Folkestone Artworks Launch May 2013

Folkestone is now home to sixteen high calibre, permanent, contemporary art works  acclaimed national and international professional artists. A launch of Folkestone Artworks during the weekend of 3 – 6 May, will celebrate the accessible, yet challenging works that break boundaries but are exciting to discover and explore.

Folkestone Artworks stretch from the west end of The Leas, where Towards the Sound of Wilderness by Cristina Iglesias can be found at Martello Tower No 4 to Sunny Sands, where The Folkestone Mermaidby Cornelia Parker gazes out across the Channel. Unlike an exhibition confined to a gallery, it acts as an introduction to the whole town, giving all businesses a chance to benefit from visitors.

Folkestone will become well known as a town  home to a wide variety of high calibre, contemporary Art that attracts those with an established interest in the arts as well as visitors who discover that even a casual encounter with the works can be both inspiring and fun There are poignant exhibits such as the Mark Wallinger’s Folk Stones a tribute to the soldiers who died on the first day of the battle of the Somme in 1916 and Paloma Varga Weisz’s  Rug People at the  historic Harbour Railway Station and others tinged with humour, such as the Pae White’s Barking Rocks, a dogs adventure playground at Pleydell Gardens. And the tender poignancy that surrounds sculpture Baby Things.

Accompanying the launch will be a new map, an audio guide, talks and tours and merchandise together with a website, downloadable apps and  learning resource packs.