The Harbour Gallery was about to open it’s doors for the second edition of their Starting Out exhibition (kindly sponsored for a second year running by The Islands Foundation) when Covid-19 hit, and everything changed. 20 shortlisted artists were ready to showcase their talents at the Starting Out 2 Private View, which was understandably, but sadly, cancelled. 

The Harbour Gallery is a not for profit charity run by volunteers and it has been at the centre of Jersey’s art community for 17 years, since being taken on by Art in the Frame Foundation (whose current patron is Lady Dalton), and the gallery has become the hub and window to the charity. However, the future of the gallery is in doubt.

The Harbour Gallery is a valuable asset to the islands, holding a variety of events, not limited to: Art parties, fabulous cakes, gallery space and exhibitions, fostering local talent, GCSE and A Level courses, studio space, talks and education.

The Art in the Frame Foundation have set up a Justgiving campaign to raise money and ensure the Gallery can get up and running again when the restrictions are relaxed allowing them to continue to bring art and design to the Jersey community. If you are able to contribute to the fund, it would be hugely appreciated. You can find more details here. You can also support the gallery for free by liking, sharing and commenting on their social media posts. 

While temporarily closed, The Harbour Gallery have been sharing some of the artist’s work on Facebook in their virtual exhibition of the ‘Starting Out 2’ exhibitors. We’d like to share three of their extremely talented, featured artists here, each working in very different styles; Louise Le Luyer-Miller, Julie Fennessy and Celine Edgar.

Louise Le Luyer-Miller’s focus is on surface pattern and illustration. She is exhibiting her recent floral work made using inks and worked in a more loose, bold and colourful way.

Louise studied A level art at Beaulieu and then went on to attain an HND, BA and a Masters in industrial Ceramic Design graduating with Distinction from Staffordshire University in 1995.  She represented the University at the London New Designers and was awarded the best new ceramic designer gaining a design Position at Wedgwood, creating many successful designs for them. Following this Louise worked in NY for 13 years and designed what is still the top selling pattern in the USA for 20 years, Butterfly Meadow. She has worked for many high profile companies, including, Villeroy & Boch, Royal Doulton, Asprey and helped design Kade Spade's dinnerware collection for Lenox USA and completed a placement at Bernaurdaud in Paris. Last summer, Louise designed a Gorilla for the Go wild Gorilla trail.

Julie Fennessy is a Jersey-born artist known as Vennessa Fenn Photography, interested in the genres of travel, photojournalism, cityscape and landscape photography.

Julie’s work is inspired by her travels, and likes to share the world through the lens of her camera. Julia cites Ann Curry, a journalistic photographer and landscape photographer Melvin Nicholson, as strong influences on her work. 

Her aim is to continue to exhibit her work in galleries and work to commission. Her exhibit for The Harbour Gallery is a Tree Series, featuring landscape photos of trees from different places around the world. 

The third artist in our feature is Celine Edgar, a local artist who specialises in graphite portraiture and has recently begun exploring the use of oils in her paintings too. She draws inspiration from friends, family, travel and wildlife. 

Celine studied at Highlands College and has a BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design as well as a HNC in Construction having previously worked for an architectural firm.

Another of The Harbour Gallery’s 'Starting Out 2' exhibitors is David Priddis. He has been sharing his lockdown photography and recently talked about his work with The Harbour Gallery team on their Facebook page:

"Whilst on Lockdown and out on my 2 hours exercise or enjoying the garden in the amazing sunshine that we have been experiencing, I always have my camera near by....these are just a few of this week's shots......

Beach Landscapes. The interaction of the sea and the sand does it for me. The colour differences both define a border and a sense of continual change. The beach/sea are also place where I enjoy being and I like to share those scenes with others. Hopefully I will inspire them to get out there and enjoy them too....

Macro shots in the garden. I always enjoy how macro photography can pull you into this miniature world of detail that we don't normally notice. It is a way of seeing things from a different perceptive, while highlighting minute details in creatures and plants."

If you’re interested in learning more about The Harbour Gallery, or exploring more of their artist's works, you can view their thebestof Jersey profile here, or click over the their website for more information.