Local art....

Where can you see local art in Tonbridge? I only say this because I've just had an interesting conversation with an artist in my shop and we got talking about what inspires an artist to draw or paint or take photos. She came in looking for some books which would strike a chord or spark something off. In Mr. Books I've always displayed a small selection of work of local artists and at the moment there's a very eye-catching and unusual limited print by Christine Highland of an abstract map of Tonbridge town centre (or at least inspired by a map of the centre- you know how these arty types think!) I rather like it and I'm thinking of buying the original from her to have on my wall at home. Other places that I know of where they regularly hold exhibitions of local art are the Castle, in the old council chamber room; below the castle there's the annual Art on the Railings which is exactly what it says with very varied work displayed along the river and organised by local group the Platonic Artists. Then there are the more unusual venues such as Retro 66 barbers who show the work from the girls of Hillview school quite often. In fact I believe they have an exhibiton of Sixties-inspired art coming up either this weekend or next. There's also that pine furniture and framers shop, Arcadia, on Quarry Hill Parade who display some rather nice abstract art by Wendy Asprey among others; and I think that Antonias may still have some abstract work on their walls which is also for sale. There must be other places....