13 May 2013
So, Hastings & 1066 Country's bid for UK City of Culture 2017 has been submitted. It's now a nervous wait until June when the shortlist of four will be announced.
However, we're not just sitting back with our feet up. Bexhill's De La Warr Pavilion and Hastings' Jerwood Gallery have joined forces with Eastbourne's Towner Gallery to offer a Coastal Culture Trail during the weekend of 7 - 9 June 2013. The galleries - three of the most exciting visual arts galleries in the UK - share a stunning 20 mile stretch of the sunniest coastline in the country. Less than 90 minutes from London, it's the perfect destination for a fabulous weekend of great art, great food and the great outdoors.
The Coastal Culture Trail launches on the evening of 7 June 2013, and the weekend promises a variety of special events taking place across the three galleries. Take a pick and mix approach from the 'What's On' menu http://www.jerwoodgallery.org/_assets/media/editor/file/website%20cct.pdf or try some of the 'specials' here below, on offer exclusively to participants of the Coastal Culture Trail.
Jerwood Gallery: An evening of art and a five course dinner, all overlooking the largest beach launched fishing fleet in the country (shortest 'fish miles' in the country too!). Exclusive after-hours access to the permanent collection of 20th & 21st century British art and the temporary exhibition of figurative works by the acclaimed artist, William Scott RA (1913 - 1989).
De La Warr Pavilion: Join a tour around the Grade One listed Modernist De La Warr Pavilion built in 1935 and restored in 2005. Take part in a fanzine workshop at the De la Warr and enjoy an evening of comedy with BBC Radio 4 favourite, Henning Wehn.
Towner Gallery: An exclusive peek behind the scenes at the Towner Gallery, Eastbourne, with a Towner Collection Store Tour, offered free for the first time, only to participants of the Coastal Culture Trail.
Beyond the art. Explore the galleries' surroundings. Enjoy wandering the historic streets of Hastings' picturesque Old Town with its numerous quirky boutiques and antique shops. Discover the Stade fishing and cultural quarter. Ride Hastings' East Hill funicular railway (the steepest in the UK) to the Country Park and enjoy spectacular views over the Old Town and out to sea.
From Hastings it's a 10 minute train journey to Bexhill. Alternatively, rent a bike and enjoy the newly created coastal cycle route, which runs alongside the beach, from Hastings to Bexhill. Bexhill's new contemporary sea-front is a delight for an evening stroll or refreshing walk in the sunshine.
Towner sits at the foot of the South Downs National Park so, after taking in the striking views of the Downs from Towner's café bar, why not round off the weekend with a walk in some of the South's most beautiful countryside?
Special hotel and B&B rates are on offer to Coastal Culture Trail participants.
For more information contact Jane Ellis, Tourism Marketing Officer, Hastings & 1066 Country: jmellis@hastings.gov.uk 01424 451113
Notes to Editors:
De La Warr Pavilion
The Grade One Listed, Modernist De La Warr Pavilion is a centre for the contemporary arts which stands proudly overlooking Bexhill's new seafront. Built in 1935 and restored in 2005, it has exhibitions in two galleries, top music and comedy acts and film programme in the auditorium , a café and bar with outside balconies and magnificent sea views, a large flat roof open-air space for exhibitions and events, and a shop selling designer accessories and gifts. Artists who have exhibited include Jeremy Deller, Antony Gormley, Richard Wilson and Andy Warhol and recent headline acts include Eddie Izzard, Keane, Patti Smith and Vampire Weekend. The Pavilion and its exhibitions are open 364 days a year and are free to enter. Supported by Arts Council England and Rother District Council.
Jerwood Gallery
The award-winning Jerwood Gallery opened in March 2012. Designed by the young architectural practice HAT Projects, the Gallery houses the Jerwood Collection of 20th and 21st century art, along with a changing contemporary exhibitions programme. Previous exhibitions have included: a significant retrospective of painting and drawings by Rose Wylie: Big Boys Sit in the Front; Gary Hume: Flashback; Gillian Ayres: Paintings from the 50s; the Jerwood Drawing Prize 2012; and Knock Knock: Seven Artists in Hastings.
The Jerwood Collection features over 200 works of art by celebrated artists from the 20th century such as Sir Stanley Spencer RA, Lawrence Stephen Lowry RA, and Augustus John RA, alongside works from winners of the Jerwood Painting Prize such as Craigie Aitchison, RA, Maggi Hambling, Patrick Caulfield, RA and Prunella Clough.
The gallery is open Tuesday - Sunday (bank holiday Mondays). Periodic closure at exhibition change over times. £7 for adults, children (5-16 years) £3.50, Concessions: £5.
Towner
Towner, Eastbourne's award-winning new gallery opened April 2009. Funded by Eastbourne Borough Council and Arts Council England, with 1,250 m2 of display space, Towner boasts the largest gallery space in the South East region. Towner presents a unique programme of major exhibitions of contemporary and historic visual art alongside displays from the internationally renowned, 4000-strong Towner Collection. The Towner Collection includes the largest and most significant body of work by Eric Ravilious (1903-1942). Admission is free. Open Tuesdays - Sunday, and Bank Holidays.
