ArtSway

Early in the 1990's a group of local artists were using an abandoned old coach house and stables behind a nearby pub/hotel as studios. They had a vision for a high quality gallery. With the support of local people, business and authorities (New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council) ArtSway was developed with major funding from Arts Council England funded by National Lottery, Foundation for Sports & the Arts. Architect Tony Fretton (Lisson Gallery, London; Quay Arts, IOW; Camden Arts Centre, London, British Embassy, Warsaw, Munch Museum, Norway) was employed to design the redevelopment of the gallery, grounds and studios.

The gallery opened in January 1997 and is best know for commissioning artists to make new work in a unique rural place and encouraging artists to test themselves and their practice. ArtSway has shown a selection of well-known and emerging artists over the years, including Frank Bowling, Anna Best, Richard Billingham, Anne Hardy, Jamie Shovlin, Nathaniel Mellors, Eamon O’Kane, Dinu Li, Jordan Baseman, Christopher Orr, Alex Frost and Gayle Chong Kwan. ArtSway works in partnership with a range of other arts institutions, most recently, the Arts University College at Bournemouth, The Photographers’ Gallery, London, Oriel Davies Gallery, Wales, Autograph ABP and Stour Valley Arts. ArtSway works locally and globally, having re-presented commissioned art work at the Venice Biennale since 2005.

Complementing ArtSway's exhibition residency and commissioning programme, is: a high quality craft offer from local and regional makers; talks by exhibiting artists and professionals from a range of fields; ArtSway Connects, a programme of artist development opportunities such as portfolio reviews; ArtSway Associates which provides legacy support for ten artists who have previously undertaken residencies at ArtSway; a wide range of creative participation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities; off-site projects with schools, colleges and those at risk of exclusion.

ArtSway is regularly funded by Arts Council England, Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council. ArtSway currently receives additional funding from Ernest Cooke Trust, The Leverhulme Trust (ArtSway Associates), a range of project funding from various sources, and other trusts and foundations that wish to remain anonymous.

ArtSway and the Arts University College at Bournemouth support each other’s work through a strategic partnership.