Upcycled and Remixed: A Tapestry of Found Sounds & Reimagined Textiles
Upcycled and Remixed is a community art project celebrating the Essex town of Pitsea, bringing residents together to create an interactive tapestry from found materials and local sound recordings. Commissioned by Creative Basildon, everyday waste will be transformed through textile making and e-textiles into a playable artwork that celebrates place, sustainability, and community creativity.
Upcycled and Remixed: weaving sound, place and community in Pitsea
Upcycled and Remixed is a new community arts project inviting local residents to explore these questions by creating an interactive tapestry made from found materials and local sound recordings. Based in the historic Pitsea market, the artwork will explore the sounds of the market by embedding them in the materials we throw away every day.
Led by CLIP in collaboration with textile artist Rachel Jefferson, the project brings together sound, textiles and technology to celebrate local pride, sustainability and creative reuse. From January to April 2026, Pitsea residents of all ages will help transform discarded materials, such as; cables, packaging, paper and fabric offcuts, into a tactile artwork that can be touched, played and explored.
How to get involved – FREE Halfterm Workshops
This coming February halfterm we’re running two free drop-in workshops at Pitsea Market on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February. These sessions are open to everyone and designed to be relaxed, welcoming and accessible, whether you’d like to stay for a few minutes or spend longer making something together.
Market Music Making – Friday 20th February, 9am – 3.30pm
On Friday 20 February, the focus is found sound and music making. Together we will be making music with sounds of Pitsea Market, from the fizzing of frying onions to the shouts of stall holders, we’ll turn these everyday sounds into music.
No musical experience is needed, all equipment provided.
Upcycled Textiles Making – Saturday 21st February, 9am – 3.30pm
On Saturday 21 February, the project shifts to upcycled textile making, led by textile artist Rachel Jefferson. Get hands on with with reclaimed and donated materials to design and sew your own textile panel.
Techniques are beginner-friendly and social, making it easy to join in regardless of confidence or experience. Each panel created on the day will become part of a larger community tapestry inspired by the market and the people who use it.
Final artwork
Both workshops contribute directly to the final interactive artwork, which will continue to be developed at workshops in the coming weeks. The artwork will be shaped by the hands that create it, forming a collective tapestry that reflects the sounds, textures and character of Pitsea Market. All materials and tools are provided, and participants are welcome to come alone or with friends, family or neighbours.
Everyone who contributes is warmly invited to return for the public unveiling on Saturday 11 April, when the finished interactive tapestry will be revealed at Pitsea Market and opened up for the wider community to see, hear and play.
Upcycled and Remixed has been commissioned by Creative Basildon and is supported through funding from Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places Programme.
