In a triumphant celebration of the arts, the multi award-winning Operation Geranium is once again bestowing the gift of free art and music shows upon us.
The stage? None other than The Better Day’s Cafe during the Ventnor Fringe Festival.
Reviving lost art: A tribute to St Mary’s Hospital
This year’s special feature is a show curated by Steve Double, a local independent music promoter and a Fringe veteran for five years.
Steve is set to breathe life into a trove of artistic gems, the lost art of St Mary’s Hospital. In a stark rebuke to the oppressive forces that kept it out of the public eye for 40 years, Steve says this art is finally ready for a renaissance.
Delving into creativity: The Better Day’s Cafe Exhibition
With The Better Day’s Cafe as its canvas, the exhibition is set to unlock the doors to an immersive world of creativity and imagination.
It plays host to the distinctive works of over 40 emerging UK artists, offering a space for visitors to plunge headfirst into the rich tapestry of contemporary art.
Promoting art through postcards: A novel initiative
In 2020, this local art exhibition became a catalyst for a unique advertising campaign, distributing 50,000 free artist postcards across the Isle of Wight.
The campaign, supported by over 100 local businesses, proved to be a stroke of marketing genius the Island hadn’t anticipated, unhindered by bureaucracy and flourishing in its unconventionality.
Art: Empowerment and expression
Now, the art is more than just a showcase. It’s a form of empowerment, and you’ll find it in the most unexpected places.
This is art that belongs, reconnects, enriches, and explains. Art that lends a voice to the voiceless, becoming a remedy and a source of inspiration. Art that freely expresses its inherent anger, energy, and intensity, pushing the boundaries of culture and change.
From Isle of Wight to the World: An Arts Trail
The Stay Safe and Send A Local Artist’s Postcard scheme previously carved out an arts trail from the Isle of Wight to many forgotten corners of the globe.
Postcards displayed on kitchen appliances transformed everyday spaces into 24/7 people’s galleries. Now, the art is ready to come home.
Modern art, tea and postcards: A unique blend
Welcome to the present, where there’s space to sit amongst the flowers of modern art, enjoy a cup of tea, and perhaps even pen a postcard.
The beauty of this art, much like the mythical T-Shirts of Atlantis, is its resilience, its ability to flower and survive even in the harshest of environments.
Experience the difference: A call to action
Embrace the difference at Ventnor Fringe, not as a critic, but as an advocate for change.
Your participation could be more impactful than you realise, as proceeds from sales, raffles and more will benefit The Better Day’s Community Cafe and Cancer Research.
The Better Day’s Cafe stands as a testament to the power of communal discovery. So let it be, and let the voyage begin.
Where and when
The Operation Geranium Exhibition takes place at The Better Days Cafe, 64 High St, Ventnor PO38 1LT.
They are open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. See their Website for more information.
If you ‘d like to make a donation to the work of the Cafe you can do so by heading over to their Go Fund Me page.
