Towner Gallery
Latest Reviews
This modern gallery must be the envy of many other seaside resorts. It houses both permanent and special free exhibitions that keep changing, so check the website to see the latest offering.
The Towner is only a small gallery so perfect for short visits. Airy spacious and well presented.
The Towner is only a small gallery so perfect for short visits. Airy spacious and well presented.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
brilliant but small, went especially to see ravillious room! Disappointing that there was so little, but what there was was great!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Always good. Love the light and airy modern building and Ravilious themed merchandise . Not much time to loiter on this occasion.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Think Eastbourne and you may not think of cutting edge contemporary art - however this is the south coast town that nurtured the talent of many an artist -from Eric Ravilious who taught at the then then College of Art to the many artists, such as Harold Mockford, nurtured by former curators of this gallery, some of whom were artists in their own right. Founded by a local councillor with an unusual level of foresightedness, this collection has grown way beyond the original 22 pictures in a historic house in Eastbourne's Old Town. It's now housed in a purpose built modernist building by Rick Mather Associates which makes the most of its site by the international tennis courts, with stunning views of the South Downs - and the landscapes of the South Downs (now Britain's newest National Park, so those artists definitely recognised quality when they painted it!) is a particular strength of the permanent collections.
We saw the temporary exhibition of photographs by Ori Gersht - incredibly atmospheric and haunting images of the attempted escape through the Pyrenees of Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin, trying to escape form Nazi Germany via Spain to the USA. The black and white (mainly) photo's are cold and bleak, reflecting the desperate attempts to escape by this middle-aged intellectual (how he must have suffered at these altitudes and gradients - I can only imagine how fear could drive you on to the privations of these mountains, as another middle-aged person!). It's only after appreciating the atmosphere of these photo's that you realise the level of talent of Ori Gersht as an artist himself.
And - the cafe's much better than on previous visits when I suspect the caterers were the ones appointed by Eastbourne Borough rather than the newly created charitable trust. Good Lebanese flatbreads with humus and excellent range and quality of cakes!!
Staff in the galleries were friendly and knowledge without being intrusive.
Well worth a visit - and free - spend money in the shop to support this gallery
We saw the temporary exhibition of photographs by Ori Gersht - incredibly atmospheric and haunting images of the attempted escape through the Pyrenees of Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin, trying to escape form Nazi Germany via Spain to the USA. The black and white (mainly) photo's are cold and bleak, reflecting the desperate attempts to escape by this middle-aged intellectual (how he must have suffered at these altitudes and gradients - I can only imagine how fear could drive you on to the privations of these mountains, as another middle-aged person!). It's only after appreciating the atmosphere of these photo's that you realise the level of talent of Ori Gersht as an artist himself.
And - the cafe's much better than on previous visits when I suspect the caterers were the ones appointed by Eastbourne Borough rather than the newly created charitable trust. Good Lebanese flatbreads with humus and excellent range and quality of cakes!!
Staff in the galleries were friendly and knowledge without being intrusive.
Well worth a visit - and free - spend money in the shop to support this gallery
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It's very easy to drop into the Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne! Spend a happy half hour or so drinking in the latest exhibition, then drink in a very nice flat white in the cafe - it has a spectacular view. I enjoy the diversity of exhibitions - and love the new Ravilious room devoted to the life and work of Eric Ravilious. Tasteful gift shop too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Absolutely loved the Ori Gerscht exhibition. What a treat to find this gallery just round the corner from our B&B. The Eric Ravilious room is sweet. The cafe looked pretty good but we didn't have time to visit which was a shame. Lovely space, would vist again if we ever come back to Eastbourne.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
visiting eastborne yesturday I found most of the attractions shut except this, and they were bettween exhibitions so could only see first floor (not their fault) overall I would say this is a pretty decent attraction with some interesting pictures, in a modern building with cafe and also its free, saw some nice picture of the downs.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Public selected art &childrens section is good; some of the rest is a waste of space. DON'T eat there you will get better quality&value@nearby hotels.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been a number of times and it has been a hit and miss experience. Each time I have been, one room or floor is closed with no art on display. As it's a small gallery I find that astonishing and disappointing, I have never experienced this at any other gallery I've visited, anywhere. Some exhibitions are great ( the local school contributions are fantastic, Eric Ravilious wonderful) but some, for me, have been utter artsy nonsense ( a video of a tiger in a swimming pool). I agree with other comments that there is too much empty space, sadly, I think Towner curators don't really have it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Towner is a stylish modern gallery which is a great assett for Eastbourne.
Exciting and varied exhibitions covering a diversity of artistic styles. The recent Peggy Angus exhibition and
The Lyons Lithographs were superbly curated and real gems.
The Urban Ground cafe has wonderful views and great coffee.
Great outreach and activities for all ages mean Towner has a real community feel.
The new Ravilious room means there are always examples if this great artist and designers work on display. My favourite gallery
Exciting and varied exhibitions covering a diversity of artistic styles. The recent Peggy Angus exhibition and
The Lyons Lithographs were superbly curated and real gems.
The Urban Ground cafe has wonderful views and great coffee.
Great outreach and activities for all ages mean Towner has a real community feel.
The new Ravilious room means there are always examples if this great artist and designers work on display. My favourite gallery
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Towner is a very interesting contemporary building in its own right. I have been to a few exhibitions, often local artists that I haven't heard of. The most recent was Peggy Angus, July to September 2014, which was an interesting exhibition of her work with a video of her in conversation. As I am an Art Fund member, it was half-price admission.
The permanent exhibitions move around but my favourite has to be Eric Ravilious, a local artist who died tragically young. His art is unique and memorable painting local landscapes of East Sussex including Cuckmere Haven, and you can buy reproductions of his work in the Towner shop.
I am less keen on the contemporary exhibitions, particularly the downstairs room, which has in my opinion some "wacky" exhibitions.
It is definitely worth a visit to the free part and worth a visit anyway to look over the lawn tennis courts.
The permanent exhibitions move around but my favourite has to be Eric Ravilious, a local artist who died tragically young. His art is unique and memorable painting local landscapes of East Sussex including Cuckmere Haven, and you can buy reproductions of his work in the Towner shop.
I am less keen on the contemporary exhibitions, particularly the downstairs room, which has in my opinion some "wacky" exhibitions.
It is definitely worth a visit to the free part and worth a visit anyway to look over the lawn tennis courts.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely building, variable artwork generally from the collection but a lovely collection of watercolours mostly painted in the 1930s from this talented local artist and staged in a dedicated room! Don't miss it if you like art.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Current exhibitions very good. One I saw in summer 2014 also very good. Beats the Jerwood at Hastings hands down and it's free!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was my first visit since the new Towner opened. I remember a really good Ravilious exhibition many years ago in the old building.
The temporary exhibitions were very good (I spent a long time with 'Shadow Theatre' in Land & Sea exhibition), but I thought the Ravilious room was a bit skimpy for the permanent collection. Only about a dozen watercolours and a few prints, woodcuts and ceramics were on display in the small room. I don't get to Eastbourne often and I would have liked to see some more.
The temporary exhibitions were very good (I spent a long time with 'Shadow Theatre' in Land & Sea exhibition), but I thought the Ravilious room was a bit skimpy for the permanent collection. Only about a dozen watercolours and a few prints, woodcuts and ceramics were on display in the small room. I don't get to Eastbourne often and I would have liked to see some more.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a splendid place-right next to the theatre and Cavendish Park where the tennis takes place. There is lots going on and if you like art and activities then this is the place to visit. Everything is clean and the staff are very helpful and friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a gallery. I came to Eastbourne for the weekend, just to visit the Peggy Angus exhibition at the Towner and am so glad I did - a beautiful space, perfectly curated exhibitions and helpful staff. An added bonus was the newly opened Eric Ravilious room. Having admired his work for a long time, it was a pleasure to see a collection of his work showcased in a newly-dedicated area. (Make sure you look in the wooden chest if you visit and don't miss the delicate woodcuts and prints!) Well worth a visit to Eastbourne!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I would have welcomed a glass of with my lunch and I found the absence of Eric Ravilious cards in the shop rather strange..othwerwise fine
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic-highly recomended. Dedicated friendly and knowledeable staff. Definitely worth a visit .go for it/
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We start with an unattractive building where vast acres of space are wasted. Add bleak concrete corridors and stairs that are too narrow to pass easily and views from the restaurant tables obscured by the height of the (again) concrete walls and you get an idea of the charm of the place. Things were much improved by the exhibitions on today - Peggy Angus - and also the designs on domestic ware eg Ravilious on Wedgwood crockery. But the Sussex Open exhibition, lost in a great warehouse of a gallery was a disappointment. Some of the works were even technically incompetent and I can't say that I wanted to take any of them home; that's my criterion on how to measure a good exhibition. The one reliable feature of the Towner is that when an outside curator is allowed to get his/her hands on an exhibition it zings with the choice of exhibits, labelling, hanging at different levels. But leave an exhibition to the house curators and you are in for boredom and lack of imagination. This, unfortunately, has been our experience since this gallery opened. So check who has curated the exhibition before you visit. The Towner has an amazing collection of works. These used to be regularly rotated and displayed in the old gallery in the Old Town. Now that there is about 10 times the space in the new gallery we rarely see these and when we do the hanging leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully things will improve now that the Towner is an independent trust but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. New blood is needed to make this place anywhere near as good as Pallant House or the Jerwood.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Its not often that you can see new exhibitions for free. But majority of the time there is always something on at the towner for FREE. Ive spent many a rainy day here with my family.
We went recently and there were drawing things and carft items out for the little ones. We had to drag my daughter out !
Lovely to have somethign like this in Eastbourne.
We went recently and there were drawing things and carft items out for the little ones. We had to drag my daughter out !
Lovely to have somethign like this in Eastbourne.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The last 15 years have seen a huge growth in contemporary art galleries, but whilst many of them occupy stunning buildings, the amount of content is often a little disappointing and the verdict has been, in the words of Doctor Johnson, "worth seeing, but not worth going to see."
The Towner does not disappoint. It occupies a well-designed, light and spacious new building and my visit there took at least twice as long as usual, thanks to the rich variety of exhibits. There is also a very pleasant cafe on the first floor (easily accessible by wheelchair), with views of Eastbourne and the Downs.
Your opinion of the art will naturally depend on which exhibitions are on, so check the website first before going. I saw three, out of which two were excellent (the other was a collection of mostly lacklustre work by local artists, but still interesting). Depending on what's being shown, a visit will taken between one and three hours. The main exhibition is ticketed, but the remainder is free.
For older and less able-bodied visitors, there are plenty of facilties, including portable foldaway stools for those who have trouble standing. For parents with young children, there are regular activities and an area where they can sit and draw.
The area surrounding the Towner could be more exciting, but the seafront is very near and I'd strongly recommend a visit.
The Towner does not disappoint. It occupies a well-designed, light and spacious new building and my visit there took at least twice as long as usual, thanks to the rich variety of exhibits. There is also a very pleasant cafe on the first floor (easily accessible by wheelchair), with views of Eastbourne and the Downs.
Your opinion of the art will naturally depend on which exhibitions are on, so check the website first before going. I saw three, out of which two were excellent (the other was a collection of mostly lacklustre work by local artists, but still interesting). Depending on what's being shown, a visit will taken between one and three hours. The main exhibition is ticketed, but the remainder is free.
For older and less able-bodied visitors, there are plenty of facilties, including portable foldaway stools for those who have trouble standing. For parents with young children, there are regular activities and an area where they can sit and draw.
The area surrounding the Towner could be more exciting, but the seafront is very near and I'd strongly recommend a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely modern building. They have a very good collection stored, but insist on exhibiting contemporary rubbish!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went to the opening of the new Peggy Angus collection. Quite a revelation of a local but little known influential artist and designer and teacher .
The Towner became an Independent Trust on July 1st 2014 with Trustee Chairman being David Dimbleby.
Peggy Angus: Designer, Teacher, Painter
12 July - 21 September 2014 (ticketed) Exhibitions Gallery – Second Floor
In this large-scale exhibition, Towner will bring together the wide range of work by the influential and inspirational artist and designer Peggy Angus.
Born in 1904 in Chile, Angus moved to London with her family when she was a young child. At just 17, she won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art based on her accomplished illustrations. Fellow students included Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Barnett Freedman and Percy Horton.
In 1933 Peggy moved into Furlongs, on the Sussex Downs near Lewes, and her home became a meeting place and creative hub for Ravilious, John Piper and many others, who, as well as creating their own work, were invited to contribute to the interior decoration of the house itself. Throughout her life, she was an important mentor, teacher and collaborator for a great number of artists.
The exhibition includes her early illustrations, portraits and landscape paintings,
and her Modernist design work with wallpapers and tiles.
http://www.townereastbourne.org.uk/exhibition/peggy-angus/
The Towner became an Independent Trust on July 1st 2014 with Trustee Chairman being David Dimbleby.
Peggy Angus: Designer, Teacher, Painter
12 July - 21 September 2014 (ticketed) Exhibitions Gallery – Second Floor
In this large-scale exhibition, Towner will bring together the wide range of work by the influential and inspirational artist and designer Peggy Angus.
Born in 1904 in Chile, Angus moved to London with her family when she was a young child. At just 17, she won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art based on her accomplished illustrations. Fellow students included Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Barnett Freedman and Percy Horton.
In 1933 Peggy moved into Furlongs, on the Sussex Downs near Lewes, and her home became a meeting place and creative hub for Ravilious, John Piper and many others, who, as well as creating their own work, were invited to contribute to the interior decoration of the house itself. Throughout her life, she was an important mentor, teacher and collaborator for a great number of artists.
The exhibition includes her early illustrations, portraits and landscape paintings,
and her Modernist design work with wallpapers and tiles.
http://www.townereastbourne.org.uk/exhibition/peggy-angus/
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I popped into the towner to check out the views from the cafe! Its true you can see the tennis from there, great when the tournament is on. I nipped into the loo, a very handy facility. Now the gallery...well l was a tad dissapointed. When l went there was a Morris Dancing exhibition on, twas ok, but l did feel as if l was being watched by the staff. I feel as if there is alot of wasted space in the gallery, lots of empty walls along the corridors. To me, a place like this should stimulate at every turn. I will go in again and give it another chance, well it is free, and see what difference time makes.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Popped in recently to pay a visit to the new "Urban Ground café"-excellent and a very welcome addition
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
