ONCE again, Southport will become a hotbed of artistic activity this summer as Southport Contemporary Arts continues to roll out its wide-ranging programme of events across the resort.

Since its inception in 2009, SCA has successfully maintained its profile as a leader in support of the region’s artistic population and is continuously applauded for its well-established calendar of extensive exhibitions, public workshops and persistent support of local artists, designers and makers.

Hot on the heals of its successful Spring Open Exhibition in March 2023, the ArtHouse gallery in Eastbank Street will form the hub of an ambitious line-up that includes exhibitions, open studios and ‘Have-A-Go’ workshops in the area.

SCA Director, Norrie Beswick-Calvert explains:- “As part of our annual 'Creative Connectivity' events in June we'll be celebrating the power of connection within our creative community with a 3 week exhibition that also continues our 10th birthday celebration of ArtHouse, our Southport town centre gallery. With work from artists and makers whose creative practice spans painting, textiles, ceramics, photography and much more, it will be an exhibition and sale of works that visitors will be inspired by and hopefully discover that perfect piece to compliment their home or gift to a special someone”.

Norrie will be showing a trio of her own tactile rock pool artworks inspired by the strandline of decomposing seaweed and debris typically left behind at each high tide. Recalling rocky cove camping holidays with her growing family, Norrie’s textiles are an inventive reminder:- “'Rock pool' endeavours to capture the colours and shapes on show when sitting quietly on a near rock just watching the life that teams in them. I used the 'free machine embroidery' technique to draw with a needle and thread the swirling nature of the plant and sea life that one would see if they too were to sit for a quiet moment or 2”.

Digital artist, Dave Sutton from Birkdale, will also be 1 of the ArtHouse featured artists exhibiting examples of his mesmerizing abstract creations. Having learned to write computer coding as a teenager, since retiring from a career in IT, Dave has been keen to explore the potential of combining Science and Art to generate his dynamic and visually arresting imagery.

“Although I use common Digital Design and Editing apps, I also use additional apps for Artificial Intelligence and Fractal Geometry, and write computer code to create graphics”.

The simplicity of Dave’s digital realisations, rendered using an eye-catching colour palette, deliver a mathematical beauty that is immediately captivating to both the digitally initiated and the creatively minded alike.

Inclusivity has always been at the forefront of SCA’s rationale to nurture creative nature within everyone.

The variety of 2023 activities maintain the breadth and scope of previous years and include ‘Have-A-Go’ workshops in weaving, where participants will be introduced to spinning, tapestry and working on a loom, Raku firing ceramic pots in a special open air fire pit and an exclusive ‘crafternoon tea’ exploring the design possibilities of transfer printing onto fabric.

Over in Marshside, ceramic sculptor and painter, Pam Thomas, will be inviting visitors to her studio where she is currently working on her new figure collection, ‘Refugees’.

Ted Roberts will also be holding an open studio where he will be introducing visitors to his own creative practice and latest body of work, as well as being happy to engage in conversation about what motivates artists to keep going:- “As an artist I tend to avoid overusing labels like abstract or figurative, landscape or portrait or any other titles that pigeonhole artwork. I prefer to think of my work as experiments, sometimes I get positive results and sometimes I get failures. However, in going through the process, I have usually learned something that I can build on.”

Elsewhere, Southport College will be hosting a 2-day exhibition from students across its creative courses including art, graphics, games design, media and photography showcasing work from its college university centre and adult courses.

For more details and information about all of this month’s exciting events, please download the information PDF @ the SCA website.