It’s Sprungtime at Barnaby’s! Introducing a joyous explosion of colourful art to celebrate the season, complementing the atmosphere at Barnaby’s Lounge.

Sprung! is the inaugural curated exhibition by Louise Whitham, a local multi-media artist, musician and performance artist. Her energy has shaped the exhibition, gathering exciting art by 23 local artists. “Sprung! is the start of a bi-monthly art show in which you can vote for your favourite piece,” she explains. To get closer to the artists, you can also watch a short video, which can be seen on social media (link below).

There’s a lot to take in: dramatic paintings, both figurative and abstract, with the addition of some three-dimensional pieces, all interpreting the theme in abundant varieties of self-expression. Over this year Louise will continue curating at Barnaby’s, and a host of imaginative exhibitions is planned: “As a curator, I find it an exciting challenge to work with local artists, creating engaging experiences that encourage people to interact with the work in new ways.”

It is well worth going down to Barnaby’s to witness these rich and evocative artworks for yourself. They are, also, all for sale. As Louise enthuses: “It has been a pleasure curating this exhibition, exploring the artists’ unique interpretations of the theme.”

The ‘SPRUNG!’ Art Exhibition is at Barnaby’s Lounge, Hastings, until 28 June. Opening party, meet the artists, Friday 9 May, 6:00–7:30pm, Barnaby’s Lounge, 46 Robertson Street, Hastings. Video at: facebook.com/artistlouisewhitham

Back stories don’t get much more eclectic than Barnaby Davies’. Born in the Shetland Isles, his family moved down south when he was two. He trained as a trombone player at Trinity College London, but dropped out and started driving trucks for AC/DC instead. Later he went into tourism and travelled the world as a tour guide; even today he still does the odd jaunt to Uzbekistan. He’s also the man behind Barnaby’s Lounge – the new jazz bar on Robertson Street in the town centre. “I’ve wanted to open a jazz bar since I saw The Score with Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro,” says Barnaby, “after a heist they always went to a jazz bar!”

How Barnaby came to be involved in his eponymous lounge is a bit more romantic, however. He and his now girlfriend Kalina met in Petit Fi, on George Street in the Old Town, but did their courting in Le Petit Balcon, which at the time was owned by Petit Fi’s owner. “We drank a lot of wine there, and fell in love,” remembers Barnaby. “We were heartbroken when it closed.” A long-term Hastings resident, he was in the process of signing a lease on another property that fell through at the last minute when Kalina saw that Le Petit Balcon was available again (it hadn’t been when they originally started looking). You could say it was fate. 

When Barnaby got the keys for the lounge, it was in a bit of a mess, having sat empty for a long time. But, unperturbed, and despite not having a cash register or any staff, he decided to book a band for their first Saturday and put an advert out. “Kalina wasn’t impressed, but I figured we might not open for ages if we didn’t just go for it.”

Now the lounge has staff, a cash desk and card reader and an already growing group of jazz fans who stop in for wine and regular jazz from local musicians as well as bigger names. On 16 December, Barnaby is organising a fundraiser for the roof of His Place Church with an impressive cast of musicians and special guest Chantelle Duncan who has worked with the likes of Nile Rodgers and Van Morrison. 

He also hopes the place will become somewhere people can come and work and network over a coffee, “We have super-fast wifi”, as well as for wine, cocktails, tapas and sharing boards.

Barnaby’s Lounge, 46 Robertson St, Hastings TN34 1HL: 01424 256675 @barnabyslounge