Towner Gallery
Latest Reviews
A couple of amazing exhibitions this month , along with free activities for under 5s on Tuesdays throughout the summer holidays. This gallery has a spacious feel and a wonderful view of the tennis ground.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Loved this modern gallery free and full of lovely work.
A modern art space in sleepy Eastbourne.
Great cafe too
A modern art space in sleepy Eastbourne.
Great cafe too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Towner always offers a worthwhile diversio, especially if the weather in Eastbourne is bad. Admission to this clean and stylish modern gallery - set on three different levels - is free. The gallery organises a dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions so there is usually something new and thought-provoking to see. Be prepared to be surprised. During my recent visit I encountered an eclectic series of engaging installations headed 'Some are Nights Others Stars'; a David Bomberg retrospecive which was informative and well curated, and the 'East Sussex Open' - a showcase of arts and crafts talents representative of the Sussex creative community. Of all the exhibits, the more 'traditional' paintings and prints by Eric Ravilious seemed to be attracting the most attention from the mainly 'mature' gallery visitors. Looking at the the large list of art-related activities offered for children and young people during the long Summer holiday, the Towner is clearly doing its bit to encourage younger audiences to get 'hands on' with art experimentation and appreciation. The galleries were clean, well-maintained, and staffed by pleasant security staff in casual clothes who were pro-active in welcoming and chatting with visitors. The Towner has clean public toilets, a cafe with a view and an impressive smallish shop offering a good range of relevant quality art books and art materials. Probably not a gallery for the 'fish and chip' brigade in search of famous Old Master paintings, but definitely a cultural oasis for the discerning and the naturally art-curious. Worth a trip out from the Metropolis see the special exhibitions.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A range of interesting exhibitions as well as a permanent collection in a stylish setting. Great cafe with good views.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I'm always inspired by the exhibitions here. With three floors they curate a great mix of contemporary and more traditional work.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
modern gallery on several floors with lift if required. differing artistic styles on view and a good cafe with a view of the tennis if it happens to be on!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's free so I can't complain too much, but it is a very average little gallery and didn't really hold my interest for long. I'm normally one to spend hours in museums and galleries but I found I only lasted around 20 minutes here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We took the children here for one of the Arts and Crafts saturdays, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it, the staff are lovely, and the cafe was great, very nice coffee and smoothies, thank you we will be back
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very good David Bomberg exhibition with later paintings that we had not seen before and an interesting Eric Ravilious. room.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's a nice small gallery, sadly part of it was closed as they were preparing for a new exhibition but still what was open to the public was interesting. The staff was very, very friendly, polite and helpful. It's free entry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Something for everyone at this gorgeous gallery. Challenging modern exhibitions and on the first floor a superb collection of more traditional paintings and artworks. Beautifully curated and stunning lighting throughout. Simply lovely experience.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Years since I visited and now it has a new site overlooking the tennis. The gallery is well laid out and the staff very helpful. The exhibitions obviously vary, so it depends on what you like.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent about an hour here, mostly going round the Bomberg exhibition, which we found very well laid out with a most informative film to accompany the paintings on show. We'll be back again next time we're in the area.
The coffee shop was good too!
The coffee shop was good too!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Stopped by chance when visiting the tennis some nice prints and cards we bought during a visit also visit coffee shop very nice homemade cake and coffees.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
By the fact i'm local i'm biased but the Towner has a great collection of art which they try to display imaginatively. Also visiting exhibitions are normally well worth a peek.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Eastbourne's Towner gallery, along with Hastings' Jerwood and Margate's Turner galleries, constitutes the new-built segment of a coastal string of Modern Art galleries - the older member being Bexhill's glorious Art Deco De La Warr Pavillion. These are resolute, distinctive spaces for the confident display of modern art. Unlike the other three, Eastbourne's rebuilt Towner is the reincarnation of an older gallery and has no sea views, although it overlooks the tennis courts that see young champions pass through every summer on their way to Wimbledon. The Towner boosts a handy bistro with roof terrace attached, so is a great destination on balmy summer days. The mix of avant grade and 19th century art in the collections makes for an interesting contrast, too. I would recommend a weekend tour of these pearls to any art lover visiting the South coast.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I made a special trip to visit the Recording Britsin exhibition and it did not disappoint. There were several rooms devoted to this exhibition of a collection belonging to the Nstional Gsllery but probably not shown much.
There was also a fantastic exhibition of local work which is to be sold via Internet auction for chsrity.
There is a rooftop cafe with attractive food.
There was also a fantastic exhibition of local work which is to be sold via Internet auction for chsrity.
There is a rooftop cafe with attractive food.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I am the first to admit I'm a totally art dunce but the exhibit on the 1st floor has detailed descriptions next to each piece. The photography exhibition was my actual reason for visiting. I was disappointed to find only 3 photographs but the videography certainly made up for it - totally thought provoking.
Personally I think the café is very expensive at £4.50 a sandwich - but they looked amazing and the attraction is free so I didn't mark down for this. I didn't actually eat as it was too early but the menu is extensive!
I would highly recommend a visit.
Personally I think the café is very expensive at £4.50 a sandwich - but they looked amazing and the attraction is free so I didn't mark down for this. I didn't actually eat as it was too early but the menu is extensive!
I would highly recommend a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Enjoyed the Walk the Line art exhibition and then visited the coffee shop from where there is an excellent view over Eastbourne Tennis Academy.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
excellent gallery always worth a visit has lots of local interest & needs local support. often people don't visit what's on their doorstop
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The current exhibition of work by Eric Ravilious was a revelation to me. Truly excellent work ,and a wonderful exhibition by this very highly regarded artist who tragically died in 1942 in an an air crash while working as a war artist.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Currently there is an interesting show on landscape Britain featuring mainly works created in WW2, but there is a permanent exhibition of the works of one of my favourite artists, Eric Ravillious so it is always worth a visit. There is an interesting programme of events too as well as a decent cafe and a shop with some really great present ideas and lovely cards. it is not far from the beach and the local park is great too. The building is interesting and it is only a 10 minute walk from the station
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Brilliant permanent collection. Temporary exhibitions don't disappoint either. There is work by local artists which is always rotated and the temporary exhibitions are usually very interesting. Cafe upstairs with a lovely view
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The entrance is open now and the front part is ideal fo r a stroll plenty seating in that area while the end is still closed. Great place to relax and enjoy the sea air.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having lived in Eastbourne for two years, I finally visited the Towner with a friend last month to see the temporary exhibition "Recording Britain". An interesting and absorbing exhibition in its own right, it led me on to the permanent Eric Ravilious exhibition, which is lovely.
Apart from a light lunch in the pleasant café, we didn't have time to visit the rest of the building, but it's great that there is so much to see in what appears to be quite a small building - a bit like the Tardis! Regular changes of temporary exhibitions mean that there is always something new to see, and there is no excuse for not visiting every few weeks - especially as it's free!
With four theatres, and such a treasure of an art gallery, Eastbourne really is a place for culture vultures!
Apart from a light lunch in the pleasant café, we didn't have time to visit the rest of the building, but it's great that there is so much to see in what appears to be quite a small building - a bit like the Tardis! Regular changes of temporary exhibitions mean that there is always something new to see, and there is no excuse for not visiting every few weeks - especially as it's free!
With four theatres, and such a treasure of an art gallery, Eastbourne really is a place for culture vultures!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
