Join us at Graft Studios as we celebrate the finale of the Sandown Scribe project.
Come and explore a unique, unflinchingly honest portrait of the town. The exhibition is anchored by Boojum & Snark’s summer writer-in-residence Anmarie Bowler, who penned five original stories inspired by Sandown, including We Are The Tide Turners, inspired by the Town of Culture’s WhatsApp Group.
“Long before the Fire Era, it seems Sandown was the home of a glass blower who made thousands of bottles”
Extract from The Wisdom of Blown Glass by Anmarie Bowler
Alongside Anmarie’s flash fiction is Sandown Refocused, a thought-provoking collection of photographs by fine art photographer Zoë Barker, which captures an unfiltered look at the town’s urban landscape.
Sandown Refocused / Zoë Barker
“I was anxious that the resulting images would only reinforce the ‘poor old Sandown’ narrative. But as I began my photographic journey, I discovered something unexpected. There always seemed to be something positive and beautiful within the frame, no matter what the subject.”
Zoë Barker
Sandown Close-UP / Simon Avery
Another angle comes from a powerful community black-and-white portrait series by photographer and curator Simon Avery. Nodding to the Victorian carte de visite style, Simon puts Sandown’s real workers and residents front and centre, celebrating the town’s human heart. Thank you to artist Teresa Grimaldi for painting the backdrop.
Using an iPhone and natural light, he collected portraits of our extraordinary town. Each session lasted only a matter of moments but during this time stories were revealed.
I make my own clothes Bang my own drum Extend habitat Cradle young I clean up after you Struggle sometimes Swim for fun Devour books Bake bread for everyone
Many faces, different lives, one town.
Radio Free Sandown /
At 7.30pm there will be a performance of Radio Free Sandown: Radio Free Sandown is a merry, pointed lark; part homage to Sandown tourist Lewis Carroll, part love letter to a here-and-now town. Created as an open-source script for the Sandown Scribe project, the original writers intend to grow this work in progress, gathering keen collaborators along the way. Join them. You are urged to read the script aloud, perform it at a kitchen table or in a shady garden with family and friends. The writers responsible for this pilot episode are Anmarie Bowler, Annys Brady, Tim Martin, Emma Souter and Katie Stone.
CHARLIE Calling all vessels, all vessels, all vessels. On pier frequency 67.8, I’m your late-night host Charlie Dodgson. This is Radio Free Sandown with tonight’s sea state and current forecast for Sandown Bay. Wind is NORTH WEST, FORCE 2. Weather is FAIR and the sea state is SLIGHT. The tide is TURNING. The moon is high, the skies are clear and the ocean remembers.
SANDOWN TROVE EXHIBITION
Sandown Trove will be on display: Where: Graft Studios, The Old Town Hall Grafton Street Sandown PO36 8JJ When: Monday 9 – Saturday 14 November Times: 11am – 4pm Before going to Sandown Library and the Broadway Center.
TIDE TURNERS KINSHIP GATHERING
This evening is also the Kinship Gathering for the Town of Culture. This is your chance to share your ideas, hopes, and dreams for Sandown before we write the application for submission at the end of November. Come and hear updates on the campaign, participate in workshops and spend time with your community. Refreshments will be available.
Event Details:
When: Thursday, 5 November | 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Where: GRAFT Studios, The North Wing, The Old Town Hall, Grafton Street, Sandown, PO36 8JJ
