An artist who has grown her business in Broadstairs since moving to the UK in 2012 has now teamed up with The Royal Albion Hotel for a new project.
Lana Arkhi is the owner of Kent Talents Arts Centre which moved to larger premises in Albion Street in May.
The gallery, which also hosts visiting artists, poetry and music events, workshops and art classes, will now expand exhibitions, private view receptions and art sessions to the Shepherd Neame pub.
Lana, who is a member of The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers, said: ““I am really excited to expand my exhibition area. The larger premises and beautiful interiors of the Albion Hotel give me the fabulous opportunity to showcase my larger artworks.
“My art classes are getting more and more popular. The new venue will allow me to offer workshops and art sessions for local people and visitors of Broadstairs.”
Albion Hotel general manager Marc Duvauchelle, who took on his role in December last year, said: “This partnership not only benefits the artists by providing them with a platform to display their work but also adds cultural value to the hotel and enhances the overall experience for hotel guests.”
The first exhibition “The Eyes That Speak Volumes” will showcase the portraits of famous rock and pop stars, created by Lana.
A private view on October 1 at 4pm will include a piano performance by talented musician Svetlana Higgins. The exhibition will remain in place until November 1.
Lana, who was born in Volgograd – formerly known as Stalingrad – graduated from Vladimir Art College in 1987, where she specialised in painting large murals in various cities across the former USSR, She then moved to Moscow to expand her creativity.
In 1989, during Perestroika (the major reformation of Russia since the revolution), she started working and concentrating on ceramic art, painting and producing traditional Russian porcelain called “Gzhel”. During that period in 1991, she also graduated from the Moscow University of Lenin, where she had been studying both arts and crafts.
During 1994 to 2000 she worked in the studio of Lyudmila Azarova, a renowned Russian ceramic artist and sculptor. That led to opening her own porcelain studio in 2000, where she created her first big porcelain collection, called “The City”.
In 2012 she moved to England and now lives in Broadstairs. Many of her works have been sold to private collections across the world, including the UK, Russia, Australia, the USA, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Israel, France, Germany, Austria and Ireland.
