Portsmouth artists blown away by city's support of effort to brighten 'awful' billboards

People from across Portsmouth rallied to raise £3,000 to fund an effort seeking to plaster uplifting pieces of art on five empty billboards in Fratton.

And to celebrate the success of the campaign, organisers staged a weekend-long event to meet their supporters and thank them in person.

Held at a studio in Highland Road, Southsea, the event saw about 60 people visiting to collect prints of the art used on the billboards.

Graphic designer Annabel Innes co-ordinated the project to transform the billboards along Goldsmith Avenue, with the help of 15 local artists.

She said: ‘It’s been great having the opportunity to see people and say thanks to them in person.’

Among the first artists to be exhibited included graffiti artist Mark Jones, aka Fark, artist Harry Roberts, and Petting Zoo Prints owner Spencer Hunt.

Mark, who was handing out gifts to the crowdfunding supporters over the weekend, said he was blown away by the support.

‘It’s been absolutely amazing,’ he said. ‘If it wasn’t for these people then the project would have never have happened.

‘I’m just very grateful for everybody who contributed. It’s fantastic.’

Among those collecting their reward was mum-of-one Charlotte Harding, of Southsea.

The 34-year-old donated £10 and collected a print from Petting Zoo - an artist who she already has a couple of pieces by.

Charlotte said: ‘It’s important to support local artists also I think that it boosts morale for people in the city because the empty billboards look awful.’

Charlotte’s 35-year-old husband Denis is a nurse at Queen Alexandra Hospital and said his spirits had been lifted by the project.

‘It makes me feel really good knowing how the community has come together to support the Portsmouth hospitals,’ he added.

Off the back of the campaign’s success, Annabel has launched a new online shop to promote Portsmouth’s top artistic talent.

Launching this week on www.sometimes.shop, the new store features prints, unique sculptures and a variety of one-of-a-kind designs.

Annabel added: ‘There was such a demand for prints, T-shirts and other things that we have now set up an online shop that will be launching at the beginning of the week. It’s been really overwhelming.’

To support the kickstarting arts campaign, see kickstarter.com/projects/covid19artads/covid-19-art-ads.

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