Lesley George

General information

Artists’ group Crafts in the Tower celebrated their fifth birthday in October 2016. The group evolved in an interesting way. For many years there was nowhere in Portsmouth for local artists to showcase their work. In 2008 Roy Smith negotiated an arrangement with The Pyramids Centre to show a Festival of Arts. He contacted every practitioner he could find offering them the chance to show their work at the Pyramids at no cost except a contribution towards publicity.
Two whole rooms at the Pyramids were devoted to the festival which took place over three weekend days a month. This was perhaps over-ambitious and the venue was too far off the beaten track to maintain a regular event. Some of group approached Southsea Pier in 2011 and renamed themselves Art on the Pier. This ran successfully until the pier was no longer usable. After another re-naming, Art in the Library moved to the upper floor of Southsea Library for two exhibitions until the Council needed the space for storage.
Jeweller Katherine Webber had been part of this movement from the beginning. She discovered that the Square Tower in Old Portsmouth had become available for hire. The new proprietors, Steve and Julia Hender, had already organised three big craft events there. Katherine met up with them and previous exhibitor Sharon Justice and Crafts in the Tower was born. Several of the artists have been with these groups all the way: Katherine was part of the original organisation team for the Festival of Arts and, along with Di Wren and Cherie Lubbock, also exhibited on the Pier and in the Library. Five years on, all of these and Sharon still exhibit regularly at the Tower.
It has been a long search for a suitable exhibition space. The artists come and go. Some have taken studios at the Hot Walls. However, for those who want a regular exhibition space with friendly fellow artists, the Square Tower provides the perfect answer, especially with the unfailing support of Steve and Julia . The group is a not for profit undertaking: all the artists take part in setting up each month and in promoting the exhibitions. Each pays a small fee to cover the costs of venue hire and publicity.
The Square Tower is a very audience friendly place. Many people come along every month to see what new works are on display and to enjoy Julia’s lovely tearoom.