When a group of local women learned that Margate’s striking synagogue had been put up for sale at auction back in 2019, they set up a Crowdfunder campaign to buy and save it. Each of Jewish heritage, these women saw the potential to transform it into a secular cultural and creative resource for their local community. Although the fund-raising target wasn’t reached, they were nevertheless successful in attracting someone who bought the building for the very purpose they’d hoped to obtain it for. Jan Ryan, a creative producer and co-founder of the Power of Women festival had also been campaigning to save the space from developers, and is now leading a passionate team working to establish the synagogue as an inclusive and accessible hub. Having collaborated with organisations around the world, including the Barbican in London, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC and the Market Theatre in Johannesburg, she immediately saw the building’s potential as a community space, wedding and music venue. Renamed ARK and launching as a wedding venue in 2023 the space offers a wonderful location for meaningful celebrations, a mere five-minute walk from the beach. It boasts a stunning, double-height ceiling with ample original, rustic features and a split-level interior with cosy festoon lighting. Best of all, weddings held here will help to fund and support ARK’s creative community programme and ongoing refurbishment, so saying “I do” will be made all the sweeter in the knowledge you’re giving something back. To show you just what you can do with this characterful venue Camille Roman at Posy Patou set out to create this gorgeous styled shoot in line with its ethos. “Working with ARK’s volunteers and local wedding suppliers, the idea was to use sustainable materials. The moon-keeper theme we ran with is a reference to the celestial features on the windows and to Margate’s expansive skies,” Camille shares. Inspiring sustainable touches can be found throughout, such as the bridal gown, which was created using repurposed lace, and the earrings made from recycled plastic. Beautiful moon-themed and ethically-printed stationery sits alongside repurposed and illustrated oyster shells, while the printed ribbon tied around the bouquet is reusable making it a wonderful memento of the day. Finally, the beautiful blooms themselves represent responsibly-foraged floristry created by community-run Windmill Gardens in Margate. You can see ARK’s first exhibition, Cliftonville Voices, at the Margate Museum this spring. LOCAL SHOOT 65
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