The East of England – where the North Sea reaches out to grab the land - is the bulge in England’s side. It’s the bit to the right that is just far enough from London to enable it to create its own identity, and which encompasses the diverse counties of Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

firstsite is located at the heart of the east in Britain’s oldest recorded town, Colchester. It is close to the sea with the weight of Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge and Peterborough above it. 

For generations British artists have looked to the east - attracted by the clarity of our light, vast skies to the horizon and the diverse character of our unique landscape.

This is a region which has a long tradition of producing and nurturing artists. Few other areas in England can rival the number of creative talents who have made their homes here – and the tradition continues.