Strange Cargo is a Folkestone based participatory arts company. Our approach has always been to involve the local community in what we are doing and our aim is to ensure local residents are engaged and visible in the cultural offer of the place they call home. Many of our artworks are visible every day, such as the Hands at the Central Station, the Photos on the lampposts across the town, artworks on bridges and at railways stations all display Strange Cargo's stamp of creative engagement with local people. The Charivari Day carnival is a local tradition and has involved over 20,000 people since it began; it is now in its 29th year and is unique in the region for its ability to bring throusands of people together to celebate as a commuity.
Strange Cargo is also known for many more projects, and people will know us for Cheriton Light Festival, The Resident Platform creating community bronze sculptures for Folkestone West station, Stange Cargo Gallery, our Everywhere Means Something to Someone peoples guidebooks, and much more. 2025 is our 30th anniversary and we are very much looking forward to celebrating this milestone with the thousands of people that have been such an integral part of what we have done across 3 decades.