Portsmouth artists get cash boost and chance to brighten up city

Watercolour painting, digital posters and photographs will be just some of the art that will appear around Portsmouth in a few weeks time thanks to the ‘We Believe’ project from Portsmouth Creates.

Twenty emerging artists, who were unable to receive financial support from the government, have been given £500 micro-commissions and the pieces will fill outdoor poster boards to create art trails along the seafront and in the north of the city.

Clarke Reynolds is one of the artists taking part in the project, which is seeking to crowdfund £10,000 – although it is hoped the scheme will be considered for a council grant.

The 39-year-old, who is registered as severely sighted, said: ‘I was so excited but nervous to be picked for the project as it is the biggest thing I have done and there are some really established artists in the line-up.

‘My piece is listing all the unsung heroes like teachers, nurses and shop workers but it will be in Braille and in a rainbow colour.

‘I learnt Braille last year and I want to bring in my experience of being visually impaired into my work and highlight it.

A number of local businesses have already contributed to the project, including Victorious Festivals, Coffee Cabin, TJ Waste, Vespasian Security and Harbourside Windows and Conservatories.

Project leader Billie Coe said: ‘This is a chance for artists who aren’t so well known in the city to have the opportunity to showcase their work and get a bit of financial help at a difficult time.

‘There are so many different artists that we have who are interpreting the brief of expressions of hope & optimism for our city beyond Covid -19 in so many different ways and we think an art trail will be a burst of colour for the city.

The full list of artists taking part are Angela Chick, Anne Shaw, Ben Courtney, Clarke Reynolds, Georgia De Buriatte, Harry Murr, James Sharp, Jeannie Driver, Joe Munro, Jon Adams, Kate Street, Kevin Dean, Kirstie Marie Banks, Mark Persaud, Mataio Dean, Michael Mackenzie, Ryan Dodd, Sasha Damjanovic, Spencer Hunt and William Sutton.

To donate visit crowdfunder.co.uk/we-believe

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