October may be here but the first week still sees warm weather as we head into a sunny weekend. Make sure to embrace these last few days of warmth and sunshine. This month always evokes a feeling of nesting and gathering for me. The air changes and becomes slightly cooler in the mornings. We look to nustle in and cosy on up in warm sweaters. Sweeping up those golden leaves and preparing ourselves for Winter feels like a ritual we enjoy. We are blessed with nature and countryside on our doorstep which means Autumn walks around Hampshire are always lovely this time of year. Appreciating food that has been grown and harvested, I always love Autumn recipes and if you want any inspiration, have a look at one of the tags for food or Autumn.
Planning cultural things to do for the month in Southsea and Portsmouth, I can see there is so much choice. See what might take your fancy.
Saturday 30th September – 12th November Peace Doves – Chichester Cathedral
Join artist Peter Walker in an immersive installation this Autumn. This artwork is made up of fifteen thousand individually handmade paper doves which are suspended above the Cathedral’s historic Nave. Each dove contains a message of peace, love and hope, written by local community groups, schools and members of the public.
Peace Doves is an artwork that has been re-curated for different spaces as it tours the UK. Adaptations have been seen in many Cathedrals including Rochester, Liverpool, Lichfield, Derby and Sheffield. A lovely way to spend a couple of hours and you could explore the area and have refreshements close by at one of the nice independent cafes that are there.
Portsmouth Printmakers -Thursday 5th October – 17th October – Jack House Gallery – Old Portsmouth
The Portsmouth Printmakers are back for their annual display of work offering a wide and eclectic selection of printmaking talent. Open daily during this period from 10am until 5pm and offers the viewer a chance to browse around Portsmouth’s finest exhibitors. With 25 artists to choose from, a lovely exhibition to attend.
Withnail And I – 7th October – No6 Cinema – Historic Dockyard
The 1987 classic film heads to No6 Cinema this month and a perfect film to watch on the big screen! Two out-of-work actors – the anxious, luckless Marwood and his acerbic, alcoholic friend, Withnail – spend their days drifting between their squalid flat, the unemployment office and the pub. When they take a holiday “by mistake” at the country house of Withnail’s flamboyantly gay uncle, Monty, they encounter the unpleasant side of the English countryside: tedium, terrifying locals and torrential rain. Cult comedy classic at its best.
Makers Market – 8th October – Southsea Castle
A monthly exhibition and sale of original artwork from local artists, designers, makers, and crafters. With a selection of work on offer, including paintings and prints, sculptures, and jewellery, there’s something for every taste.
Free entry to the museum with The Courtyard Bar & Restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, tea. Dogs are welcome to the exhibition and restaurant.
Hotwalls Studios – Monthly Open Studios – 14th/15th October – Old Portsmouth
Saturday the 14th October brings a new ceramic market in the Round Tower as part of the open studios weekend. Drop by and soak up the atmospheric location with ceramicists work on display.
Sunday the 15th sees the resident artists open their studios. Opening their signatory doors allows this row of artistic spaces to showcase some of the city’s brightest creative talent. With a range of artists and designer makers working in our studios, you will be able to watch artists at work and purchase or commission professional pieces. The Canteen cafe will be open for food and cake and it is a perfect place to stop after a nice walk along the seafront.
Jordan Gray – Is It a Bird -18 October – New Theatre Royal
Fresh off a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, a historic performance at The London Palladium and a game-changing set on Channel 4’s Friday Night Live, the UK’s premier transgender comedian returns to take on babies, boobies, bigots and Batman in this blistering music and comedy show.
Andrew Cushin – 22nd October – Wedgewood Rooms – Southsea
Maybe you will be recovering from a tender head on this Sunday from the Reytons gig at the Guildhall but if not this is a great gig to get yourself down to. The Newcastle singer-songwriter brings his indie guitar vibe to Portsmouth, having supported Sam Fender in 2021 and is definitely one to go see.
Mini Art Trail – 21st/22nd October – Southsea
Local artists have joined forces to create a mini art trail around Southsea. They will be opening their homes and also displaying work at the Corner Collective and St Swithuns Church. Walk around and explore amazing works by Southsea Eyes, Lyn Nichols, Roo Abrook, Miesje Chafer amongst many other talented creatives and artists. Ian Parmiter will be opening his antique doors too and there will be a great buzz around town.
Platform Graduate Award Exhibition – 13th October -23rd October – Aspex Gallery -Gunwharf Quays
From photography to textiles and sculpture, this multi-disciplinary group exhibition will showcase the region’s most exciting emerging artists, as they kickstart their artistic careers having recently graduated.
Tickets are free but you have to book in advance at busy times.
Six Feet Forward – 13th October – 22nd October – Artspace Portsmouth – Brougham Road
Korean artist Jisoo Jit Seo brings his thought provoking exhibition to Artspace this October. The exhibition will showcase a selection of recent and new works by Jit Seo exploring humanity’s relationship to technology in today’s rapidly developing digital world, and how this relationship is reflected in the art we create and consume.
Art is currently undergoing a significant shift driven by artificial intelligence, a key technology of the fourth industrial revolution. This technological advancement challenges traditional notions of human creativity and calls the distinction between human-made and AI-generated art into question. Through her work Jit Seo explores concepts such as post-humanism, which blurs the boundaries between human and machine, and new aesthetics that arise from the integration of technology.
