The New Independent Coastal Currents Arts Festival now stretches from Eastbourne to Rye. It offers street art, workshops, exhibitions, music and other events across the area, attracting many sponsors over the years, among them Blackshed, De La Warr Pavilion, Rother District Council, Hastings Borough Council, the Art Fund and others. The launch party will be at the 1930s De La Warr Pavilion on August 31, starting at 6pm.
At the beach-side lawn, there will be an all-day celebration with soul, funk, drum and bass music. Both events are free but booking is necessary.
In Rye, Matt Hardman who has exhibited at the Rye Art Gallery, opens his home and studio for the first time to the public. His cross-disciplinary imagery should prove an interesting and stimulating visit. It is open from August 31 to September 1 and September 7 and 8.
At the Hastings Contemporary, recently changed over from the Jerwood, Rock-a-Nore-Road, Hastings Old Town, Tal-R (an Israel-born Danish artist based in Copenhagen) is described in the brochure as “one of the most important contemporary artists working today.” Tal R himself says: “The work of an artist should always be more clever than the artist.” His exhibition is on until October 13.
In St Leonards-on-Sea, the Rogue Gallery Studios at 62 Norman Road, hosts several artists, one of which is Suzie Zamit, a portrait/figure sculptor, modelling in clay and wax. The gallery is open from August 31 to September 1 and September 7 and 8. Don’t miss a visit to the Kino-Teatr in Norman Road which has events, art and films all the year round as well as a wonderful restaurant with Lebanese food. There are many more events and open studios and they are all in the Coastal Current brochure .
Image Credits: Coastal Currents , Rye News Library , Heidi Foster .