blackpool arts scene Archives - Page 2 of 7

27 Jun

Exhibition review: EquiVocal – the Freedom Art

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, painting

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Shaun Wilkinson opened his exhibition at the Church Street HIVE gallery, the evening of 19th June 2025. Skipping dinner, David Simper caught the service 61 bus to town to view this fine display. Shaun's work is of that quality bracket that after viewing, one wonders whether it's worth continuing with one's paltry efforts (see my Instagram for my latest inadequate daub). I'm not a massive fan of abstract art, but these are masterful; not all are entirely abstract, such as the example above. The pieces above show that, while the work might be described as abstract, they are…

16 Jun

Exhibition Review: Fragments of Time by John Threlfall

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsblackpool arts scene, Fylde Coast, photographic exhibition, photographs

The evening of 2nd June 2025 saw David Simper catch the service 61 bus to the Tea Amantes cafe and gallery to catch this exhibition of fine art photographs taken by local photographer, John Threlfall. I was familiar with John's work, as it frequently pops up on my Instagram feed, its quality standing out. Whereas I have always favoured monochrome, he goes for saturated colour, with the occasional monochrome for a change. In the light of this, I was particularly keen to catch this exhibition. On entry I found a buzzing cafe and John about to make his speech, thanking…

07 May

Artist Q&A: Tom Lopato

David Simper2 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsabstract art, art exhibition, blackpool arts scene, painting

Being familiar with Tom Lopato's work, David Simper was keen to catch the opening of his solo exhibition. He headed to the buzzing HIVE gallery on Church Street and caught up with the local artist. I had chatted to Tom at an event at the Tea Amantes gallery – we had got onto the then upcoming Grundy Open Exhibition and coincidentally, when this exhibition opened, his piece was hung almost directly over mine on the wall. Having also seen his paintings on sale in the Topping Street Aunty Social outlet, I considered myself familiar with his work. However, this had…

15 Apr

Photo Essay: Street photography with Tea Amantes

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsblack and white photography, blackpool arts scene, street photography

A recent exhibition of street photography by the Tea Amantes photowalk group highlighted some fine work from the collective in 2024. The group is already well on its way to building a body of work for 2025. David Simper loaded his rangefinder camera and headed down to the cafe to join the group, as it hit the streets of Blackpool for the third photowalk of 2025. The team gathered at the Tea Amantes cafe and gallery on 29th March 2025, its collective work still exhibited on the walls. It seemed to have grown since the new year and the room…

15 Apr

Artist Q&A: George Foy – The Spirit of Adventure

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsblackpool arts scene, photography exhibition, travel photography

The month swings round with alarming speed and it's time for the switch over at the Tea Amantes cafe and gallery. This time a very different photography follows on from the street snapping of the last show. David Simper popped along to see it. For once, the service 61 bus let me down and, while I had time to walk to catch the service 3 instead, this meant that I was later than usual at the Tea Amantes gallery. However, on entering, there was still plenty going on and plenty of nibbles, mostly featuring chocolate, which is always good. I…

02 Apr

Exhibition review: St. Aidan’s CE High School – Art and Design creativity

David Simper0 CommentsLocal News, Visual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, creative young people

The regular Saturday morning HIVE Jive get together at the Church Street gallery also featured an exhibition of GCSE work produced by tomorrow's creatives from local school, St. Aidan's. David Simper ordered his usual Americano and climbed the stairs to view this display. The 22nd of March's HIVE Jive gathering was enlivened by the opening of this fine exhibition consisting of GCSE art and design work created by the pupils of St. Aidan's school. This was universally good work and very varied making an excellent and bold display. The school prides itself on offering a diverse range of creative opportunities,…

24 Mar

Artist Q&A: Adam Mousley

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsblack and white photography, blackpool arts scene, photography exhibition, street photography

A new exhibition of black and white prints, all taken on film, is a masterclass in the old ways of image making and perhaps the start of a long-term social record. David Simper caught up with the artist behind them. I've admired Adam Mousley's work for a long time and was therefore pleased to learn that he had secured an exhibition space in the downstairs cafe area at The HIVE in Blackpool. The collection is eclectic, but all delivered with a trademark intensity, strong composition, a quick eye and excellent use of perspective. Some of the shots were taken at various…

04 Mar

Exhibition Review: No 12 Collective

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsblackpool arts scene, photography, photography exhibition

David Simper travelled down to the town centre on a Friday night to catch a new exhibition from the No 12 Collective, based in the UCLan photography department. The group returns after staging an exhibition at Hive a year ago. He arrived to find the place bustling. This group's previous show was excellent and I was keen to see this new collection as the No 12 Collective returned to The Hive gallery on 28th February 2025. The prints were generally large and well presented. I noticed that they were accompanied by photo books and business cards, which had not been…

26 Feb

Theatre Review: An Inspector Calls

David Simper0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performanceblackpool arts scene, Blackpool Grand Theatre, play, theatrical review

David Simper reviews Stephen Daldry’s multi-award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller after a record-breaking, sell-out tour in 2022. With its striking set and stunning performances, An Inspector Calls had a Grand Theatre audience of all ages rapt on opening night. The Blackpool Grand's stage is covered by a particularly heavy drape. The lights dim and a small boy wearing old-fashioned, possibly school clothing, enters the stage, followed by other children. This boy tinkers with a radio set and the theatre fills with the sound of a siren – are we in World War II? Finally the curtain…

17 Feb

Artist Q&A: Dee Kozo

David Simper0 CommentsLocal News, Visual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, painting

Black, British and Blackpool-based artist Dee Kozo is currently displaying her debut full solo exhibition at Hive Arts. David Simper popped along to the regular Saturday morning HIVE Jive social to view the exhibition and chat to the artist about her work. The size, material choice and subject vary across Dee Kozo's accomplished exhibition, Diaspora. Some of the pieces might actually fit in my limited wall space, which is worth a thought. Dee is a Black British artist and teacher living and working in Blackpool and is known for her striking portraits. She draws on her Zambian heritage together with…