Quay Arts Celebrates 50 Years of Creativity, Community and Culture on the Isle of Wight
This year, Quay Arts proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades at the heart of the Isle of Wight’s creative and cultural community.
Since opening its doors in 1976, Quay Arts has become a much-loved hub for artists, performers, audiences and visitors alike — a place where creativity thrives and communities come together.
To celebrate this milestone, Quay Arts will host a special Birthday Weekend on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August, bringing the building to life with a vibrant programme of music, art, dance, comedy, circus and much more. The free celebratory weekend will welcome the whole community to join in the festivities, with something for all ages to enjoy.
The celebrations will continue with The Centre Exhibition, running from Monday 27 July to Sunday 13 September in the West Gallery. This special exhibition will offer a unique opportunity to explore the story of Quay Arts through a rich timeline of artworks, archive material and personal voices from those who have shaped the organisation over the past fifty years.
“Turning 50 is a milestone we’re proud to celebrate with a vibrant birthday weekend of music, theatre, comedy, poetry, circus, dance & more and an exhibition that reflects the spirit of Quay Arts. We’re calling on everyone who’s been part of our journey to share their memories and help us capture the legacy of this remarkable creative hub.”
- Del Seymour, Centre Manager
Quay Arts 50 Illustration by Charlotte Ager
To celebrate our 50th anniversary, illustrator Charlotte Ager created a special commemorative illustration inspired by her personal connection to Quay Arts. Having grown up on the Isle of Wight, Charlotte holds many fond memories of time spent here, making her contribution especially meaningful. Her artwork captures the spirit of Quay Arts and celebrates its place at the heart of the Island's cultural community over the past five decades.
Now based in London, Charlotte Ager has worked with globally recognised clients including Google Design, The Guardian, The New York Times, Financial Times, Penguin Random House and WeTransfer. Despite her international success, Charlotte’s connection to Quay Arts began in childhood, when her mother worked at the centre as Educational Officer.
“The Quay Arts has played an extremely important part in my life. Since my mum started there working as the educational officer when I was a child, organising workshops and summer schools, it became an important backdrop to mine and my sister’s life.
We would go to every drop in session, be flung in last minute to make up the numbers for workshops at Jubilee Stores, watch wonderful plays and performances, experience a whole plethora of art as we hung around impatiently in the galleries, waiting for my mum to finish work or to pick something up or to check in on a workshop when we were meant to be going to the beach.
I learnt to weave baskets, make jewellery, work with ceramics, print fabrics, draw from life and even have my first taster of illustration at the Quay. The shapes, smells and feelings of all the spaces are etched into my mind, the many jacket potatoes and slices of carrot cake eaten in the cafe!
I am extremely grateful for all the wonder it gave me as a child, a real delight in creativity and expression that has stayed with me. It is a vital space to give people access to that feeling, however that may manifest for each individual, thank you to everyone who has made that possible throughout these 50 years!”
- Charlotte Ager -
The beginning…
In 1974, a group of Island artists, inspired by painter Anne Lewington and graphic designer Nigel Lewington, set out to create a dedicated arts space for the Isle of Wight. Their aim was simple but ambitious: to showcase local talent and bring outstanding art from beyond the Island to new audiences.
They found potential in a row of disused brewery warehouses on Newport’s quayside. By 1976, a steering committee had formed, and the buildings were secured by the Isle of Wight Council—marking the first real step towards making that vision a reality.
What followed was a huge community effort. Volunteers cleared years of debris, fundraisers rallied support, and crucial grants helped begin restoring the building—laying the foundations for what would become Quay Arts.
1996 - 1997
By the mid-1990s, Quay Arts had already become a much-loved creative hub—but there was a vision to take it even further.
After over a year of planning and consultation, exciting news arrived in December 1995… Quay Arts had secured major funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England! In January 1996, celebrations followed as a ceremonial cheque for over £1.1 million was presented—later boosted by additional funding to support even more ambitious improvements.
To make this transformation possible, an incredible network of support came together. Local organisations, partners, and supporters all played their part in securing the future of Quay Arts.
Building work began in November 1996—and in true Quay Arts spirit, creativity didn’t stop. The centre stayed open throughout, with exhibitions, performances, and a temporary café continuing to welcome visitors.