A week long art show is taking place in Swanage, Dorset, offering a diverse exhibition covering all kinds of subjects and mediums but all linked by a passion for painting.
The Swanage Painting Club’s exhibition of work by local artists at the Catholic Church Hall on Rempstone Road opened to the public on Saturday 25th July 2026 and continues daily from 10 am to 5 pm until Sunday 2nd August 2026.
Andy Palmer’s Positive Pop art to raise money for Purbeck cancer support charity Cancare
Positive Pop art raising cash for Cancare
Around 30 artists are displaying hundreds of pieces of their work this year, and many of the names will be well known in Swanage.
Admission to the exhibition is free and visitors are welcome to browse the display of paintings, cards, and models, or even make a purchase as much of the work is available to buy.
But one of the collections has a particularly moving story behind it, after club member Andy Palmer received a cancer diagnosis in the past year.
He has put together a collection of acrylics drawing on the work of graffiti artist Banksy, and is selling his Positive Pop paintings to raise money for Purbeck cancer support charity Cancare.
Two examples of Andy Palmer’s paintings, inspired by Banksy art with his own life affirming messages
“A life affirming message”
In a moving message to exhibition visitors, Andy Palmer said:
“I have been painting in watercolour since 200, purely as a hobby, then moved to Swanage 16 years ago and joined Swanage Painting Club in 2020.
“I started painting in oil paints, mainly landscapes of the local area, and won best painting in show in both 2024 and 2025.
“This year, though, following a cancer diagnosis, I have concentrated on painting in acrylics with a summer theme of positive graffiti, which I hope people of all ages can take a life affirming message from.
“All art pictures in the series are in the style of art legend Banksy, with various cartoon characters, and all profits from the sale of the pictures will be donated to Cancare.”
Sandford artist Suzy Wright was guest judge at this year’s exhibition
“So many excellent paintings”
The competition has been judged this year by Sandford artist Suzy Wright, who said:
“There are so many excellent paintings on show, and in such a wide variety, it is really hard to choose winners!
“In the end, it has to be what appeals to you as a judge, what the picture is saying and what jumps out at you.
“I have done judging in the past, though not for a little while as I have a two year old and life has been a little chaotic for a while! But if you are a creative like me, you have to create – I just have to be strict about the times I work.”
Hundreds of pieces of art are on display at the 2026 Swanage Painting Club exhibition
“Love turning pictures into works of art”
Suzy added:
“I do heavy ink drawings which I then put watercolour or acrylic on, and then turn my art into stitched pieces.
“My work starts its process with lots of painting and sketches which I call drafts and ends up with a thick, very tactile stitched piece. I use hundreds of threads and build up the layers.
“My work is always heavily influenced by the natural landscape and inspired by nature – especially vegetables! – and love turning my pictures into works of art.
“I always leave threads on my work and I let the fabric distort. What I love about this process is the way the material and stitch moves together.”
Swanage Painting Club winners with judge Suzy Wright
Winning artists 2026
- Jean Matthews – Derek Charter Award
- Julie Hixson – Highly commended
- Caroline Hussey – Best mixed media
- Lesley Clark – Best oil
- Ann Beesley – Best acrylic
- Emma Gotch – Best watercolour
- Sue Brummitt – Best pastel
- Jayne Ashton – Most improved artist
Barry Goulding took his inspiration from Old Harry
Emma Gotch painted what she saw in Wareham woods
Mary Gwilliam was inspired by a Swanage sunrise
New members always welcome
Swanage Painting Club was founded in 1968 to give enthusiastic amateur artists a platform, as the only other art group at the time was the Purbeck Group of Artists which was less inclusive.
The club meets on Thursday mornings from September to May at the Catholic Church Hall, breaking for the summer but always holding an exhibition for Swanage Carnival week – the first show being held all the way back in 1974.
New members are always welcome to the club, whether beginners or experienced painters, and there is always help from established members happy to share their knowledge.
Club member Jayne Ashton with the raffle prize donated by Linda Wallis
There are plenty of cards to buy at the show, created by local artists
Art models on display include these wise wooden owls by Denise Horn
Pop up art event is new for ’26
This year, the club is trying something new this year, giving visitors an opportunity to create art at a pop up event with landscape and wildlife artist Julie Hixson, at the Catholic Church Hall on Saturday 1st August 2026, with hourly sessions running from 11 am.
Group sizes are being kept to a maximum of five people, meaning places do have to be booked in advance, and a £6 charge is being made to cover materials.
The club is also running a raffle during the week with tickets at £1 each, for a landscape watercolour being donated by chair of the Swanage Painting Club, Linda Wallis. The winner will be drawn on Sunday 2nd August 2026 at 4 pm.
Swanage Painting Club’s exhibition runs for a whole week with plenty to see
Further information
- More about the show are on Swanage Painting Club‘s Facebook page
- To book a session of the pop up event contact Julie at hixsonjuliel@gmail.com
