THE town will be holding its first art fair next month thanks to the efforts of three local artists, Anne Molineux, Sue Vass and Jill Goldsworthy.
The free creative extravaganza will take place in the open air along River Walk on Saturday June 2.
The aim is to expand the reach of art and promote the work of artists in Tonbridge.
It follows the recent success of the Tonbridge Creates pop-up shop and also ArtSpring Gallery in the High Street, which will soon celebrate its second anniversary.
The three artists are all long-time residents of Tonbridge. Jill and Sue used to organise Art on the Railings, where artists hung their work around Castle Lawn. They are also members of the 4Art Group, who exhibit their work at Tonbridge Castle every autumn.
Anne was one of the team who set up ArtSpring Gallery and the trio were all founder members who retain a close association with the collective.
Jill explains the ethos behind the new venture, saying: ‘Tonbridge definitely needs more provision to showcase artists. The creative talent is here but no purpose built arts centre.
‘Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks both have designated spaces in Trinity and Kaleidoscope. It is pitiful that there is so little opportunity to create a permanent exhibition space in such a large town, which is obviously hungry for art.’
Tonbridge Art Fair is the opening event for Artists’ Open Studios, which will see 35 artists showing their work in their own homes and studios around the town over the weekends throughout June.
Initially the organisers approached local artists to participate in the fair. Then word has spread so there are exhibitors from further afield in Kent.
There will be a range of original art including photography, paintings, digital collages, prints, illustrations, caricatures and jewellery.
There are still vacancies for artists to book a stall. Spaces are available for a fee of £40 for a three-metre square space, on which artists erect their own gazebo.
It is entirely the artists’ decision how they fill their space with original artwork.
If you are interested in taking part, contact annemolineux@btinternet.com
PICTURE: EASEL LIVING (L-R) Sue Vass, Anne Molineux and Jill Goldsworthy
