On the trail of art in Fareham

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I enjoy art, but I’m ashamed to say I can’t remember the last time I went to an exhibition.

I’m not really sure why. Certainly since Tin Box Tot came along it hasn’t seemed like an appropriate activity. The squeals of a toddler are hardly the perfect accompaniment to a collection of oil paintings.

However, this week I decided TBT should accompany me to look around Fareham Art Trail. It’s a new event for the town that aims to bring quality art to the community.

The venues were all public spaces and businesses, so I didn’t feel too embarrassed when TBT got a little bored and wanted to run around.

We started in Fareham Library where there was a collection of postcards by artists and members of a group run by Autism Hampshire. I particularly liked this one.

‘Spice Island’ by Mike Budd

All the postcards had been designed around the concept of ‘town’ and what it meant to the artists.

Next we visited Ferneham Hall – an entertainment venue, which had given up an large exhibition space for paper sculptures, ceramic installations and framed art. Tin Box Tot decided she’d had enough of her pushchair and wanted to take a look around. She then proceeded to rearrange a display of the Art Trail catalogues. I like to think she was inspired to create her own masterpiece!

‘Lovers at the Carousel’ by Clare Jefferson Jones

‘Giant Flamingos’ by Sam Pierpoint

‘Breakthrough’ by Beth Davis-Hofbauer

Our final stop was at Westbury Manor gardens, which were looking fabulous despite the wet weather.

This was the venue for Fareham Art Trail’s sculpture garden. Tin Box Tot agreed to stay in her pushchair this time (just) while we looked for the art in the flower beds. Here’s a couple of pieces we particularly liked.

‘Dromdary’ by Louise Thomas

‘Sailing High’ by Jan Griffiths

If I’d had more time I would have loved to have visited some of the other venues around the town centre and further afield. Luckily I did get so see more of the art at the launch event. But an hour or so was enough for TBT’s first foray into the art world so we headed home.

It was great to be able to experience art on my doorstep and with a toddler in tow – something I would not usually have felt confident about doing. I have a feeling Fareham Art Trail will become a regular fixture, so I look forward to experiencing it all again next year.

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