21 - 27 August 2026
Smiling Promises Carried from the Sea
Fleurs du Coeur at the Aldeburgh Beach Lookout
THE SHOW
This August, Fleurs du Coeur brings you Smiling Promises Carried from the Sea at the Aldeburgh Beach Lookout – a solo exhibition of original lino prints and poetry by Katie May, running from 21 to 27 August 2026.
Drawing on floriography, Katie’s work pairs hand-carved, hand-painted prints with her own verse to explore memory, emotion and the quiet symbolism of the living world.
For this show, the work turns towards the Suffolk coast – a landscape that shaped her – and the result is an unmissable body of work – each print a meditation on place, memory and the hidden language of the natural world.
Alongside the exhibition, a programme of creative and wellbeing events – from lino carving and family crafts to mindful photography and yoga – will be running throughout the week, with drop-in sessions available daily.
Booking are available online – details below.
THE VENUE
The Aldeburgh Beach Lookout is one of Suffolk’s most extraordinary spaces — a Grade II listed tower, built around 1830, sitting alone on the shingle of Aldeburgh beach. Once a working lookout, it has become what its custodians describe as a tiny art temple by the sea — a catalyst for creative ideas, isolated yet at the heart of cultural life on this stretch of the Suffolk coast.
It is a rare and special place to show and view work.
During the week, visitors will also have the chance to join Katie and friends for creative workshops and well being events. There will be the magical opportunity to work in one of the two tiny tower rooms, with glorious views across the sea, or to embrace the environment and create on the beach
THE SHOW - smiling promises carried from the sea
Each time Katie and her family members step on to the Aldeburgh beach, they are drawn by family tradition to hunt for a holey stone, and have amassed quite a collection over the years, each representing lucky promises sent by the sea!
Born and raised in Suffolk, and with a childhood deeply rooted in Aldeburgh — where her family made their home — this exhibition holds a particular significance for Katie. The work shown here weaves together a deep love for the Suffolk coast with whimsical storytelling; the particular character of this stretch of shoreline, the iconic details of Aldeburgh and the landscape surrounding it.
VISIT
Aldeburgh Beach Lookout
31 Crag Path, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 5BS
21 — 28 August 2026
ACTIVITIES
LINO CARVING & PRINTING WORKSHOPS
Be inspired by a truly unique setting for your lino carving experience, during which you will work in one of the two tiny, atmospheric Lookout Tower rooms, reached via either a step ladder or the iconic spiral stairs. During this extended session, Katie will be on hand to guide you through the process of developing a design, carving the lino block and pulling a first print from the block. The session is suitable for beginners and experiences printmakers alike. All materials and tuition will be provided - just bring along your creativity!
Dates: 22, 23, 24 August
Time: 2-5pm
Location: Aldeburgh Beach Lookout
Price: £50/person
Max capacity: 4 people
Equipment: Provided
CREATIVE SESSIONS (PRINTMAKING OR WATERCOLOURING)
A rare experience like no other, creating with Katie's original lino designs whilst working in one of the two tiny, atmospheric Lookout Tower rooms. Climbing to your room for your creative session, via either a step ladder or the iconic spiral stairs, you will have the choice of printmaking with a selection of Katie's pre-carved lino cuts to create your own coastal themed piece of art, or water colouring directly on to one of Katie's original prints, for a truly unique keepsake.
Dates: Sat 22nd, Sun 23rd, Mon 24th, Tues 25th, Thurs 27th August
Time: 1 hour sessions (10am, 11am, 12, 1pm)
Location: Aldeburgh Beach Lookout
Price: Printmaking £25/person. Water colouring £50/person
Max capacity: 4 people per session
Equipment: Provided
YOGA WITH ANITA ANGELINA
Join Anita, from Embrace Yoga, at the Beach Look out for five wonderful ocean-themed yoga sessions, which invite you to embrace the elemental nature of the sea. During the five sessions - Ocean Breath, Ocean Play, Ocean Wave, Ocean Light, Ocean Depth - Anita's calm teaching will guide you through gentle yoga flows, exploration of breath and grounding meditations. Join Anita for just one session, or embrace the benefit of the full series of all five sessions. A beautiful way to start or finish your day on Aldeburgh beach
Dates: Fri 21st 7:30-8:30pm, Sat 22nd 9-10am, Sun 23rd 9-10am, Mon 24th 5-6pm, Tues 25th August 5-6pm
Location: Aldeburgh Beach Lookout
Price: £25/session or £100 block booking (all 5 sessions)
PROMPTED JOURNALING SESSION including a Fleurs du Coeur Aldeburgh journal
Join us to settle in to the sights, sounds and scents of the sea for this journalling sessions, during which you will be gently guided through connecting with and recording your own reflections. A perfect session to follow on from the afternoon yoga, or join us for just the journalling session. Included in the ticket price is your own Aldeburgh Fleurs du Coeur paper journal.
Date: Mon 24th August
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Aldeburgh Beach Lookout
Price: £20 (includes Fleurs du Coeur paper journal)
Mindful photography walks with Lottie
Join Lottie from Creative Mindfulness on a relaxed walk and experience the power of creative mindfulness. Starting at the Aldeburgh Beach Lookout, we will begin with an introduction to mindful photography, capturing anything that catches our eye - unusual shells, patterns, reflections and unexpected treasures. We will then choose a colour theme for the remainder of the walk and photograph anything we can find of that colour.
Tue 25 Aug 2026
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
£25/person
MUDLARK STUDIO CREATIVE ARTS & CRAFTS
Join the vibrant Mudlark Studio for an inspiring range of Suffolk Coast inspired arts and crafts throughout the day. Activities to choose from will include collaging, painting, printing and more! Choose your activity on the day, and be guaranteed to create something beautiful to be proud of. Sessions are suitable for all ages - adults and children alike. We will also have fun glitter tattooing station as an extra special summer holiday treat!
Date: Wed 26th August
Time: 1 hour sessions (11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm)
Location: Aldeburgh Beach Lookout
Price: £15/person or £50/family
Max capacity: 8 people per session
Equipment: Provided