Under the moon market – the glassworks

Under The Moon market happens every month, on the last Saturday, under ‘The Moon’ sign at Folkestone Glassworks.  Kate Knight is the artist behind the market, having been part of the creative scene in Folkestone since 2007. Folkelife met with Kate to find out more:

“I’m Folkestone born and bred, my parents actually met on Tontine Street, and I’ve had a studio there since 2007.  I did leave in the early 1990s when I was 17, I couldn’t wait to get away because there was nothing happening here at that time.  The ferries had stopped, the Channel Tunnel opened but didn’t bring any business into the town which had a dramatic impact on trade.  Folkestone wasn’t a place for me to stay, so I went off to London to dance.  

“I have to say, I outgrew the dancing in London fairly quickly.  I thought I wasn’t book smart – I realise now that I am, but at the time I was in a different state of mind.  But, whilst in London I did discover Art, so came home, did my foundation studies at South Kent College (in the Ashford and Dover campuses) and then went to Chelsea to do my degree.”

feeling things starting to bubble

“By the time I got back from my degree in 2007, you could feel things starting to bubble here in Folkestone.  Things were changing, and there were studios available for artists to work in.  I opened an arts supplies shop in 2010 on The Old High Street, and while there, waiting for customers, I would paint watercolours that people would buy.  So the shop turned into a gallery and I ran that until 2015.  Being in Folkestone has allowed me to dip my toes into different sorts of work and also to stow myself away in my studio and create a body of work to show for it.

“From 2015 to now has been again, a shift in working styles and opportunities to learn from different experiences.  I used to draw really fine biro detailed pictures, etchings really.  And that takes its toll on the body.  In re-visiting, I suppose, my watercolour and painting skills I’ve had to get back into practice with those styles and what I feel comfortable in creating.  But, with every exhibition, gallery, fine art fair and so on, you learn different skills in how to be a business woman, and an artist.”

under the moon

“The Under The Moon markets started after some staff movement at Creative Folkestone.  Zoe, the receptionist at The Glassworks used to organise an art market at the end of each month for local artists.  When she moved on to a different job, I talked to another artist about taking over the markets.  Susan from Fat Hen and Flo and I decided to take it on.  

“We organised a market on the deck outside Objectables on The Old High Street.  It was around Christmas time and it was absolutely freezing!  It was ridiculous operating from there, and the wonderful Sebastian Cater, Chief Operating Officer from Creative Folkestone  came to talk with us.  He was great: “What do you need?  How can we help?  We really want you to do this.” So what we needed was a decent – all year round – venue, that’s big enough to support our artists.  We opened our first market under The Moon sign in The Glassworks – thus the name Under The Moon – in May 2024 and have been going on since then.”

open art and community events

“The market happens on the last Saturday of each month, and we work with many different artists in town.  Some are regulars, and others rotate due to commitments elsewhere.  Susan decided that managing the market wasn’t for her, which I support, so now I do it.  The Market celebrated its year anniversary in May 2025 with balloons etc, and had a January Sales event which was really well supported.  If I have lots of artists then I can take up both levels in The Glassworks, so it’s a flexible space that works. 

“The Open Art 2025 team have been great to work with.  Their events are running through the Triennial this year from July to October, and so we’re working with them for the Fête of Folkestone on the 27th September 2025.  It’s a big, joyful event that celebrates art in Folkestone, with the opportunity for creators to sell at the market. 

“Our events run throughout the year, and it’s £24 for a pitch, but Christmas is another story.  We run a weekend event in December, which is £34 for one day, and £54 for both days. To apply, go to our Instagram and there’s a link to the form there.”

art is collaboration

“I think what I didn’t appreciate in doing all of this is the connections I would make, and others in doing the market.  It started small, and sometimes we have a small market, and other times we’re exploding with people!  But there’s a real community of artists building as a result of Under The Moon, and they’re doing exhibitions with each other, and supporting each others’ businesses.  It’s great to see. 

“Personally, I’ve learned a huge amount too.  And whilst it’s great that people come and buy my paintings, I know that’s not an every day purchase.  So I’ve branched out too and have created my own line of soft pastels.  These are professional quality, so artists want to buy them, but also they’re great for anyone who’s interested in using them for pleasure too.  And they’re really lovely to use.  I call them Subversive Soft Pastels and each colour has a great name.”

Under The Moon Market happens on the last Saturday of each month at The Glassworks in Folkestone.

The Moon Photo Credit – Thierry Bal