POSTPONED: Lockdown Art

Update January 2021: we are working with the exhibitors to reschedule this exhibition when we are able to open our gallery again.  

On a Wednesday in mid-March 2020, we all met at a local café in Falmouth for our one-hour weekly Sketch Club. We were a group of art loving people who all enjoyed sketching/drawing/painting and socialising. Guided by Eve Bourrat, who is the founder of this club, each week Eve had given us a brief/mission, e.g. "Today’s mission if you choose to accept it is: Draw opposites!"

This club became so popular with anywhere up to 60 people, hence Friday became another session, again meeting in a different Falmouth café, at 10 am. 

It then became apparent that Covid-19 was about to put us all into "Lockdown" and fundamentally change our lives. Hence, as we came to the end of the last meeting before official lockdown, it was decided that those of us who were relatively 'fearless' could meet outside to continue to paint and draw. During the enforcement of official lockdown, many of our group were in the vulnerable category, so we determined we would continue to stay in touch from our homes through the WhatsApp group.

In the surreal space we found ourselves in, Eve still continued to give us 'briefs' on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10am via email. Some 18 of our group have continued, not only to use her amazingly clever briefs, but to share our worries and concerns through a mutual love of art. We have continued to support one another throughout. Many of us have been isolated, some with very fragile partners and some living alone. We have "chatted" well into the late night and early morning. We have shared our deepest emotions, vulnerability and fear. The group as a result, has bloomed with artistic encouragement. Perhaps, most importantly, with hope. It has deepened our friendship and led to the formation of a uniquely special bond during such unparalleled times. Moreover, we have all improved our artistic technique, leading to an outpouring of creativity. This group has truly been a force for light in the midst of lockdown darkness.

We were so thrilled with the outcome that we wanted to share our story and our work.

Something really amazing happened, through 'Lockdown'. This is the result. We hope you can take something away from our story and our sketches.

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."
- Buddha 

10% of the proceeds from all sales will go to the mental health maritime charity 'Sea Sanctuary'. Sea Sanctuary is a leading exponent of blue health, the concept that exposure to ‘blue spaces’, such as the sea, has a beneficial effect on mental health. Its programmes rely on the environment and use techniques thought to be the first of their kind in the world.

Exhibiting artists

Eve Bourrat
Rosalind Gutteridge
Rob Johnsey
Val McBroom
Mel Weerdmeester
Rebecca Love
Nikki Frater
Malcom Chuter
Kathy Warren
Candia Cox
Pippa Walkley
Liz Perry
Beryl Wilson
Lorna Ross
Al Ross
Lucy Williams
Sheila Huggett
Jannette Watson
Panda McComb