A unique year-long exhibition and showcase of modern British art will launch at The Alexander Centre in Faversham from May

SImon Ashmore - @**simonashmore.artist**

A unique year-long exhibition and showcase of modern British art will launch at The Alexander Centre in Faversham from May, marking its 10-year anniversary as a Community Interest Company.

The concept of using the space to house an exhibition of modern British artists was conceived seven years ago. The fully restored public rooms provide an opportunity for artists to showcase their work to the local community and visitors from surrounding areas.

This year’s Alexander collection will feature prestigious works from five nationally and internationally known artists;

Simon Ashmore, is a photographer that uses both analogue and digital technique to create expressive, oftenabstract images. Simon forged his early career as a documentary photographer working in East London. Hisdebut book ‘I Am Not The Rain’ was published in January 2022.

David Hayward, studied at the Royal College of Art Canterbury School of Art and Architecture and CheltenhamCollege of Art & Design. He works full time from his studio in Chilham and has private collections globally.

Estelle Jourd, is inspired by the sea and sky of the North Kent coast where she has lived most of her life. Her oilpaintings are manifestations of emotions and experiences. Alongside her canvas work she experiments withsculpture and working with tactile surfaces.

Jeff Lowe, is internationally renown for his large scale sculptures but for The Collection he will showcase an editof paintings. Jeff lives between Kent and the Algarve and is represented by Pangolian London.

Gabrielle Nesfield, is a painter who lives locally and has exhibited in and around Canterbury, including a majorexhibition at The University of Kent in 2017.

Pim Baxter OBE, is Patron of The Alexander Collection. She said: “I am delighted to see such a wide range of art on display in The Alexander Centre. I have enjoyed working with the organisers to help choose this year’s painters and photographers, and select the final works for the exhibition. Giving artists the opportunity to be shown at The Alexander Centre, as well as creating an artistic ambiance for those using the building, is a clever use of the space and an asset for the community”

To mark The Alexander Centre’s ten year anniversary, there will be holding a community art competition. The Alex Art Prize is designed to bring together and celebrate the wealth of artistic talent that Faversham and surrounding areas has to offer.

Whether undiscovered, emerging or established the The Alex Art Prize will give one local artist the opportunity to have their work displayed for a year, alongside The Alexander Collection. Entries are to be submitted digitally by 28th April 2022 and the winning artwork will be decided by our esteemed panel of judges and revealed at the Private View on May 20th.

2022 marks the ten year anniversary of The Alexander Centre as a CIC and its dedication to continuing to develop its role as a vibrant community, arts and business centre. Offering a wide programme of events, activities and festivals, as well as providing serviced office accommodation to a variety of local businesses and entrepreneurs. It is run as a non-profit making Community Interest Company by a group of volunteer board members and directors, who oversee a team of permanent staff.

For more information visit https://thealex.org.uk/