My piece, West Bay No.3 (Down by the Water), has been selected to be part of a new and exciting exhibition space on board a Brittany Ferry.

West Bay No.3 (Down by the Water) will do just shy of 5,000 miles travel! Brittany Ferries’ Barfleur has a capacity of 900 people, so given the number of voyages, it equates to 27,000 people – if even only half view the exhibition, that means that 13,000 people would have seen it. Here’s the official press release:

ART AHOY! DORSET EXHIBITION HELD ON CROSS-CHANNEL FERRY

FIFTEEN artists from across Dorset, including four from the Lyme Regis and Bridport area, have taken to the high seas. They are exhibiting their work on Brittany Ferries’ ship the Barfleur on the Poole to Cherbourg crossing.

Phil Clayton, who runs the Town Mill Galleries in Lyme Regis, co-curated the venture with Andrew Knutt, Culture+ business developer at The Arts Development Company.

‘It’s good experience for artists, it gives their work exposure and exhibiting work in a more unusual space helps develop their CVs,’ Phil explained.

‘We selected 15 pieces from more than 100 submissions. We’ve chosen a broad range of styles and I’m really pleased with the way they all work together in the space.’

Created through a partnership between Brittany Ferries and The Arts Development Company’s Culture+ programme, the exhibition features life studies, landscapes and abstracts of Dorset.

‘We’re always seeking ways to promote Dorset artists and get their work out there to be seen by the public,’ said Andrew Knutt.

‘This cross-Channel partnership is a fun and quirky way to “ship” art and showcase Dorset’s breadth of talent.’

The exhibition runs until the end of January and there are plans to continue at different locations later in 2018.

Brittany Ferries’ Port Operations Manager Jo Bussell added: ‘It is a pleasure to be part of this exciting arts exchange. We pride ourselves on providing the best sailing experience on our ferries and displaying Dorset artwork adds to this experience.’

Artists exhibiting on the Barfleur are Tony Kerins (Swanage), Tina Hiles (Dorchester), Sarah Jane Ross (Bridport), Judith Ryde (Wimborne), Annie Lovelass (Lulworth), Brian Matravers (Lyme Regis), Carolyn King (near Lyme Regis), Robert E. Harrison, Gilly Hopson (Winterborne Whitechurch), Rhys Cannon (Broadmayne), Graham Lindsay Towler (Wareham), Malcolm Giladjian, Maxine Walter, (Wimborne) Sharon James (Swanage), and Phil Clayton (Lyme Regis).