If you missed last weekend’s 50th birthday celebrations at Quay Arts, worry not, there is still time to visit their latest major exhibition in The West Gallery.
‘The Centre’ is a new mixed-media installation reflecting on 50 years of Quay Arts, blending ephemera, object d’art and artworks with founder and visitor voices.
Running daily until 13th September 2026, ‘The Centre’ reflects upon memorable moments, movements and milestones from Quay Arts’ inception in 1976 to the present day.
Take a tour with the curator in your ear
Earlier this month Simon met with Alicia French (arts team) and Ian Whitmore (curator) for a tour of the exhibition.
Simon recorded the tour so anyone visiting the exhibition can listen themselves as they walk around the exhibition (don’t forget to take your headphones). (Jump to audio)
Taking the format of a physical timeline, the installation charts the beginnings, growth and ongoing activity at Quay Arts, celebrating key movers, groups, artists, acts and users alike.
Alicia and Ian were able to give further insight into the items on display and why they were chosen to be exhibited or who donated them, as well as talk through the process of curation.
It’s a fascinating listen!
A credit to the team
The exhibition does justice to everyone who has passed through the Quay over the last five decades, from the earliest founders onwards.
The arts team deserve real credit for that.
Listen to the audio tour
The audio tour was around 74 minutes long, so we’ve split it into two parts, each running for 37 minutes.
Use the players below to listen, pause, rewind or skip forward in the recording.
Visiting
‘The Centre’ runs until Sunday 13th September 2026 in The West Gallery, Quay Arts, 15 Sea Street, Newport PO30 5BD.
Doors open daily from 9am to 4pm.
