Madonna has written a gushing love letter to an unlikely UK seaside town, revealing that she visits the area regularly and has grown attached to its growing arts community. The singer shared the message with her followers and spoke about why the town means so much to her. 

Madonna is known for her decades-long career as a pop star, performer and cultural figure. She has worked with artists from around the world, but this time she chose to highlight the work being done in Margate, a seaside town in Kent that she says she returns to often.

She posted the full message on Instagram, writing: “Dame Tracey Emin is a Pearl. A precious necklace that has been draped around a seaside town in England called Margate. I have known Tracey for over 25 years and I’ve always been a fan of her extremely personal and provocative work. But what she has created in this community by the sea is quite remarkable.

“She has an artist residency program where she invites young artists from all around the world to come and paint and live for several months, artist who otherwise would have no place to paint and develop their talent and be a part of the many exhibitions that happen around Margate. I’ve been there a few times now and I’m always struck by the commitment and passion of all of these artists.

“Hungry, possessed, and extremely grateful to have this opportunity. They all have very touching stories to share and honestly it’s so refreshing to witness them working in such a dedicated way. Not only that, but the whole town seems to be inhabited and energized by creativity.

“Writers and performance artists, photographers, and painters. This is my idea of heaven. Whenever I go there, I feel like I’ve entered a dream. On top of all of that, I get to eat at my favorite Italian restaurant which I’m not giving anyone the name of because then everyone’s going to go there and it only has one table!!

“Good to share something in the news that is not about hatred and killing but celebrates human connection and the ability that Art has to elevate people. To bring people together.”

In her post, Madonna focuses heavily on Dame Tracey Emin, the artist she has known for more than 25 years.

Dame Emin is one of Britain’s most recognisable contemporary artists and is known for work that is personal, direct and often emotional.

She has created pieces in painting, sculpture, photography, neon text and film, and became part of the Young British Artists movement in the 1980s.

Emin’s work is collected by a number of celebrities. Elton John owns several pieces, as did the late George Michael, who displayed her work at his foundation in Dallas.

Other well-known figures such as Naomi Campbell, Orlando Bloom and Ronnie Wood have supported her over the years.

Madonna’s post has also brought new attention to Margate itself. Visit Kent says the town mixes old seaside traditions with a strong cultural scene. 

The Turner Contemporary gallery is one of its biggest attractions. The harbour area has cafés and places to eat. 

Dreamland, the historic amusement park, hosts events and live shows. The Old Town has independent shops and galleries, along with museums and historic buildings.

There are also well-known sights such as the Shell Grotto and the Tudor House. The town’s theatres, including the Winter Gardens and Theatre Royal, have hosted big performers for more than a century.