Purbeck Art Weeks’ Rollington Barn exhibition is back!

With plenty of work produced during lockdown, the Rollington Barn exhibition near Corfe Castle is bursting with paintings, photography, prints, ceramics and greetings cards as part of the visual offering for Purbeck Art Weeks.

Alongside the collective exhibition at the barn, artists across Purbeck, including many in Swanage, are opening their studios for visitors to see them in action and browse their work.

Advertisement 
Pictures at Rollington Barn Exhibition
A sale of a print at Rollington Barn Exhibition
Cards at Rollington Barn Exhibition

On for two weeks

Cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic and then moved in 2021 from May to September, Purbeck Art Weeks or PAW as it’s affectionately known, is on for two weeks from Saturday 11th to Sunday 26th September 2021.

The Rollington Barn exhibition just off Studland Road near Corfe Castle provides a hub for the event, allowing artists to show and sell their art, before visitors are encouraged to follow the art trail across Purbeck, visiting the open studios.

Children's artwork at Rollington Barn Exhibition
Children's artwork at Rollington Barn Exhibition
Children's artwork at Rollington Barn Exhibition

Display of artwork by local school children

There’s also a display of artwork by local school children in a second barn across the courtyard.

Local artist Lucy Tidbury, well known for her animal paintings is exhibiting at Rollington Barn as well as in her shop, Lucy’s Farm in Swanage. She said:

“PAW at Rollington Barn is very special to me as it’s where I first got the idea for cow selfies and from there it all took off. So it’s great to be back – it’s a lovely community of artists and it’s nice to see everyone again and not be working alone in my shed.

“At Rollington Barn visitors get to see a bit of everything, with different artists with different styles. There’s also the pop up cafe so people literally get a taste of everything, including cake!”

Lucy Tidbury at Rollington Barn Exhibition

Artist Lucy Tidbury, owner of Lucy’s Farm in Swanage

Cakes at Rollington Barn Exhibition

Love Cake runs a pop up cafe at Rollington Barn

Roger Lockey at Rollington Barn Exhibition

Wareham artist, Roger Lockey with his work completed during the pandemic – he returned from Costa Rica a week before lockdown so had plenty of material to work from!

“About 500 pieces of work and it all needs labelling”

The barn is on a working farm, so before the art can be displayed, it has to be cleared out to make way for the exhibits. Behind all the organising of the exhibition is Seb McEwen. He explained:

“When I first got here there was a tractor in the barn, so that had to be moved and then it takes about a week and 20 volunteers to get all the display screens out of storage and display all the art – there’s about 500 pieces of work and it all needs labelling.

“One of the best things this year, I think, is all the new young artists that have submitted work. There’s a danger that as a regular event it could get a bit staid but that’s definitely not the case here. There’s work by Laura Butt, Jayden Capper, Charlotte Fereday – all new talented local youngsters.

“I’m absolutely delighted and really thrilled that the exhibition was able to go ahead this year – it’s nice to see people out enjoying themselves and as it’s an old barn it’s very well ventilated!”

Seb NcEwen at Rolligton Barn

Rollington Barn organiser Seb McEwen

Picture at Rollington Barn Exhibition

A patchwork dry stone wall by Laura Butt

Pictures at Rollington Barn Exhibition

Paintings and prints by Swanage artists Jo Porter and Ed Marriott

Free entry and parking

The Rollington Barn exhibition is just off Studland Road near Corfe Castle, postcode BH20 5JG. It is open 10 am to 5 pm until Sunday 26th September 2021 with free entry and parking.

Pictures at Rollington Barn Exhibition

New work by Swanage artist Paul Barron

Tree picture at Rollington Barn Exhibition

Tree of the week by David Browning

Pictures at Rollington Barn Exhibition

Watercolours by Swanage artist Linda Wallis

Two musical concerts

As part of Purbeck Art Weeks there are also two musical concerts in September 2021.

There’s the Youth and Community Concert at 7.30 pm on Friday 17th September 2021 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Swanage.

The second concert sees the Holywell Wind Trio performing at 3 pm on Sunday 19th September 2021 at St Edward’s Church in Corfe Castle.

Further information

  • More information about the artists taking part in the open studios and the Rollington Barn exhibition is on the PAW website
  • Tickets for the concerts can also be booked via the PAW website
Pictures at Rollington Barn Exhibition

Artwork by Swanage artist, Andy Knill

Map of the PAW open studios
Tony Kerins

Map of the PAW open studios

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

Actor Robson Green wraps Jurassic Coast filming for TV walk show Granchester star Robson Green has just finished three weeks filming along the Jurassic Coast from Studland to Lyme Regis in Dorset for a new eight part TV series which is ... 2 weeks ago Lookout for new attraction on Brownsea Island 3 weeks ago Studland luxury hotel plan refused by government inspector 4 weeks ago Fat fryer blaze destroys Swanage takeaway 1 month ago Music festivals cancelled as Swanage company goes bust 1 month ago

Most recent

Kindness of Purbeck keeps Tiff in the house her Jack built Generous fundraisers in Purbeck have delivered the perfect Easter gift to Swanage teacher Tiff Randall and her baby Hazel after their world was torn apart. 7 hours ago BBC war reporter Kate Adie on medical mission at The Mowlem 1 day ago Studland wildfire disrupts ferry service at start of Easter rush 2 days ago Plans in Swanage to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day 3 days ago Nature and wildlife fair returns to Wareham for third year 4 days ago