image credit: Christine Racher
BBC TV personality, Antiques Roadtrip star, James Braxton, (left)
The launch of the pocket art gallery at the Bay Hotel
A successful launch of a pocket art gallery on the panels of the Bay Hotel lounge yesterday (May 1), has pointed the way to the establishment of a permanent art gallery in Pevensey Bay, something that has been mooted for a number of years in the village.
Launching the invitation only event, James Braxton, television personality and antiques expert, and one of the stars of BBC Antiques Road Trip, started the venture by praising the ‘artistic dynamic duo’, Val and Chris Racher, the local artists who have made the gallery at the Bay Hotel happen.
James, who is also the owner of the Lamb Inn, Wartling, with short timely speech also praised ‘Katie’ at the Ocean View Bakery for her support with local art and explained how important local art is to any community.
He talked about how much “on a micro-level” in relation to art “you can do it yourselves” and what a “great anchor for artists” the enterprise could be, helping to “invigorate local artists and all their work”.
To sustained applause amongst the 40 people gathered to witness the launch, he ended with twinkle in his eye, coming back to tell people, grinning, “by the way the gallery is now open”.
The preview exhibition saw 41 works of local art , presented by 7 local artists.
Local artist of the month, Steve Tanner saw 12 of his works of art featured, the star of the show being a Turneresque piece which showed significant compositional skill, as well as originality. The work, set of the beach shows a moody sky and the golden groynes in an impressionistic haze. What marks out the work of Steve Tanner is his ability to capture a depth of mood with the local landscape.
The large work, modestly priced at £290, is expected to sell. A number of his works have already seen reservations placed on the corner of his frames.
The crowd gathered enjoyed a feast of a buffet offered by the Bay Hotel staff, with go-ahead manager at the start of the proceedings, Karen Hudson. welcoming all the new people to the hotel, explaining that exhibiting local art is part of the process of major restoration that is currently being undertaken at the hotel.
The event inspired a number of art groups who were present at the launch, with the talk turning to some of the work on display.
Inspiration for local artists to get their work featured was in evidence, with one person leaning over to her friend saying “you should get you work featured here Trevor”.
The lift offered to the artists community of Pevensey Bay was manifest as the pocket gallery on the panels of the Bay Hotel lounge was launched.
The ‘artistic dynamic duo” detailed by BBC personality James Braxton deserve credit in our community, as does the Bay Hotel which is staging the gallery.
‘Artists of the month’ are already booked to appear on the walls of the pocket art gallery at the Bay Hotel coffee lounge right through to December 2019.
Tomorrow, (May 2) new bi-fold doors are to be installed at the front of the bay Hotel, which will open from the street to the lounge, serving visitors and hotel residents with real Italian coffee, real Italian ice cream, waffles and pizzas made on the premises.
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image credit: Christine Racher
Local artist Steve Tanner
Star artwork of the show, ‘Cloud and Light on Pevensey Bay Beach”
Turneresque artwork depicting Pevensey Bay Beach
