Rosie has spent most of the afternoon wandering around Ventnor finding out what delights are on offer at the Ventnor Fringe Festival. Ed
What sights there were to behold today as Ventnor celebrates the second day of their popular Fringe Festival.
My first stop was at Dixcey Studios where The Undecided Art Collective is currently being exhibited. There is a real range of artwork, from photographs, to paintings, miniature dioramas, and embroidery. It is produced by a large amount of artists, some local, others from farther afield, and there really are a lot of exceptional pieces.
I met Luke Ellison, who had on display some of his own artwork, including a very intricate laser etching. He said his work was a hobby, and that he enjoyed participating in such events as it was nice to gather a group of like-minded artists to display work they enjoyed making in an unpretentious setting.
Lots on offer in the barn
I then strolled down to The Courtyard, in which there is a barn with even more artwork on display, most of which was made by local artists, and is completely different in style to that of the previous exhibition.
Many of the products here are available for purchase in Ventnor shops all year round, there is handmade: bunting, cushion covers, cards, furniture, and much more. A vintage menagerie of all sorts of handmade and unique things, set out in an equally quirky setting.
The poetry caravan
Just outside of the barn is a large courtyard (hence the name), that has been decorated in a comfortable and casual manner with lots of sofas. The focal point is a large caravan from vintage vacations that is used as the backdrop for performers.
These vary from singers to poetry recitals, and it was the latter that I stumbled upon. Islander Bruce Laker was centre stage, giving a rendition of one of his poems, my favourite of which is currently ‘Pet Hate’.
He is a very intelligent and well-spoken individual, and very kindly explains to me his style of poetry, which he describes as of the ‘trans conscient’ school of artistry, which is a non-political movement with a key notion of thought being: make variety the style, not style the slave master.
Hidden gem
The ambience of the Fringe Festival is really on full display in The Courtyard, it is incredibly relaxed, with good audience interaction.
So much so, that after one of Bruce’s poems, an audience member offered one of his own poems, which was really very funny, demonstrating exactly what this festival is about; spontaneity, good-humour, and a platform to display talent that might otherwise go unseen.
Look out for other features on what I saw at the Ventnor Fringe today, coming up on VB tomorrow.
Image: © Rosie Saban | Glasses by Ventnor Fringe
