Heritage Sketchbook Project Draws to an End with Exhibition

We’d love to see you at the exhibition launch!

Boom Studios was successful in securing a Heritage Grant from Ards & North Down Borough Council for a sketchbook project, capturing Bangor’s pre-redevelopment seafront through the eyes of 10 artists. 

Led by studio landscape artist Jenni Robinson, the grant supported participants with art materials and guided drawing walks to observe and record the landscape from Pickie around to the marina/McKee clock area in their sketchbooks.

Aged from 12 (and a half!) upwards, the artists had varied reasons for taking part, from discovery of a new home, to memories of family, a sense of coming home after a long time or a desire to reconnect with art as a pastime/therapy. 

As such the response has surpassed all expectation, with some artists embracing the brief on-the-spot notetaking that the outdoor drawing sessions offered, and others choosing to extend their exploration of the subject in to their home hours. Collectively, the project racked up over 200 hours of creativity.

The sketchbooks are nothing short of wonderful, containing every 2d artform imaginable from drawing and painting to tetrapak prints, etching and digital integration. Everyday & special viewpoints have been captured, the artists have found fascinating overlooked treasures, and there are love letters to Project 24, annotations of what places mean to people, and other personal touches.

“I have run monthly sketch walks from Boom for over a year now, and I have seen not only the effect creativity has on people’s wellbeing, but also the profound change it made to how I created my own landscape paintings.  One look at these books and you can’t help but be drawn in by what people have seen, and the way they have interpreted it.  I truly believe the collection will be a treasure in years to come, a snapshot of Bangor in our time”.

I would like to extend my deepest thanks to all the artists - I’ve been blown away by the committment and heartfelt response to this project. And to our funders, Ards & North Down Borough Council, who have enabled us to gift the tools, time and space for everyone to take part.

Jenni Robinson, project lead artist

We have collected some feedback from our participants and look forward to publishing an impact report in the near future. 

A digital archive of the sketchbooks will be kept, with the originals being donated to North Down Museum.  The main sketchbook exhibition will be available to view during open hours/by appointment at Boom for 2 weeks, please contact marianne@boomstudios.org.uk to check availability as the building door will not be open on days when staff aren’t present.