A painting inspired by an outdoor theatre event at the IW Steam Railway in Havenstreet is to go on display at the Royal Academy of Arts’ Summer Exhibition in London. The piece, ‘Socrates Classroom was under a tree’, has been painted by Hampshire-based artist Kate Mieczkowska. Last July, Kate attended Quay Arts’ performance of Romeo and Juliet at the Havenstreet attraction. The heavens opened so Kate took shelter in the events barn and watched on, gaining a unique view of the show. She explains:
“Ordinarily I would never have been able to watch the production like this and see the backstage, stage, and audience simultaneously. I found it inspiring and fascinating. “When I heard about The Summer Exhibition theme of ‘Making Space’ this year I knew exactly what I would paint. I called it ‘Socrates Classroom was under a tree”.
The painting has been accepted into the exhibition, which is being held between 18th June – 18th August 2024 in the main galleries at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Kate used to live on the Isle of Wight and still maintains strong family and friendship ties here.
