Hastings Arts Forum Members’ Exhibition
Hastings Arts Forum is one of the first art galleries to open again this spring, with an exhibition featuring works by HAF members
Like many local charities, they have had a particularly tough winter, but spring is finally ‘springing,’ and the lifting of lockdown restrictions means they were able to open on 13th April.
Lesley Barker, who heads the exhibitions and hanging team, says: “Since this time last year we have reduced down to one gallery, which looks smart and stylish, and some people even prefer it! We have coped with Covid closures, made our gallery Covid-safe for visitors, staff, exhibiting artists and for the hanging team to operate safely. Most of our members have shown their support by keeping their membership running throughout this difficult year, which has helped us enormously.”
The single unit in Marine Court gallery is a very stylish space, “lit by natural light bouncing off the sea and a blended state-of-the-art LED lighting system”. While closed, HAF was able to offer its 400+ members the opportunity to show their work in the gallery windows, and via its website, through a series of informal Lockdown Shows, offering passers-by fresh artwork to view and purchase via their website.
So, to celebrate the diverse talents of its membership and its return from lockdown, the gallery begins the 2021 season with a formal presentation of work by HAF members – an opportunity for the organisation to thank all those artists who have continued to support them, evincing solidarity and confidence in HAF during difficult times.
The Members’ Show runs until 1st May and 70 of HAF’s members are showing their work, which, according to the HAF Facebook page, is “an unprecedented number of exhibiting artists”. HAF are delighted by this “great show of enthusiasm for the local art scene” and say: “Make sure you visit the Gallery soon and support the thriving, innovative and creative community that St Leonards was, pre-Covid, and will be once more.”
• HAF is open Tuesday – Sunday 11.00am – 5.00pm.
For further information or to become a member go to: hastingsartsforum.co.uk
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. The future of our volunteer led, non-profit publication would be far more secure with the aid of a small donation. You can also support local journalism by becoming a friend of HIP. It only takes a minute and we would be very grateful.
Leave a Reply