19th May 2026: Festival Of Cats Exhibition
Every two years a ‘Festival of Cats’ event is held in Margate, on the south-eastern coast of England. Quite right that there should be a festival to celebrate the-best-animal-in-the-world =^._.^=! As well as a physical gallery exhibition of cat artwork and various cat-themed activities to take place over the bank holiday weekend, for the first time the team held an open call for cat art to be displayed in an online extension of the festival to be available to those further away. And this was an opportunity I felt I really ought to have a crack at. I hoped to get a look in, but in a way I didn’t really expect to be chosen – and so to my very pleasant surprise I was one of the nearly-700 applicants (online and physical entries) to be picked, with my two submissions both to be included in the exhibition! Celebrating cats – what an honour to be a part of this event and so pleasing that my pieces were liked enough (thank you!). To be at the physical festival in sunny Margate would have been super, of course, (maybe a visit next time?), but for financial and travel reasons, an online exhibition suited me just fine.
With such a variety of cat artwork, it is/was well worth a look! Browse and enjoy. I’ve really enjoyed looking through the gallery several times 😀 .
This exhibition was expected to last as long as the in-person exhibition, from May 1st – 4th, but the exhibition was in fact extended to the end of May. So if you happen to see this blog before the month is out, and you are interested in lots more colourful cat art and more about the festival itself, please visit www. festivalofcats. com !
Published 19th May 2025
19th March 2025: Folk For Folk Exhibition
I wanted to start my blog with thoughts and images on an exhibition I was part of last year.
As part of the MA Illustration course at Gloucestershire University I was fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute towards the National Waterways Museum’s upcoming exhibition, entitled ‘Folk For Folk’, a celebration of the creative work of the narrowboat communities, often under-appreciated in days gone by. As a group, it was decided to create some kind of screen-printed banners to hang down along one side of the exhibition space. Inspired by the collection of decorated folk objects at the museum, my personal banner leaned into such everyday objects as the water vessels – namely dippers and watering cans. To suit the screen-print process, colours would be limited down and decoration simplified, but I do hope I was able to give some idea of the sort of imagery and patterning designed on their items. Screen-printing was a very unfamiliar process for me and a lot was tackled and learnt along the way.
As to the exhibition itself, well it was a lovely opportunity to get my work out there and as part of a collaborative effort. A museum is a great place to display work and I am highly appreciative of the Waterways Museum and all those individuals that helped make it happen! The opening night made it to the local news and I believe I even appeared in shot (not intentionally!). There was a combination of artwork on display created by various local groups, great to see each person’s interpretations on the theme. The exhibition also got extended 🙂.
Banners, not satisfied with their display extent at the Waterways, later found themselves hanging at the impressive buildings of the Folk of Gloucester, the former Folk Museum, as part of the ‘Threads/Voices’ exhibition and trail in Gloucester city. Also lovely to see our banners displayed there.
Fab opportunity and experience! 👍
Published 19th March 2025