Hats Off to Sandown, a free exhibition of extraordinary headwear created by artists and the community, is heading to Quay Arts in Newport this weekend.
The exhibition celebrates the success of Sandown Carnival’s project to revive the tradition of hat-wearing at the town’s annual seaside event, supported by Arts Council England since 2023.
On show will be many of the giant creations worn at the popular Regatta Hat Parade, along with striking images by Island photographers Simon Avery and Emma Wilkinson.
Sandown Carnival’s Paul Coueslant says:
“We’re thrilled that our hat-making workshops have attracted and inspired hundreds of Island residents and visitors over the last two summers, all enthusiastic about the chance to create their own distinctive headwear and work alongside Island artists to produce some of the big hats we can see at Quay Arts. It’s a brilliantly successful example of the community and artists working together and wonderful to be able to showcase the results.”
Most of the big hats on show are inspired by Sandown itself. The Gallus Hat was designed by artist Joel Lines and based on the mysterious mosaic of a cockerel-headed man unearthed at nearby Brading Roman Villa.
Keely Hunter’s Butterfly Hat reflects the natural beauty of the landscape around Sandown Bay, and the John Wilkes Hat by Kate Phillips is a nod to the town’s 18th century history, when the radical politician set up home in Sandown and became one of its first residents. The gruesome Kraken Hat by Island artist Teresa Grimaldi is inspired by Tennyson’s short poem about a mythical sea creature.
The project’s creative producer Tracy Mikich believes the hat revival’s success is making an important difference to the Island seaside town, she said:
“Too often we hear negative stories about Sandown, and it’s easy to feel despondent when you look at the big picture. So let’s look at the small picture, the grassroots events and projects that are helping to transform the town. Together these will build momentum. So let’s think big by supporting small”.
Hats Off to Sandown is at the Clayden Gallery, Quay Arts Centre, Sea Street, Newport PO30 5BD, 09:00 – 17:00 daily from Friday 8th November to Tuesday 26th November 2024.
The reason there are many negative thoughts about
Sandown is because it is full of derelict hotels and
a scruffy High Street.
IW Council are not doing anything about it, apart from
Charging extortionate business rates and 50p to use
the toilet by the sea.