THE cartoonist who brought us Gonzo Art has now brought us his vision of a Cathedragogue in the County Town.

Ralph Steadman is among dozens of artists, photographers, poets, writers and musicians who appear in Artists Don’t Bite, a new documentary about Maidstone.

The film, which has been two months in the making, features interviews with creative people in the town expressing their visions for a Maidstone artists’ quarter.

The film-maker, former University College for the Creative Arts student Margherita Gramegna, has designed it to complement the current Maidstone Art at the Centre project, Crea+ive Maids+one.

She hopes it will open people’s eyes to the promising artistic future of Maidstone.

She said: “My fundamental aim is building bridges between the arts and the general public.

“The response from the creatives has been tremendous.

“Artists have taken different directions, their responses vary from explosive performances like that of the Youth Theatre, to inspiring projects such as Ralph Steadman’s fantastical idea of a Cathedragogue, to the more ideological concepts of Graham Clarke’s call for a more harmonious way of living.”

kmfm’s Breakfast DJ Ant Payne and Kent Messenger reporter Anna Stephens also feature in the film.

The film, which has been supported by funding by the Arts Council England, South East, will premiere at the Stone Court Hotel on Saturday, June 28, at 3pm.

In addition it will be showing at the Town Hall on the same day from 10am to 2pm; the Graham Clarke Gallery from Tuesday, July 1, to Saturday, July 5, 10am-2pm; The Royal Star Arcade on July 5, 10am-4pm; The Ashes from June 28 to July 5, all day; and Ethos from June 28 to July 5, all day.

The public will be invited to vote on the ideas proposed.

The grand finale will be a video installation at the Town Hall on Friday, July 25, from 7pm to 9pm, which will include the artists’ ideas followed by the public’s responses and the announcement of the winning artist.