Arty Eastbourne

I’m on my way home to Bermuda after almost a week back at, er, home in the UK seeing family, mates and those Addicks.

I have been in Eastbourne most of the trip, my parents live just outside the town, and although it has been bloody freezing, Eastbourne did live up to it’s billing of the Sunshine Coast.

Eastbourne is also getting a reputation for being a little bit arty these days. The Turner Prize, the annual prestigious award given to a British contemporary artist, is to be held in Eastbourne this year.

Every other year the ceremony and exhibition takes place at Tate Britain, and then in between it alternates around the country. In 2023, the sleepy seaside town of Eastbourne will be put under the creative limelight as its Towner Art Gallery is selected to host the coveted Turner Prize.

2023 marks a century since The Towner first opened. The gallery was established as a project in 1920 following the death of Alderman John Chisholm Towner, who left 22 paintings, £6,000 and instructions for the establishment of an art gallery. John will be feeling very proud.

The shortlisted artists will be announced in the spring 2023 and an exhibition of their work will open in the Towner in September.

The Turner Prize winner is awarded £25,000 with £10,000 awarded to the other shortlisted artists at an award finals ceremony in December 2023.

The whole area around what is called the Devonshire Quarter in Eastbourne has been through a transformation. It is home to the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, home to the annual ‘Eastbourne’ pre-Wimbledon tournament every June, plus a couple of theatre’s including the newly renovated Congress. There’s a lovely little cafe in there too.

Also here is the Devonshire Theatre and next door to that is The Stage Door pub, architecturally noble with it’s red brick and copper domes as well as the Towner. An ambitious and striking gallery perhaps where you’d least expect it.