Festival of Arts Portsmouth
Visit Website: Festival of Arts Portsmouth
In 2005 a small group of local artists, not professional, felt that this city of ours was not interested in the wealth of talent existing within the area, and that there was very little in the way of venues where their work could be shown to the public. That small group, was part of a group that occupy the arches at Broad Street, Portsea on Sundays, which historically has housed artists for over 100 years. The group was successful two years ago (2006) in setting up the Peoples Gallery in conjunction with a local charity. That worked well for a year but since it was for paintings only, it was not ideal for other varied talents.
The group then became associated with an experienced promotions person – Peter Sopp and we turned to Victoria Park with a view to setting up the Art In The Park project where all talented people would be able to display and sell their various types of craftwork. After spending the best part of a year setting up this project, it was eventually shelved due to the fact of traffic and parking problems within the park.
After that disappointment the group turned to the City Museum where the intention was to use the grounds with coloured gazebos where People could show their craftwork, The preparations went fine for around three months, until at point of signing the contract the offer was removed due to the fact that there was to be an art exhibition of their own and so we were again defeated at the final hurdle. However the City Museum Director was able to offer the group a lifeline in the use of Speakers Corner. This was accepted. The site was viewed, preparations made and after two months the decision was made that the site was not suitable and long range weather forecasts were not encouraging. During this time the group sadly lost a founder member in David Carroll. Although a professional artist, David was a staunch supporter of the non professional and all levels of talent.
The group now reformed and put past disappointments aside and decided to seek an indoor venue, one that would be able to be used both now and in the future. This time the group enlisted the aid of the Chairman of the P.C.C. Cultural Committee – Terry Hall and the Director of Commerce of the City Museum – David Evans and went direct to the General Manager of the Pyramid Centre. After looking and rejecting several sites, here at last we hit the jackpot. The General Manager and his Programme Director decided this was a project they could and would like to support, and so they were immediately co-opted into the group.
The group now consists of two artists, one photographic person, one promotions person, one P.C.C. Councillor as cultural advisor, one Director of City Museum as Commerce Advisor and the General Manager of the Pyramids – Ben Lawrence and the programme co-ordinator of the Pyramids – Pam Stewart.
Michael Ward of mjward.co.uk has joined the group helping to set up a permanent website. With such a comprehensive project team an association is born. We will at the festival, be looking amongst the talent on show, for people with enthusiasm, with some free time and above all some dedication, to be an important part in the birth of an association which will look to maintain show venues for the massive amount of varied talents in this area.
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