The Cove: A special pop-up exhibition at Hastings Contemporary

HOT’s Judy Parkinson spoke to Louisa O’Shaughnessy, learning coordinator at Hastings Contemporary about The Cove: Against the Tide – a pop-up exhibition about to open of work by students from The Cove – the Special Educational Needs facility at St Leonards Academy.

The Cove: Against the Tide will showcase the work of 25 students, aged 11-15 years, inspired by four gallery visits and creative workshops over four months. Each student worked on an individual piece and a collaborative group work. Inspiration for the pop-up show is the Foreshore Gallery installation, The Sun Feeds The Wind, created by a team of local artists with the neighbouring beach-launched fishing fleet using a mix of video, soundscape and sculptural elements which was itself funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Students have the chance to work towards an Arts Award, a national qualification accredited by Trinity College London and Arts Council England designed to help learners under 25 of all levels and abilities. Beyond earning a recognised arts qualification, the project is designed to help students build confidence, step outside their comfort zones and engage in learning beyond the classroom.

“The students on this course might struggle in a traditional school setting and this award is a valuable alternative educational provision,” according to Louisa O’Shaughnessy.

“Along with exploring the current exhibition the students explore ideas, equipment and artforms they might not have otherwise experienced, such as cameras, sewing machines and collage, all of which open new avenues of expression. 

“We’ve seen confidence grow during the project. There’s a whole spectrum of needs. Some students are very quiet and introverted at the beginning, but they gain new social skills, make new friends, learn how to collaborate, how to listen and be listened to.

“A surprise hit was with a group of Year 9 boys (age 14) who were really enthusiastic in the embroidery workshop. They’ve made a banner which features hand embroidery. And one student told me they’ve decided to take GCSE photography as an option after enjoying it on the project.”

A select group of 10 students will curate and design the exhibition of work in the ground floor foyer which will include a sculptural sound installation, photography, cyanotype printing and collage, and the students’ exploration of their artistic identities will be evident to every visitor.

This is the second Cove partnership between Hastings Contemporary and St Leonards Academy. The Cove 2025 is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Cove, Against the Tide:  Ground floor foyer, open to the public from Wednesday 25 June to Sunday 29 June (Students and their families will enjoy free gallery entry to view and celebrate their work.)

Undersea: Until 14 September 2025
The Sun Feeds The Wind: Until 14 September 2025

Hastings Contemporary
Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW
Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays
11am to 5pm (last entry 4.40pm)

www.hastingscontemporary.org  @hastings.contemporary

All photographs by Clare Hughes

Also in: Community Arts