Wide Open is a celebration of Paignton’s people, places and spirit. Join us to dream up, make and experience great creative and cultural activities where you live.
Wide Open is a celebration of Paignton’s people, places and spirit. Join us to dream up, make and experience great creative and cultural activities where you live.
Joy Scrolling! Magic Lantern and Crankie Show
Travel back to the days before cinema, when people would gather together to watch a Magic Lantern show or enjoy a moving panorama show. Join crankie maker and singer, Wendy Dacre and Magic Lanternist, Richard Crangle for a delightful evening of early moving image wonders!
Make a Scrolly Story Workshop
Make a mini Scrolling Story in a Box to take home in this family friendly workshop. The workshop is led by crankie maker and singer, Wendy Dacre who has spent her life making props, puppets and paraphernalia and now makes wonderful scrolling stories called crankies.
"Treat Yourself': pop-up photography exhibition
Lottie Bolster is a visual artist and mental health advocate. She uses a range of media to present human stories which counter stereotypes and challenge ideas about (ill)health.
South West Film Makers present: 10th Anniversary English Riviera Film Festival
Featuring a special selection of films for the English Riviera’s Film Festival's 10th anniversary, that focuses on celebrating film producers from across the south west.
Trio of Men - Instant Song Writing Workshop
Join Trio of Men for an intergenerational “instant” song writing workshop! These joyful, instant song writing workshops are open to all, whether you see yourself as musical or not - all ages and skill levels are welcome.
Open View - Reimagining Distortion
Come and see how the Paignton Picture House has inspired a Light Installation by the Wide Open artist in residence for February Jake Cooper.
Artists Gathering
A friendly get together for anyone interested in meeting up regularly with other creatives and culture lovers in Paignton.
Meet the Artist Day
Everyone is welcome to drop into the Projection Room to talk to Jake Cooper about his work and see how he makes his incredible, geometric lights!
Reimagining Distortion
Meet the Wide Open artist in residence for February! Jake Cooper is a creator of sculptural light installations inspired by geometry, movement and perspective.
Open View - Shining Infinite Tales
The doors are open wide to come and see what Jessica Wooller has been experimenting with during her artist’s residency this January.
Memories of Paignton Picture House - drop in
Come share your stories about the Picture House with our January artist in residence, Jessica Wooller, as part of her Shining Infinite Tales project.
Shining Infinite Tales
Wide Open welcomes Jessica Wooller as our resident artist for January. Jessica is passionate about experimental film, creative editing, live projection, and cinematic visuals.
‘Shedding Light’. Open View
Come and enjoy what mixed media artist and photographer, Sarah Wise de Jong created during her December artist’s residency exploring the built and natural heritage of Paignton and the Picture House.
December - Through The Moving Image
In December we delighted to be working with the English Riviera Film Festival to bring you another, fabulous day of film and networking. Come along for the afternoon, the evening or both.
‘Shedding Light’. Sarah Wise de Jong
We welcome Sarah Wise de Jong as our artist in residence for December who will be exploring Paignton through the lens of 'our theme of ‘Light Source’ using photography and mixed media. Sarah Wise de Jong is a British-Dutch visual designer with a passion for photography and publishing.
December Artist Gathering
The final artist gathering in our current series, this one focuses on working with libraries and in library spaces. Libraries have long been spaces of inspiration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation, making them ideal partners for artists seeking to engage with their communities.
Open View - 'To the Bay …'
CANCELLED. Sadly, we’ve taken the difficult decision to cancel this event due to Storm Daragh.
The doors are open wide for you to celebrate the work of local artists inspired by the Paignton coast in the ‘To the Bay …’ exhibition, meet the artist Claire Jo Harmer as her project ‘Picturesque Torbay’ comes to a close.
Court Room Roast
Step into the chaos of Court Room Roast, the fully improvised comedy show where YOU are the jury, and the laughs are legally binding!
‘To the Bay …’
‘To the Bay ...’ includes work by guest artists and features latest works by contemporary landscape painter Claire Jo Harmer, including ‘en plein air’ and preparatory sketches alongside her paintings inspired by visits to Paignton coastal spots.
If I Were To Paint You A Picture
Spend the day exploring views 'To the Bay...' from Paignton and experimenting with various mixed media techniques with guidance from contemporary landscape artist, Claire Jo Harmer. All art supplies included, all welcome, no experience necessary.
Lantern Making Workshop & Night Light Stroll
Enjoy some festive crafts with Sarah Farrow-Jones to make some light up lanterns and join us a night light stroll
Dance-a-Story
Spark young imaginations and explore seasonal stories through dance and creative play, with Lauren Pomfret.
Open View: Never Look Straight At The Sun
During November the Wide Open artist in residence Monica-Shanta has been making an experimental short film inspired by light, including sources of light in Paignton, for a new piece of work called Never Look Straight At The Sun.
Does this look right?
Join us for an exclusive insight into the unnerving and absorbing style of Filmmaker and Animator Ashley Thorpe.
Film made on Film
An exciting opportunity to come and enjoy film, animation and network with South west film producers.
Dance-a-Story
Spark young imaginations and explore seasonal stories through dance and creative play, with Lauren Pomfret.
Artist Gathering - Arts and Heritage
Get together with local creatives and find out more about the Torbay Heritage Fund and get inspired about working across arts, community and heritage.
Devising Interactive Theatre: Object and Play
Join Theatre-Maker Nathan Charles for a ninety-minute exploration of how to devise interactive theatre through games and play.
When the Fun Stops, Try Again?
An interactive and audience-led show about gambling addiction. ‘There’s a one in fifty-one chance you’ll win £500. There’s also a one in fifty-one chance you’ll end the show immediately.
Never Look Straight At The Sun - drop in day
Today the doors of the Projection Room are open for you to come on in and join artist in residence Monica-Shanta to play with light and shadow, film and projection.
Light Source
Wide Open is delighted to welcome Monica-Shanta as our artist in residence for November.
From 13th to 29th November, Monica-Shanta will be working with local light sources in Paignton, from the natural sun, to playful refractions of glass and water and electrical light.
Composing in Light
This workshop is suitable for anyone with a playful curiosity and interest in light, sound and technology. Artists from NooN collective invite you into the processes used to create their show 'Murmur'.
Make a Zoetrope
Bring pictures to life and create your own spinning Zoetrope. Visual artist Monica-Shanta will show you how to make a zoetrope from the early days of animation.
Through the Moving Image
A celebration of filmmaking in Torbay and Devon - with screening of short films from Devon based film producers and an opportunity to network.
Spooky Splash
The brilliant people from Paignton Community Shed have been busy designing spooktacular shapes. Get ready for Spooky Season by painting your own weird and wonderful decorations to take home.
From creative events and activities, to unique spaces to test out and share your ideas, find out how you can get involved.
Wide Open is part of a major capital programme centred on Paignton Picture House made possible by the Cultural Development Fund. It will see the successful reopening of the historic grade II* listed landmark in 2025, one of the earliest purpose-built cinemas in Europe.