sadly getting rarer. The work on show is intended to illustrate Martin’s ongoing commitment to these enigmatic birds and to their important place in our culture and our biodiversity.
His book “The Wind Rippers – Encounters with Swifts” can be ordered directly from Martin at £12.50 including postage. Please contact him at tonswifts@btinternet.com. Find out more about Swifts and the work of the charity that Martin and friends have set up at www.highwealdswifts.co.uk.
The Mezzanine will then be closed on May 18 for refurbishment as the sink, fridge and cupboard area is removed and a display wall is created.
The SVAF Community Art Project 2026 Horsing Around Sevenoaks
Why Horses and ponies?
It will weave together that 2026 is the Year of the Horse. The Kent County Council logo is a white horse. The relaunch of Explore your Kaleidoscope, a joyous fold out interactive leaflet aimed at guiding visitors of all ages around the 4 different levels of the building in an art treasure hunt. Including find the mischievous Kaleidoscope pony who is covered in your children’s drawings and the ‘hidden’ artworks commissioned by KCC at the 2007 opening of the new Kaleidoscope Library, Gallery and Museum. 2027 will be the 20th anniversary.
SVAF Artist led Drop in Free Family Art Workshops
The Horsing Around Sevenoaks herd needs to grow. Join in our Pony and Horse themed free artist led workshops
Thank you to all the families who horsed around at the April, Easter holiday and May artist led workshops.
Saturday 6 June Painting Ponies with Susanne Beard
All Family workshops are 10:30 – 12:30
Drop in or stay Children must be accompanied
ALL materials provided
Dress for mess
Thank you to all the SVAF artist for their Pony themed workshops on Saturdays and across the Easter break. Susanne Beard – horse painting, Christine Highlane– collage, Sarah Cliff- drawing and collage, Sue Evans- for her multiple pony surprise mornings, Wendy Steryn and Cliona Murphy for our May Day workshop Saturday May 2nd.
JOIN IN Horsing Around Sevenoaks
Your pony or horse can be any shape or type of horse, not just the head. It can be multiples of small horses.
We can provide paper and templates, or you do your own thing.
Email Ros and Sue at sevenoakskaleidoscope@gmail.com if you have a group aged 2 – 92 who would like to be involved.
We will be inviting everyone to join in and make your own pony or horse at home. Materials and instructions will be an available on the Mezzanine at the beginning of June.
Thank you to Susanne Beard who ran the first off site workshop for Horsing Around Sevenoaks working with Forget-me-Not-Café. Thank you to other community contributors who have also worked with Susanne The Embroidery Club Otford, Sevenoaks Adult Social Services, Sevenoaks Town Council as part of their Vine Theatre Event, Sevenoaks Adult social services.
Sevenoaks Library Knit and Natter group are already Horsing Around Sevenoaks
If you run a group of any age 2 – 92 and would like to join in the fun. Email us: sevenoakskaleidoscope@gmail.com
NOT JUST 7 OAKS the KALEIDOSCOPE FOREST of the IMAGINATION
The SVAF Community Art Project 2025
The Forrest is slowly being cleared this May, it has been a joyous project enjoyed by hundreds of visitors.
Thank you for all your arty Trees in every sort of media for our Forest of the Imagination on the Mezzanine outside the Gallery.
Thank you to The Otford Embroidery Group, The Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Knit and Natter Group, EPIC St Barts Youth Club, Sevenoaks Adult Social Services, Otford Library children’s craft morning and Forget-me-Not-Cafe for many stunning fun trees.
Every Saturday in June and July the drop-in workshops at Kaleidoscope were enthusiastically attended by many families. The inventiveness and pleasure expressed in making by all the family members has made this a joyful project. We owe a big thank you to lead artists Sarah Cliff, Susanne Beard, Sue Evans, Amanda Hopkins and Irene Vaughan who volunteered to run them.
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