We are proud to announce our Easter Creative Market, on April 12 -13 – 2025. Hotwalls welcomes both market traders and the public to the iconic Parade Ground here in Old Portsmouth.
Easter Creative Market, featuring talented designers and makers from across the South. The market will see over 40 outdoor stalls of art and creativity, 13 open artist studios, live music, food and demonstrations. With lots of talented makers and artists coming together, the market provides the opportunity to browse and buy handcrafted pieces from a huge variety of traders. The Hotwalls resident artists will be open, so you can find out about their art and the creative process behind their work.
Contact hotwallsstudios@portsmouthcc.gov.uk for further information. Follow our social medias for updates on traders, musicians, art and timings!
Emily Faludy – First Artist to have her work exhibited at The Windbreaks on Southsea Seafront
Emily Faludy is a Portsmouth-based artist who paints from life in an energised, expressive way, in impasto oil paint. Emily is interested in both the raw energy gained from being in front of the subject matter, and the physicality of the paint, which becomes almost a subject in itself. Emily is influenced by artists such as Bomberg, Auerbach and George Rowlett. Recently her practice has expanded to include still life painting in the studio. Faludy was shortlisted for the Jacksons Art Prize 2021 and was the winner of Paint Out Norfolk 2021. The paintings reproduced for The Windbreaks include five of her still life paintings and five sections taken from her landscape paintings of locations including Portchester Harbour and the Isle of Wight.
Applications are now open for the next round of public art display at The Windbreaks – for more information check here: The Windbreaks – Hotwalls Studios
Developing Your Creative Practice
This week Hotwalls Studios opened the doors of the historic Round Tower to welcome local creatives and cultural practitioners to learn and explore more about the Arts Council England grants. The free workshop was organised in partnership with Portsmouth Creates and Portsmouth City Council.
Local photographer Karl Bailey shares his experience receiving Arts Council England funding to develop his creative practice, at the Round Tower, Old Portsmouth.
We were overjoyed that ACE South West representative, Sarah Madden, made the trip to Portsmouth especially to deliver the workshop on Develop Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grants. Attendees included Hotwalls Studios resident artists as well as over 20 other Portsmouth creatives, who gathered in the 600 year old Round Tower.
“It was great. Having someone who clearly spoke the same language as us, making it practical, easy and accessible for anyone to apply for. Also explaining clearly what not to do also really helped.” Annie Flitcroft, Ceramicist
As well as learning about the DYCP and Arts Council Project Grants we also heard from a successful grant applicant, local photographer Karl Bailey (of Pompey Darkroom) who shared his own experiences on the grant application process and how it has helped him make pivotal work.
“I never thought I’d get DYCP but I decided to try and it was a surprise when I did. It allowed me the time and access to things I otherwise wouldn’t of been able to get, it gave me new skills, connected me with new people, it changed my approach to my practice in lots of different ways and it really gave me validation as an artist, from someone who came from a working class family with zero arts background it was really special and obviously now has allowed me to transition into the project grant that I’m doing today.” Karl Bailey, Photographer
For many, this was the first time they had heard about or considered these grants that enable individual artists to make a step change in their creative practice.
But it was much more than an informational download – the Arts Council England website does a great job of that already.
This was an opportunity for creatives to also share their perspectives, ask questions, and more importantly – reflect on their own artistic journeys. Regardless of the grant application process or outcome, the consideration to make time and space for this is essential.
“It’s just the help that artists want really, and knowing what the opportunities are is half the battle. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for ages and has really helped me to clarify where I am at.Just the process of asking yourself what it is that you need to move forward, and what it is that you want from your practice was brilliant.” Ella Kilgour, Artist
“It made me feel a lot more confident to apply for this. Sarah was really personable, spoke clearly about the process and I would recommend it to anyone considering applying.” Hannah Matthews, Taxidermy Artist
Asking oneself important questions on the direction, purpose and intentionality of our art is a crucial part of the evolution of being an artist. This gathering of local creatives, each on their own journey, gave us all the opportunity to do this in a welcoming, inspiring and safe environment.
We look forward to exploring and hosting more opportunities like this that bring together and support local artists and creatives.
Stay tuned for more events – What’s On – and Sign up to our Newsletter (below)
Hotwalls Studios proudly hosts our Guest Artist Programme alongside our monthly Open Studios. This initiative offers a unique platform for local artists and creatives to showcase their talents in the inspiring setting of the Historic Round Tower. Held on the first Sunday of every month, this event is a key feature of our cultural calendar.
Each month, we have an artist join us at our monthly Open Studios. The chosen artists are given the opportunity to use a section of the Round Tower, approximately 20 square meters in size, as their studio for the day. This setting, a grade 1 listed heritage location, provides an inspiring backdrop for creativity and allows artists to engage with a diverse audience.
A significant aspect of the Guest Artist Programme is the requirement for artists to either demonstrate their work or provide a workshop activity. This emphasis on interactive and educational experiences is designed to promote the artists and their creative processes, rather than focusing primarily on sales. By engaging directly with the public, artists can build connections, share their techniques, and enhance their visibility within the community.
In the lead-up to the event, participating artists will be featured in our e-newsletters, posters, social media channels, and on our website, ensuring visibility and engagement. On the day of the Open Studios, artists have the chance to create and interact with visitors in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
The Guest Artist Programme is an excellent opportunity for artists to gain exposure, connect with art enthusiasts, and be part of our vibrant community. We encourage interested artists to apply via our website and join us in celebrating creativity at the Historic Round Tower.
Paint & Draw Atelier: From Drawing to Oil Painting
As the current six-week drawing course at Paint & Draw Atelier hits its third week, participants are reflecting upon the new skills learnt in the past weeks. Under the guidance of experienced artists Ella Kilgour and Katie Munro, students have delved into new techniques, honing their drawing skills and discovering new ways of playing with drawing.
From playful exercises exploring tone and line, to more structured sessions focusing on form, participants have embraced the opportunity to expand their approaches to drawing. Each week is bringing new challenges and insights, as Kilgour and Munro provide feedback and encouragement to help students reach their full potential.
For many, the drawing course has allowed them to break free from constraints and express themselves with newfound confidence. From beginners taking their first steps into the world of art to more experienced artists seeking to refine their skills, participants have found inspiration in the supportive and inclusive atmosphere of Paint & Draw Atelier.
Excitement is building for the next course on the horizon – the upcoming six-week oil painting course. Scheduled to begin on June 4th, this comprehensive course will provide participants with the fundamental techniques and principles needed to master the medium of oil painting.
Led by Kilgour and Munro, the oil painting course will offer participants the opportunity to explore colour mixing, brushwork, and more, in a friendly and supportive environment. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced artist looking to expand your skills, this course is sure to unlock your passion for painting and creative potential.
In a celebration of creativity and collaboration, the final weekend of April 2024 marked the unveiling of “Immerse,” an exhibition held in a cozy corner of the art world. This collaborative between ceramicist Annie Flitcroft, jeweller Charlie Leftley, and featuring drawings by Jo Evans, highlighted the depths of the ocean.
From the moment visitors stepped foot into the exhibition space, curated with meticulous attention to detail by Charlie Leftley, they were surrounded with wonder and intrigue.
Annie Flitcroft’s ceramic creations served as anchors, grounding the exhibition in the tangible beauty of the ocean’s treasures. Each piece, crafted with care and skill, captured the essence of ‘immerse’ in all its diversity and splendour.
Complementing Flitcroft’s ceramics were the creations of jeweller Charlie Leftley. Drawing inspiration from the textures of the ocean, Leftley’s jewellery shimmered, echoing the play of light on the water’s surface. Her expert curation of the exhibition space ensured that each piece was showcased to its full potential, creating a harmonious dialogue between form and function.
As visitors wandered through the exhibition, they were transported to distant shores and underwater cities – imagination ignited by the power of art. Whether admiring Flitcroft’s ceramics, Leftley’s jewellery, or Evans’ drawings, “Immerse” offered a moment of respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the wonders of the world around them.
