Collector John Brandler talks through the Banksy show at The Minories on Thursday 26 November, with prosecco and canapés. 80 places at £25, for St Helena.
St Helena Hospice is taking over The Minories for an evening on Thursday 26 November, with drinks, canapés and a talk on the gallery’s Banksy exhibition from the collector who lent most of it. An Evening of Banksy runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, tickets are £25, and the hospice says all proceeds go to its services.
There are only 80 places. Booking closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 24 November, or sooner if the event sells out, according to the event’s terms and conditions.
What happens on the night
The evening is built around Out of Line: Banksy and the Art of Dissent, the exhibition that opened at The Minories on 10 October and runs until 28 February. In its invitation, the hospice describes it as “an exclusive event of art, drinks, canapés and fascinating stories behind one of the worlds most influential contemporary artists”.
“Every artwork in the exhibition is either an original piece or an artist-certified print, giving visitors the chance to experience the real work of Banksy alongside works of leading figures in street art and urban contemporary art,” St Helena said.
The speaker is John Brandler, whose collection makes up most of the show. The hospice calls him “one of the UKs leading Banksy collectors and experts” and says he “will share fascinating stories behind the collection” and “offer unique insights into the artists impact”. Its event page adds that he draws on more than 20 years of acquiring, preserving and exhibiting Banksy’s work.
According to that page, the evening includes:
- welcome drinks, a glass of prosecco and canapés
- a talk on the Banksy collection
- time to explore the exhibition, which the hospice says has 28 original Banksy artworks alongside pieces by more than twenty other street artists
- networking: the hospice says it is inviting local businesses to use the night to meet new contacts
The event is supported by Hart Wilcox, which the hospice describes as “creative design and production specialists”, and which is presenting interactive elements alongside St Helena.
Tickets and booking
| When | Thursday 26 November 2026, 6.30pm to 8.30pm |
|---|---|
| Where | The Minories, 74 High Street, Colchester CO1 1UE |
| Tickets | £25 per person |
| Places | 80 |
| Booking closes | 11.59pm, Tuesday 24 November, or when it sells out |
| Age | 18 and over |
| Book | register.enthuse.com |
| Questions | upemmasani@sthelena.org.uk |
Read the terms before you book. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, and if the evening is called off for reasons outside the hospice’s control, such as snow, it will pick another date rather than refund. A carer coming with a guest has to register and pay like everyone else, because of the event insurance.
Access needs checking too. The terms say the exhibition “does move into areas upstairs and stair access only”, and ask anyone who wants to talk about accessibility to contact the hospice before booking.
For parking, the hospice says spaces are available in and around the city centre close to The Minories. Our guide to parking in Colchester lists them.
Where the money goes
The terms say every pound raised goes into the hospice’s general funds, covering all of its services. St Helena cares for people in north east Essex with incurable illness and supports those who have been bereaved, at its hospice in Highwoods and in people’s homes. On its own website, the hospice says only 20% of its funding comes from the NHS, and the rest is raised from supporters.
What it means for you
- If you have been meaning to see the Banksy show, this is a way to see it after hours, with the collector who lent the work. The usual daytime ticket is £12.50; this one is £25, and the money goes to the hospice.
- Book early. 80 places is not many, and booking closes on 24 November at the latest.
- If stairs are a problem, contact St Helena before you pay, since tickets cannot be refunded.
- If you run a local business, the hospice is pitching the evening as a networking night as well.
Sources
- Invitation and event details sent to The Colchester Post by St Helena Hospice, 19 October 2026.
- An evening with Banksy, St Helena Hospice, for the programme, the FAQs, John Brandler’s background, Hart Wilcox, age limit and parking. Read 19 October 2026.
- An Evening of Banksy terms and conditions (PDF), St Helena Hospice, for capacity, closing date, refunds, access and where the money goes.
- Events and challenges, St Helena Hospice, for the event listing and the hospice’s funding.
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