Coastal Currents

A studio beach hut, Saint Leonard's

 

The annual visual arts festival called "Coastal Currents", which extends from 8 to 23 September, has just finished.  Covering a variety of events in Hastings and Saint Leonard's, it is yet another example of local initiative that keeps both locals and tourists happy. 

 

It is not surprising, given the quality of the light in this remarkable town, that there is a high number of artists in the population.  "Coastal Currents" gives them the opportunity to show their work, not only in specially arranged exhibitions in art galleries and other dedicated spaces, but also in the privacy of their studios, which they open to the public.

 

I was sorry to have been so taken up with other things over the 15th and 16th that I was late in trying to catch up with events: but last Saturday I took the dogs for their afternoon walk to the beach huts that are tucked away at the western end of Saint Leonard's.  Some of these are used by artists as studios, and they were showing work varying from gift cards through paintings to glasswork.  Balzac and Oscar got more than their fair share of attention, and it is not ideal trying to look at artistic creations in confined spaces with two small animals in tow, but it made for a great afternoon.  Unfortunately the heavens opened the following day, so I cowered indoors, thus failing to visit the many other studios that were open.  Next year I shall be better prepared.

 

Antony Mair

 

 

Open studio, Rock-a-Nore, Hastings