An Invitation
Legendary Essex invite you and your students to participate in an exciting creative initiative called Legendary Essex, a community art project supported by Essex County Council’s Arts and Cultural Fund. This is an artist led project and aims to celebrate and preserve the rich tapestry of Essex folklore; both ancient and contemporary, through visual storytelling.
We would love to involve your school and art department in this cultural and inclusive opportunity, which encourages young people to explore local legends, myths, and their own experience of living in the area through art.
The Challenge:
- Create artwork – Size: A5 (14.85 x 21 cm)
- Material: Ideally thick paper or card
- Theme: Essex folklore—real, retold, or reimagined (ghosts, UFOs, mysterious creatures, local superstitions, etc.)
- Media: Any! Pencil, paint, collage, text… the only limit is imagination.
- Deadline: 1st September 2025
- Info on Back: Name, Age, Contact Email (and optionally a short story or title for the piece)
All entries will be exhibited in a celebratory public event at The Old Sun Inn, Saffron Walden September 11th – 20th, where prizes will be awarded in different age categories. Postcards will also become part of a digital archive—a cultural asset for future generations.
This is a brilliant enrichment opportunity for students of all abilities, providing:
- A meaningful creative outlet
- A chance to be part of a wider county-wide artistic collaboration
- A tangible connection to local history, identity, and inclusive storytelling
Attached to this email you’ll find challenge instructions and a prompt sheet to help inspire participants.
We’d be delighted if your students could take part. Teachers are also invited to contribute too. Please do get in touch if you’d like any more information.
Post finished postcards to: Legendary Essex, Folklore Art Project, Old Sun Inn, 31 Church Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JW
What is Folklore?
Folklore is made up of old stories, traditions, songs, and beliefs passed down through generations. It includes legends, fairy tales, superstitions, and local customs.
These stories often explain the world, share local history, or teach lessons. In Essex, folklore might include tales of witches, haunted places, smugglers, or creatures like the ghostly Black Shuck.
Folklore isn’t always fact, but it shows us what people believed and how they understood their world.
Download some creative prompts to help you get started with your postcard/artwork!
