Icons of Margate & Cliftonville is a community arts project created by artist Carson Parkin-Fairley and funded by Arts Council England.

Carson worked alongside community partners; ARK Cliftonville Cultural Centre, East Kent MENCAP, Young Kent Carers, Arts Education Exchange and Margate Arts Club to find participants for the project. There was also an open workshop call out which anyone in Margate & Cliftonville could apply for.

45 artworks in total were made in a series of community workshops, created and led by Carson, with each participant creating an icon of themselves. An ode to everything they love.

Further works were created by Carson celebrating four ‘local icons’, which were selected by a committee from a list of public nominations, celebrating their contributions to the community.

An act of self appreciation, the Icons celebrate everything that makes us unique, with each symbol and reference pertaining to a story from the subject’s life.

“At a time when everyone is so concerned with what other people are doing, and viewing other people’s lives on social media, it is important to hone in, magnify and celebrate the extraordinary lives we have all led.
The Icons Project seeks to elevate the stories of the people that make a place, and the intricacies of every one of their lives.
I hope after viewing it you can agree, we are all icons.” Carson Parkin-Fairley

Icons of Margate & Cliftonville is open from 20th July til 6th September 2025.
It hangs in Dreamland’s hallways and is open in alignment with the park’s opening times.

MURAL BY THE SEA

MURAL-BY-THE-SEA is a rolling annual programme commissioning various artists for a large scale billboard mural outside Hall By The Sea, in collaboration with StudioTAC, a Margate based creative company who built and designed the steel frame encasing the mural.

This year, in partnership with People Dem Collective, Dreamland is proud to host a striking mural entitled Black British Icons.

An epic collaboration led by @victoriabarrowwilliams with the formidable artist @yesoliviatwist and creative direction being led by @_studiocamo_

@ncutigatwa
#ClaudiaJones
@littlesimz
#QueenCharlotte
@smallaxesseries (Sir Steve McQueen)
@munroebergdorf
@adjaye_visual_sketch (Sir David Adjaye OBE)
#OlaudahEquiano
@ladyphyll
#marysecole
@sterling7

I SPIN ME (ROUND, ROUND, BABY RIGHT ROUND)

Studio TAC, 2017
Mirrored stainless steel, paint, wood

No one knows who spun the first top, but every person since has had the simple joy of playing with one. Today, the spinning top is one of the oldest recognisable toys found on archaeological sites all over the world, and irrespective of culture. In Medieval times, it was common to have a large spinning top in the town square which villagers could spin for exercise and to keep warm!

The simplest of games in so many ways, studioTAC revive the simplicity of play through movement as one of the first things you see in the park. The mirrored surface reflects not only your new surroundings, but your own image, spinning round you as you participate… and you begin to realise you’re not in Kansas anymore.

THERE IS A LIGHT

Rag & Bone Man, 2017
Cast Iron, Steel, Brass, Scrap

Taking inspiration from the decorative street lamps that once illuminated the heritage amusement park, The Rag and Bone Man celebrates the history of the Metropolitan Vickers motor that drove the original Scenic Railway and reworks its shape and components into a new Tivoli inspired street light.

The light both illuminates Dreamland’s new green spaces and operates as a sign post directing visitors to both key areas of the park and inviting them to destinations that can be reached by travelling with imagination…

What’s Your Flavour ?

Shaun Prickimage is a neurodiverse, Margate based light artist creating 2D, 3D and mixed reality digital graphics for immersive installations.

What’s Your Flavour was inspired by the beloved seafront, where visitors and residents alike seek to pass the time swimming, sunbathing and kicking back with an ice cream on its sandy beaches.

Pop into any ice cream shop in Margate on a sunny day and you’ll be met with excited faces exclaiming in fevered voices their favourite flavour to be scooped and served.

The perfect backdrop for your next Dreamland selfie, you’ll find this installation at the end of the concourse.  Remember to let us know your favourite flavour in your pics and add #dreamlandmargate, so we can share.

Check out Shaun’s work on his Instagram account @PRICKIMAGE