May brings us new exhibitions by local artists, the return of our Develop week full of workshops, events and talks designed for you to learn, develop and create, plus an exciting opportunity to showcase your work with us during Worthing Festival.
With lots going on at Colonnade House and beyond this month, make sure you read on to find out more.
John Shelley: Clowns, Scarecrows & Other Icons
Open now until 07 May // 10.00 – 17.00
There’s only a couple days left to experience John Shelley’s dreamlike landscapes, fantasy characters and surrealist worlds.
John’s latest collection explores characters both playful and eerie, yet unsettling.
Fred Delius: Urban Sketching en Plein Air
Open now – 11 May // 10.00 – 17.00
See Fred Delius painting and sketching in the gallery and find out how he uses watercolour and oils to create his wonderful artworks of well loved locations from around Worthing and beyond.
Thriving Together
08 – 11 May // 10.00 – 17.00
Come and shape the future of Worthing – together. Join in with four free days of creative activities as part of Adur & Worthing Councils Thriving Together Programme.
Whether you’re a lifelong local or new to the area, this is your chance to share what you love about Worthing and what you’d like to change. The pop up events will gather information to help shape the proposals for local government reorganisation.
Create + Develop
12 – 17 May // 10.00 – 17.00
Our popular Develop Week is back. This time, we have a variety of events and creative workshops giving you more opportunities to learn, explore & create. All of the events across the week are free but we’re asking for donations to support the Adur & Worthing Trust and to help keep our events at Colonnade House free.
Consultation Week Feedback
12 – 17 May// 10.00 – 17.00
In January we held our Consultation Week which resulted in us receiving invaluable feedback from the local community. We’d like to share with you the feedback we received, what we’ve done since and what we have planned for the future.
Shaky Hands
20 – 24 May// 10.00 – 17.00
Shaky Hands showcases the creative brilliance of those living with Parkinson’s Diseas. Hoping to inspire and develop creativity across the community, they invite you to experience their artwork in their week-long exhibition.
Nicolette Amos: Rainbow Bloom
20 – 24 May // 10.00 – 17.00
Experience all of the colours of the rainbow in Nicolette’s solo exhibition inspipred by her love for jellyfish, capturing the essence of these with bright colours and striking compositions.
Nicolette also lives with Parkinson’s Disease, being the organiser and curator of Shaky Hands.
John Stanley-Clamp: Past & Present
27 – 31 May // 10.00 – 17.00
Glimpse into the past and present of John Stanley-Clamps life. Full of freelance photography and design work as well as running life drawing classes under the name of Roxanne, John has experienced a life full of creativity.
Fringe & Fibres
Opportunity // £20 participation fee // Deadline 19 May 9.00am
For Worthing Festival 2025, we’re looking for local fashion designers, quilters, surface designers, weavers, stitchers & mixed media artists to take part in a fibre based exhibition at Colonnade House. We’re encouraging all artists and designers of any age and experience to take part.
If you’d also like to run a textile based workshop throughout the week, get in touch!
Find out more about the upcoming exhibition and how to book your submission here.
Opportunities
The Cass Art Prize // Deadline 13 May // £12 entry fee
The Cass Art Prize aims to champion contemporary art from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. With categories for oil, watercolour, acrylic, pastels, drawing, 3D, printmaking and mixed media, anyone can apply to take part. Find out more here.
Photoworks: Poetry & Publication // Deadline 13 May // Free to apply
This is a new opportunity to publish work that combines poetry and photography to mark Photoworks 30th birthday. The call is open internationally to any artist regardless of experience. The work submitted must be original and unpublished. Find out how to take part here.
Montague Open 25 // Deadline 16 May // £10 – £20
The Montague Open is for both emerging and established local artists and makers. Offering an opportunity to showcase work in a carefully curated gallery exhibition, plus the opportunity to win prizes and awards. They’re particularly on the look our for 3D submissions and are offering a discounted entry fee of £20 for four pieces. Find out how to apply here.
Fabrica In Between Open Call // Deadline 17 June // Free to apply
The In Between Gallery is a temporary gallery in the Fabrica window showing contemporary photography. Showing work twice a year, they are looking for work by emerging photographers to show works in October. Find out how to apply here.
The Sussex 2025 // Dealine 31 August // £15 entry fee
Now open for submissions on the theme of L’art de la vie quotidienne: art of everyday life. The call is open to artists who were born, live, work or were educated in Sussex. Submissions are capped at 2500 so early entry is encouraged. Find out more here.
Events & Exhibitions
Support that Matters // 16 May
See Dementia through art – created by people living with it at the Skyway Gallery in Shoreham. Exploring ‘what support matters most to you’, the artwork gives an insight into the experiences of those living with Dementia. Find out more about the exhibition here.
West Sussex Art Society Annual Show // 16 – 31 May
This year, the West Sussex Art Society is holding their annual show at the Shoreham Centre. As well finding out what the members have been up to with their latest artworks, you can also join in with a day of mark making with the Mark You Make artists group on Saturday 17 May. Find out more about their upcoming exhibition here.
Drink & Draw in support of MindOut // 21 May
In support of celebration and solidarity, Weald Contemporary are hosting a Drink & Draw fundraising event in support of MindOut, a mental health charity run by and for LGBTQ+ people for over 20 years. Find out more and book your place here.
Held in Form // 14 – 22 June
As part of Sussex Craft Week in June, Chintz and Wood are hosting Held in Form. A curated exhibition celebrating the humble bow, featuring beautifully made pieces in wood, ceramic and basketry. Find out more about the exhibition here.