A free exhibition exploring the creativity behind Ryde’s IW Mardi Gras carnival parade has entered its final weeks at Quay Arts in Newport.
Visitors have until Monday 6th April to catch the show, which runs daily from 9am to 4pm in the West Gallery.
Costumes, puppets and process on display
The exhibition offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at IW Mardi Gras, the children and young people-focused parade that New Carnival organises each July in Ryde.
Visitors can see costumes and giant puppets up close, and explore the craft, design, research and teamwork that goes into bringing the parade to life each year.
Work created by over 25 schools and community groups features in the show, alongside giant puppets made by New Carnival’s Creative Volunteers.
Folktastic Isle
The exhibition centres on New Carnival’s current two-year theme, Folktastic Isle, with highlights from the 2025 parade, The Wheel of the Year, which celebrated the Isle of Wight’s seasonal traditions and cycles of nature.
Looking ahead, the show also introduces the 2026 theme, Stories, Myths and Legends, drawing on lesser-known Isle of Wight folklore.
Visitors can discover how those tales will be researched and transformed into costumes, sculptures and performances.
Bringing folk stories into sharper focus
Hannah Ray, Director of New Carnival, said,
“We want to bring the folk stories of the Isle of Wight into sharper focus. Many of these stories are barely known, and at a time when the Island is continuing to redefine its identity as a Biosphere Island and a Creative Island, it feels like the perfect moment to explore our cultural roots.”
She added,
“The Isle of Wight is often associated with Queen Victoria or Jimi Hendrix, but that only scratches the surface.”
Hannah also pointed to the UK’s commitment to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which covers folk stories, traditions and carnival, as part of the motivation for the project. She said,
“This exhibition allows people to see not only the creativity and participation behind our projects, but also the research, learning and care that goes into developing each year’s theme.”
Free workshops and drop-ins
Alongside the exhibition, New Carnival has programmed a free drop-in Easter Headdress workshop for Saturday 4th April (10am-1pm).
Full details are on the Quay Arts website.
About New Carnival
Founded in 2011 and based in Ryde, New Carnival is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers carnival-based arts projects rooted in the natural environment, local heritage and community participation.
The Isle of Wight has a carnival tradition stretching back to 1887, and New Carnival continues that legacy through environmentally conscious celebratory arts.
Visit their website for more information.
