Bluewater will be hosting two non-profit art exhibitions next month to support the local art community. The Under the Rainbow exhibition will be on the Lower Rose Gallery and North Kent College’s “Nightfall” photography exhibition will be on the Lower Guildhall, both are free to attend.
Following the huge success of Under the Rainbow’s first exhibition at Bluewater last autumn, they will be returning with a new exhibition from 1st March until 4th April 2022. The pop-up exhibition will showcase work from local schools and from the Community Art Projects at HMP Elmley – a group which helps prisoners express themselves and rehabilitate. The local schools partaking are Stone St Mary’s CofE Primary School, Dartford Primary Academy, Hartlip Endowed Church of England Primary School, Rochester Grammar School, and Maidstone Invicta School. As hanging art, Under the Rainbow will have displays of sculpture, glass, jewellery, ceramics and textiles. The exhibition will be free to visit and open daily from 11am-8pm (Monday-Saturday) and 11am-5pm (Sunday).
Ewa Page and Alison Ridley, founding members of Under the Rainbow, said: “We are so thankful to Bluewater for welcoming us back for a second exhibition. The first exhibition was a huge success, and we can’t wait to open our doors once again. We are delighted to support local schools and prison rehabilitation groups, as art plays such an important role within the local community, and it should be celebrated.”
The second exhibition called “NIGHTFALL” is presented by North Kent College. It brings together the works of 18 Extended Diploma Photography students and presents a range of responses to the theme – from gothic-inspired fashion, surreal night visions and eerie cinematic scenes, through to images that shine a light on some of society’s stereotypes, and in doing so, bring about opportunities for growth and change. The exhibition will be free to visit and will run from 1st – 16th March.
Rachel Letchford, Photography Lecturer at North Kent College, commented: “Our students are so excited to exhibit their work at Bluewater, as it is such an integral part of the local community, and they have all grown up visiting the centre. We are grateful to Bluewater for providing the space for our exhibition and supporting our students.”
James Waugh, Centre Director at Bluewater, added: “We are delighted to be able to support both Under the Rainbow and North Kent College, and in turn, support Kent-based creatives. We hope these exhibitions will inspire the next generation of artists at our local schools and colleges.”