We are proud to announce our Summer Creative Market, on Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July. Hotwalls welcomes both market traders and the public to the iconic Parade Ground here in Old Portsmouth.
Summer 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!
Photography on display at The Windbreaks art gallery
The new art installation on Southsea seafront has been refreshed with photography by two local artists Olana Light and Maria de la O Garrido.
For this second wave of artists to have their work featured in this public art gallery space, the curatorial team chose two photographic-based artists whose work really complements each other.
On the seaward side of the panels is the work of Spanish artist Maria de la O Garrido, entitled ‘Suddenly the Sea’. On the landward facing side is the work of Olana Light, featuring self-portrait photographs from her project ‘Searching for a Place to Belong’. Each body of work connects with the relationships between identity and place.
This round of art will be on display for the next four months until the end of July 2025. Hotwalls Studios will be managing an open call for the next round of art to be displayed at The Windbreaks.
For more information about The Windbreaks please visit the dedicated page – where you can also see previous exhibiting artists like Emily Faludy.
The Windbreaks is part of the Portsmouth City Council’s Seafront arts programme that recently brought the poet laureate Simon Armitage to the city to install a new poem – you can also read more about this in the Portsmouth News.
A fond farewell to Charlie Leftley
After six eventful years we say goodbye to jeweller Charlie Leftley who leaves Hotwalls Studios next month. Sunday 26th January will be her last trading day in the studio.
Charlie has taken part in multiple group show exhibitions during her tenancy of Studio 5, both at the historic Round Tower as well as further afield – taking part in regular MADE fairs, the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, and group shows in Colchester and Chichester.
These group shows have helped to push her creativity forward and in 2024 Charlie teamed up with ceramicist Annie Flitcroft to host an exhibition in the Round Tower. This collaboration re-awakened her love of experimenting and desire to focus on art and sculptural jewellery.
“It’s a trust process”
Reflecting on her practice, Charlie says that there’s a lot of trust that goes into jewellery making. Having her own studio space has allowed her to build connections with her customers and develop a loyal customer base that we hope will continue to connect with Charlie and her work.
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.
