Art show - it's a community celebration

The launch of the Celebration Art Show at Southwater Community Centre, St Leonards on Sea, attracted a large crowd to the Private View, held last Wednesday (May 24).
Betsie Field and her nan Jean in front of their exhibitsBetsie Field and her nan Jean in front of their exhibits
Betsie Field and her nan Jean in front of their exhibits

The show, which runs until next Monday (4th June), was opened by Paul Broadhurst, who is the committee chairman for the centre.

Around forty local artists of all ages are exhibiting their works which are based on the theme of Celebration.

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The centre, which celebrated its fifteen year anniversary this May, provides a wide range of activities, seminars, courses and workshops for the community.

Mencap service users and staff.  Julie Wilder, Kevin Boon, Liz Turner and Jennifer Times SUS-170530-142454001Mencap service users and staff.  Julie Wilder, Kevin Boon, Liz Turner and Jennifer Times SUS-170530-142454001
Mencap service users and staff. Julie Wilder, Kevin Boon, Liz Turner and Jennifer Times SUS-170530-142454001

Organiser of the event, local artist Nick Hill, says the artists exhibiting include ten children and seven Mencap service users. “They were all thrilled to participate and receive certificates of participation and small gifts,” he said.

“One little girl, Nancy Upton, told her granddad (who also exhibits in the show) that she now reckoned she was a ‘real and proper artist’ since she had exhibited... which I thought was rather sweet and amusing.”

The works exhibited include paintings, drawings, pastels, mixed media pieces and, what Nick describes as a couple of ‘rather funky’ Easter bonnets by two of the show’s younger entrants Jake and Ollie Sayer. Max from popular Indie rock band, Alibi provided a range of ambient sounds on his guitar throughout the evening.

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Nick says organising group shows such as this is hard work compared to solo shows, adding: “But it is also very rewarding getting younger artists involved along with people of all walks of life who don’t usually get the chance to exhibit their work.”

Punch and Judy go to Telham by Nick Hill SUS-170530-142417001Punch and Judy go to Telham by Nick Hill SUS-170530-142417001
Punch and Judy go to Telham by Nick Hill SUS-170530-142417001

Nick has a busy summer coming up with three solo exhibitions at Bar None, Queens Road, Hastings throughout June; the Dragon Bar, Hastings Old Town from June 7 for two weeks and at the Zoom Gallery, Warrior Square Station in July.

He said: “More importantly, I will be putting on a solo show at the Southwater Community Centre during this years Coastal Currents called Something Fishy Going On.

“The proceeds from sales for this show will be donated to the charity, Mind which means a lot to me having suffered from deep episodes of depression for most of my adult life. Last year I did a similar project and raised over £630 for Alzheimer’s. My late father having suffered from the disease.”

For more details, visit www.southwatercommunity centre.org.

Celebration by Nancy Upton SUS-170530-142441001Celebration by Nancy Upton SUS-170530-142441001
Celebration by Nancy Upton SUS-170530-142441001
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Mencap service users and staff.  Julie Wilder, Kevin Boon, Liz Turner and Jennifer Times SUS-170530-142454001Mencap service users and staff.  Julie Wilder, Kevin Boon, Liz Turner and Jennifer Times SUS-170530-142454001
Mencap service users and staff. Julie Wilder, Kevin Boon, Liz Turner and Jennifer Times SUS-170530-142454001

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