Suddenly this wonderful mural appears … marking the
building’s tenth anniversary, when the new Towner art gallery opened.
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| On the west side looking north towards the admin buildings of Devonshire Park - painting still in progress |
More
views and details to follow.
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| Manor House in Gildredge Park |
The collections had previously been housed in Manor
Gardens …
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| The Towner before the mural |
... and were moved to their new home in this purpose built facility - adjacent
to theatreland – a ball-boy’s throw to the seafront, and overlooking Devonshire
Park …
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| Looking west - the Downs just visible in the background (front of Congress Theatre and Welcome building - both revamped this year; Eastbourne College (school) the white building in the middle of the photo - part of their new extensions visible here. |
I’m showing some views of the preparations for the
pre-Wimbledon tennis tournament - that’s held here every year … with some
annotations …
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| Taken from the school's wall - looking east ... and back entrances to Theatre and Gallery |
I met the Muralist from the London Mural Company, who
was painting the design …
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| Back of gallery and theatre - the mural is a wrap-around (How they did it will be interesting to find out - architecturally it's an interesting building |
... and in two week’s there’s a talk by the
artist/designer, so I’ll be giving you an update ...
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| Green green grass of home - mowing preparations before Park is transformed for the tennis |
… and letting you know some ‘funny’
stories that have come about …
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| Preparations almost ready - this was the 20th (taken from the Art Gallery's cafe area) |
The photos are mine – the professional ones of the
Gallery I'll post shortly; we've had reasonable and good weather: interspersed this week with some mega storms - Wednesday we had over 1,000 lightning strikes – it
was impressive! Mind you I slept through most of it!
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| View towards seafront beyond the trees (the south end of Carlisle Road ... I call the road diagonal alley) |
I now hope the rain has left for Spain … and we have a
beautiful three weeks of English lawn tennis … strawberries and cream,
sunshine, as well as excellent sport …
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| Back of the theatre complex - listed buildings (far left the Victorian Devonshire Park and Winter Garden with the modern Congress Theatre, 'against' which the Towner Art Gallery was built ten years ago) |
Have very happy 2019 summers everyone … on this the
longest day of the year …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Inspirational Stories
38 comments:
Shortest day here.
Thank you so much for these intriguing snippets. I am looking forward (big time) to learning more.
The mural is an excellent addition, Hilary. I too am hoping for good weather for you; strawberries and cream in bright sunshine sounds quite idyllic - and very British. There is a small town near here called New Dundee and I met a friend there for lunch yesterday in a wonderful old emporium, and I am told that they serve a wonder English tea of scones and clotted cream. I will have to try it sometime. The lunch by the way was excellent.
I hope the works of art inside the gallery are as impressive as the mural outside! The thundery weather didn't reach up as far as here - unless I slept through it too.
Hari OM
All I know is all that rain has interfered with the Queens Club tennis this week - so I hope it doesn't do that too much over the next few weeks!!! At least Wimbles now has the advantage of rooves on the major courts. Looking forward to your further report on the art gallery. The mural is impressive! YAM xx
Hi Hilary! That mural is absolutely beautiful! So vibrant and alive. My work had a "pop up" mural too. An artist from Israel came and painted one on the wall that faces a classroom so the children would be able to see it. It's so amazing to see out our window too. I love it!
Elsie
Looks like the town is putting on its best finery. Looking good. I love Wimbledon and I'll root for Roger - he's just the epitome of all that's graceful in tennis whites.
Today - summer solstice - would have been my mother's 87th birthday. Sigh.
Cheers to you and I hope the weather stays comfortable. We have hit the heat wall in TX.
You really do get to see the best things over there! That mural was awesome - just makes you feel good to see it. It is raining here in Georgia too.
That is a beautiful mural! And there is much for you to look forward to, Hilary. Here's hoping the weather cooperates. Happy first day of summer!
The mural really makes the building stand out. That's grand the artist is giving a talk soon.
@ EC - I'm not keen on 'the shortest day' - just enjoying our long ones at the moment. Lots of interest and fun to tell you about ...
@ David - I know ... when I first saw it I thought 'whoa' ... but it was still being painted (by numbers!!). Lovely weather at the moment ... might go down and see some tennis early this evening - Queen's is still going on. Just had some strawberries and cream ... a very happy mid afternnon 'snack' while I watch some tennis on the tv!
Your 'old emporium' in New Dundee sounds quite delightful ... well that's a good idea - especially if you can get clotted cream to go with the scones ... I must get some to go with the strawberries or raspberries I intend to have in the next few weeks! It sounds like a wonderful place to have a good lunch in - especially with a friend.
@ John - yes the art gallery has some special art works - and can now exhibit them more easily in the specially designed spaces. I'll write about that too ...
The mural is fantastic - while for once you escape the thundery weather - we haven't had much rain 'til this last week ... glad you're able to sleep through your storms ...
@ Yam - yes, the rain at Queens has been a nuisance - just hope it eases off now. Two roofs at Wimbledon will be great for the tennis - though I did enjoy the replays the Beeb gave us ... The Towner is special - made more so by the mural: it is special.
@ Elsie - the mural is special and bounces off the building at us - on three sides ... and is certainly vibrant. I'll be over to see your recent post ...
@ Joanne - it's interesting having missed last year - so two years' later ... I'm seeing Eastbourne upping its game - not least with the security aspects ....
Lovely day for your Mama to have enjoyed her birthday over her many years ... and yes: sigh - as it's this time of year my Mama left us a few years ago.
I hope the weather improves a little - but I really don't want to fry! - so TX weather wouldn't do me any good ... my delicate English skin?!
@ Sandie - the Gallery is about quarter of a mile away ... and yes I walk past often - just admiring the mural. Pity about your rain - I hope we've had ours for a few weeks ...
@ Debbie - the mural is awe-inspiring ... I'm looking forward to finding out more about it - as what I call it ... and it is called are slightly different! It's a good first day of summer ...
@ Diane - the mural certainly makes us all stop and stare. I'm looking forward to meeting the designer/artist and also I hope the artist from the London Mural Company, who converted the design into the mural, will be down too ... there's things I'd like to understand in its creation ...
Thanks so much everyone - glad you all like 'my'!! mural - second and third posts to follow ... so glad you've enjoyed seeing the mural - cheers for now - Hilary
Love that mural, very attractive, The weather here has been horrible so hope it is now better for you. June and we have had the heating on at various times - unheard of!!!
Have a good weekend, Diane
Fabulously colourful mural! Hope the tennis goes well and doesn’t get washed out. I’ll be following along.
I can't wait to here more. It's been rainy here too, but I don't mind, so long as I'm inside. ;) Now it's just plain hot...which I really don't mind either. I like heat better than cold!!
Ah, yes, cricket and Wimbledon, Britain's two foolproof rain-making ceremonies. The phenomenon still baffles scientists :) And that is one cool mural. I don't usually go for abstract stuff but that is striking and cheerful.
I do hope you have lovely weather! Love the photos...that mural is wonderful!
@ Diane - the mural is wonderful ... just shines out. I gather you've been having torrential rain ... stunning clear skies and red dawn at 4.30 am here ... now 7.30 the clouds are back!
@ Anabel - isn't it wonderful ... I'm so looking forward to hearing how he designed it. Yesterday the tennis was good - as you probably heard they played on til sunset (+/-9.30 pm) last night at Queens ... here it was beautiful too.
@ Rosey - finding out more about the architecture of the building as well as the design will make for a fascinating talk. Actually I need weather of less extremes ... I'm happy being back in England ... too hot is awful, too cold I loathe ...
@ Ian - cricket and tennis ... and English players ... let's hope they all perform better than they are now ... as is usual - the Brits are falling by the wayside - but Murrays x 2 are in their winning ways. Why it rains over our sporting summer must make people and scientists wonder ... keeps us guessing!
The mural is just brilliant isn't it - abstract ... but so striking as it's three sided.
@ Betsy - oh so do I ... long may lovely weather last for a few weeks - a bit of rain is fine, but let's have most sport playable times - I hope! Thanks re the photos ... random - but getting some idea of the mural.
Cheers to you all - that mural just stands out in and around all the tennis branding paraphernalia ... pluffy clouds today - let's hope it stays this way - enjoy your days and thanks for being here - Hilary
Love the mural - all bright optimism! Hope your weather stays clear and perfect and you get to enjoy all manner of delights.
I am fascinated by that mural, have seen similar things over here. They are bright and attract attention.
Hope the tennis gets good weather. Been a tad better here lately.
I love the passion I see in that mural. Art and music give us that like none other. It's what I'd love to reveal in my writing.
A fabulous mural and that lawn is gorgeous. And you do know I sang England's praises in a recent post about the very English woman and her marvelous gardens. Plural, yes, because they went on and on. Not much of a light summer night here, but I did make a point of watching my DVD of Ingmar Bergman's Smiles of a Summer Night last night. Enjoyed it!
What a fascinating and eye-catching mural. I am a fan of tennis and look forward to watching Wimbledon. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to learning even more in your upcoming post. :) Happy summer!
~Jess
Hi-ya, Hilary.
I saw in one of your response comments that the mural was painted "by number." How cool is that? I've seen the final products of numerous street murals, but never the how-they-did-it part. That would've been fascinating to watch.
It's hard to believe it's summer already, isn't it? Let's hope it's a good one for all of us.
Cheers!
@ Deborah - isn't the mural wonderful ... I'm looking forward to finding out more about it. So far the tennis at Queens has been great fun - but the weather forecast isn't too brilliant - lots of heat with storms!
@ Jo - This designer, abstract artist, Lothar Gotz is very creative ... so I am looking forward to finding out more. It is certainly drawing people's attention to Eastbourne.
I sincerely hope the English summer isn't washed out!
@ Jacqui - wonderful comment ... art and music let those talented creative people show us so many different aspects to this world ... I can quite see how you'd love to reveal these sides of early peoples into your writings ...
@ Inger - yes I did note the brilliant way you delighted in your English lady's garden in California ... loved reading it - as I know how much you loved your time here in England - before you moved on your way to the States. I'm so pleased you'll be able to get out to see her gardens as regularly as possible.
I haven't seen your film: Smiles of a Summer Night - now I'll keep an eye open and watch it at some stage. The plot sounds delightful - one of those fun comedies ... thanks for letting me/us know about it ...
@ Jess - glad you'll be enjoying Wimbledon with us. That mural really takes its place when one visits the theatre area and Devonshire Park - where our pre-Wimbledon tennis tournament is happening ...
@ Susan - yes a number was in one of the polygons ... but I couldn't see it when I posted the photos - I need to find it! One of the things I want to find out is how they 'make' these murals and I'm looking forward to learning how this mural with all its architectural challenges was designed. So I hope I'll have a lot of information to tell you about.
I know - summer really hasn't happened - we had some in February and another short period in April (I think!) ... and yes - let's hope we have a successful and peaceful summer ahead.
Thanks everyone for your delightful comments - I hope I'll be able to enlighten you about the mural, and its coming about ... cheers Hilary
And a very happy summer to you too, Hilary. The tennis always reminds me of my mum, for whom life stood still while it was on!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two days of tennis - more booked later in the week! The mural does indeed look stunning; I had a wander around the gallery on Friday. This week was always the busiest of the year for my bistro over the road - happy days! As for that storm, I stood on my balcony for an hour watching in awe! Have a great week Hilary.
It amazes me when you get rain for Wimbeldon. In my area, we don't get rain in the summer. I think I can count on one hand the number of rain days we've gotten in the summer... in my lifetime.
That is a wonderful mural!
This was beautiful Hilary. Thanks for the beautiful mini tour. And enjoy your summer. We just got our first taste of summer this weekend. Finally! :)
The rain in Spain moved here to Minnesota and much of our fields are now under water...:(
@ Mike - yes I almost fall into that category ... Wimbledon and Queens are here ... and this week Eastbourne - lots of tennis ... I'll watch some - but your mother sounds like a lady after my own heart!
@ Keith - that's great you've been over - and will be here to watch more. I haven't got tickets ... but see there's lots of tv coverage - so I'll be lazy and see some. I was around on Friday. I bet your bistro was busy ... it's just so central - wish I'd known about it in those days. That storm with the view you had must have been amazing to watch - incredible viewing ...
@ Liz - weather conditions have always interested me ... little old England! Summer doesn't always herald high temperatures and storms here ... but this year is one of those. California is slightly different being on a continent - I think I prefer our weather here - though love visiting CA ...
@ Sandra - the mural is pretty special.
@ Debby - another mini tour on its way ... it's surprising how Devonshire Park fills up with tennis paraphernalia. So glad the summer has arrived in the Canada/Toronto area ...
@ Ray - I gather the rain from Spain is with you in Minnesota - that flooding looks to be devastating ... I just hope it recovers ...
Thanks everyone for visiting and commenting ... great to see you - cheers Hilary
Late to the party but every bit as intrigued by the mural as the rest. It'll be interesting to hear how they came up with that design, for that design, if you get what I mean...
Such beautiful colors on the mural. It does quickly draw your attention to the building. Looking forward to more details.
I guess Eastbourne gets pretty crowded when the tennis is on. Must be a lovely atmosphere.
Nice mural! I love the colors and the shape of it.
Your photos are beautiful, Hilary. It looks like you have beautiful weather in your photos. I LOVE the color of the new artwork on the building. It always amazes me how they paint it so neatly, in smooth lines. I could never make it so perfect-looking. All best to you!
@ Jz - the mural really does stand out ... and I too am looking forward to hearing how it was conceived and then executed.
@ Mason - the colours are interesting ... I hope we'll be told how they were decided upon. The mural makes everything else seem almost dull!
@ Janice - gosh it is packed ... and where once one could wander in - no more: we need tickets and then there's the security. At least people are coming to the town ...
@ Chrys - the building is of an interesting design ... so the mural needed to work across the original white facade.
@ Victoria - the weather is meant to be better than it is now ... but the wind has got up and that will blow the drizzle away - the wet courts - not sure about those. I thought we'd have had storms last night ... but it was calm.
I must check with the mural director - how they were so accurate keeping within the lines ...
Thanks so much to you all ... always lots of questions you either give me, or I think about ... so I hope I can answer some of these once I've been to the talk.
Cheers from a damp drizzly Eastbourne ... I hope it clears soon so the tennis can get going ... Hilary
That's awesome that you asked to take a picture of his socks. I like that he chose a colorful pair. Glad that splotch got repaired, that guys' dungarees are definitely used to paint. ;) Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Rosey - you have to be brazen occasionally ... I've no idea who he was - but his choice of socks that morning was very appropriate as he was visiting the Gallery!
I was pleased to catch the London Mural Company director while he was repairing the damaged art work ... yup - they're good painter's dungarees aren't they.
I'm off to the tennis finals today - surprise tickets coming my way for yesterday (wonderful) and today: when I'll be down watching again ...
It's fun taking opportunities when I can ... delighted you enjoyed the encounter and its portrayal! Cheers Hilary
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