Art show at Littlehampton Museum opens the door on springtime

The first Littlehampton Open art exhibition invited work to be submitted on the theme “Spirit of Spring” – and artists have clearly embraced the seasonal sentiment.

The museum was inundated with entries for the competition from all over Sussex, amateurs and professionals alike, and Saturday’s preview and opening was attended by a record 134 people, including many of the 72 artists whose work is now on display until June 8.

Springtime is naturally a popular subject, with boxing hares, leaping lambs, golden daffodils and blooming bluebells giving the museum’s Hearne Gallery a vibrant hue.

One of the most striking paintings is by the youngest individual exhibitor, Jasmine Seager, 11, from Rustington, whose bright red tulips, in acrylic on canvas, stand out from the wall.

As well as paintings in a variety of media, there are photographs, sculptures and examples of installation art to admire.

Lucy Ashby, exhibitions officer at the museum, said: “We have been stunned by the quality of work. It was like Christmas when all the parcels began turning up, and opening them and seeing what was inside was very exciting.”

Lucy, museum curator Juliet Nye and Duncan Thrussell, of the Arts in Action network, selected the 200-plus works featured in the exhibition. Most are by local artists, however, the number of entries from further afield was an encouraging sign that Littlehampton is increasingly being seen as a place where art is appreciated and can be displayed well.

The exhibition will also form part of the Littlehampton Arts Trail, which is being organised by Arts in Action on May 19/20 and 26/27 – more information on the trail will be carried in the Gazette later.

“The response we had from the call to take part in the ‘Open’ was overwhelming,” said councillor Joyce Bowyer, chairman of the town council’s community resources committee. “I am delighted at the quality of the pieces we received, and encourage everybody to come along to see the wealth of talent displayed.”