Art4All exhibition and open studios event to be held in Ramsgate

bethany 2 — Bethany is one of the artists who will be exhibiting work

Twelve local artists with a varied range of abilities and learning impairments will be exhibiting their work in an open studio event in Ramsgate next month.

All the artists exhibiting are part of the Sandra Art4All Art Studio, which was established by Sandra Hampton in 2016 to provide a platform for aspiring artists with special needs. Sandra launched Art4All at her Acol home when she was made redundant as a result of the closure of the Royal School for Deaf Children in Margate.

The exhibition will showcase a vibrant collection of drawings, paintings and photographs from artists with learning impairments including Autism, Charge Syndrome, Deaf and Cerebral Palsy.

Sandra has been collaborating with Xanthe Pitt and Nikki Hildesley who run the Discovery Planet based in Ramsgate town to facilitate the three-week event.

The Open Studio Art Exhibition will give opportunities for the art group to paint in the community and for the public to enjoy seeing the artist’s creating work, alongside their pop-up exhibition. It will be a great way to start discussions around art and our very different abilities, as well as demonstrate them.

The exhibition will run from Saturday 8 July to Sunday 30 July at Discovery Planet, High Street, Ramsgate and be open to the public everyday Tuesday to Sunday with an artist in residence Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during this time.

Xanthe Pitt from Discovery Planet said: “We’re delighted to offer our space to this talented group of artists, who deserve much greater visibility.”

Sandra (pictured above) said: “I believe deeply in working with small businesses in our local community. We have benefited greatly from the kindness and collaborations with several small businesses across Thanet and are looking for more spaces to display our artwork and run more Open Studios in 2024.

“We are excited for this opportunity to give our exceptional artists, who have had many works featured in the Royal Academy and Turner Contemporary, the chance to take part in an Open Studio in the heart of Ramsgate for the first time.

“The aim of the event would be to not only display their art for the enjoyment of the local and visiting community, but to help inform and start a dialogue around artists who are Deaf, Autistic and Neurodiverse.”

Among those who will be demonstrating their artistic skills are five young artists who have been selected for the Portfolio Exhibition 2023 at the Turner Contemporary, Margate.

Nessie, Dalibor, Celia, Amelia and Bethany’s group artwork, “Recycle Plastic Heart” will be on display throughout the summer until 10th September as a part of the Rise Up, Clean Up summer show at Turner Contemporary.

Celia has also had work selected to be part of the Royal Academy London’s Young Artist Summer Show 2023, which is running from 18 July to 13 August.

Out of more than 20,000 entries, seventeen-year-old Celia’s work “My Diary” was selected to be a part of the 280 pieces at the prestigious exhibition.

Sandra said: “I am extremely proud of our Young Artists and I am very excited to attend the private view with Celia and her family at the Royal Academy at the start of July.

“To work with such talent and unique individuals is a privilege and I am proud of the recognition our wonderful young artists are receiving.”

All of the artwork produced during the three-week event in Ramsgate will be a part of the Art4All annual summer Show taking place at The Margate School in Margate High Street from 17 August – 31 August. Private View will be on Thursday 17 August 4pm -8pm.

All funds from the pieces sold will be folded back into supporting the artists and the artists are paid a share of the profits.