Trade what you're good at for the help you need. Join Folkestone's budding and professional creatives for a stroll through town as we talk skills bartering and connect over drinks.  

What to expect

A slow walk, chatting as we go. We reach The Beer Shop Pomus, where conversations can get going over a drink. If you've clicked with someone, consider how it would feel to swap space, skills, artworks or tools.

Trade illustrations for drum lessons, website tweaks for homemade sourdough or studio space in exchange for teaching someone a new language. What (AND IF) you're willing to barter is up to you.  

The walk is casual and open to all self-styled creatives. You're welcome to bring a friend along, especially if you're new to Folkestone. If you have any questions, please email us at folksdirectory@gmail.com  

Why barter

When we (we) think of bartering, we think of 1) a mutually beneficial exchange and 2) a middle finger thrust at an economy that doesn't value our skills, resources and time enough. Bartering is an age-old yet sorely needed support system, especially for people early in their career or creative practice.  

Say you ink great tattoos and want to open your own shop, but you've no clue on how to take great photos of your work. You could be waiting in line at Lidl next to the photographer who's keen to get a killer tattoo. That's where bartering comes in.  

It's for this reason that we're centring the walks around it. After all, collaboration and helping to build a stronger creative community is what the directory is all about. 

Thanks

These events are part of the 2025 edition of Open Art Folke, a summer-and-a-bit-long festival of art and creativity from this gorgeous, little town by the sea. We owe a big thank you to OAP for their efforts in making this festival happen.