ARTISTS EAT THEIR WORDS

... the opening of a most glorious exhibition, titled Shed of Leaves, by artists from Folkestone based group, White Shed, who are gaining quite a reputation for diverse and interesting exhibitions. The works on show all have a literary theme or connection, including a mannequin inscribed with the cautionary words of a mother to her daughter and abstract canvases bearing the words of the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. The exhibition has been put together to offer a visual feast during Folkestone's renowned and vibrant Literary Festival.

The exhibition Shed of Leaves runs 31 October to 13 November
10am – 5pm daily at The Neville Pundole Gallery
Exhibiting artists:
Deborah Crofts
Nicholette Goff
Sally Higgs
John Howard
Giles Illsley
Cheryl Papasian
Sharon Rouse
Mark Sutherland
Gillian White

2008 :: Comment / reply

Closing down sale next weekend at The Neville Pundole Gallery

Many items over 50% OFF original price!

I didn't know Bar Vasa were moving out of the Cheesegrater, I don't get out much these days... the only times I have been there there was no-one in there, but then Tontine Street is still a bit of a stretch to picture as an ideal spot for a sophisticated evening. The "creative quarter" of Folkestone does seem to have stalled a bit doesn't it. Damn recession!

Having traded in Antiques and Fine & Applied Art for over 20 years and after running a Gallery in Canterbury in a good position near The Marlowe Theatre for ten years with wide experience of fine, collectable and quality items; a good cohort of willing staff and substantial stock, I was thinking of opening a second gallery in Margate's Old Town. Sadly, as predicted, the Turner Contemporary project in Margate stalled. Having heard of the regeneration of the Folkestone I investigated and was so drawn by the town with its various and interesting architecture; its unique light, sense of space and fine views I sold up in Canterbury and moved here.

I was excited by the chance of opening a much smaller Gallery within the Creative Quarter. I took a shop in The Old High Street for a few months as a tenant of the Creative Foundation but regret the decision for multiple reasons which included the high rent which was almost twice that per useable sq.ft. of my previous Gallery in Canterbury and it proved to be unfit for retail purpose. Still keen to continue trading in the Creative Quarter I took a much larger shop from a sensible commercial landlord at a rent which is a mere fraction of that charged by the Creative Foundation, a registered charity.

Sadly footfall has only increased, if at all, minimally and I have decided while continuing my business not to have premises.

During the past 27 months I have hosted around 17 exhibitions of which many proved successful and while I invited trustees, directors and staff of the Creative Foundation they have noticeably been absent.

I held an Art Exhibition in conjunction with Canterbury College and the Kent & Medway NHS Trust and while its Chief Executive drove from Maidstone to attend there was no support from the CF.

There was no representation from the CF at an exhibition of work by students from Arc 25, here in Tontine Street though I gather the organiser personally invited the then Chief Executive.

The CF has failed to retain the excellent Bar Vasa at the Quarterhouse, Wild for Flowers, one of their earliest supporters and Moda an award winning gift shop.

A director of the CF which employs only a few dozen people earns more than the chief Executive of Oxfam employing 6,000 people and is also a Trustee supervising his own job.

(see www.charity-commission.gov.uk)

While I continue to support what I see as the aims of this regeneration I cannot continue to trade here.

My next Exhibition will be on 27th & 28th March 2010 at The Grand on The Leas Folkestone

The Neville Pundole Gallery presently at 39 Tontine Street Folkestone Kent CT20 1JT

01303 223029 07860 278774 www.pundole.co.uk neville@pundole.co.uk sales@AffordART.co.uk [[http://www.AffordART.co.uk]

Thanks for support ....

Comment / reply

HG Wells ART at The Neville Pundole Gallery

Exhibition to tie in with the literary BOOK festival

Here Now



In support of the Folkestone Book Festival I have specially commissioned pieces by several artists, inspired by the works of H. G. Wells. The exhibition is comprised of works in Pottery, Glass and Paint; all drawing their influence from not only Wells' more famous works such as "The War of the Worlds" and "The Time Machine", but also "The Sea Lady... a Tissue of Moonshine" which Wells wrote whilst living in Folkestone. The exhibition ends 15th November. All works are for sale.

The Neville Pundole Gallery 39 Tontine Street Folkestone Kent CT20 1JT

01303 223029 07860 278774 www.pundole.co.uk
neville@pundole.co.uk

My Gallery in Folkestone is usually open Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 to 5.00 and most Sundays 11.00 to 4.00 or any time by appointment.

2009 :: Comment / reply