New exhibition space opens at Highdown Gardens in Worthing

Highdown Gallery has opened in the visitor centre of Highdown Gardens, near Littlehampton Road in Goring.

The new space will allow artists to display their work with a floral backdrop for years to come.

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Worthing Borough Council said the new gallery was made possible after a donation from Worthing Community Chest, an organisation that helps fund activities and opportunities that will benefit the community.

The funds have been used to transform parts of the visitor centre into an exhibition hub by installing a professional wall-hanging system for artwork to be displayed.

More information about the gallery can be found at https://highdowngardens.co.uk/highdown-gallery/.

The gardens and gallery will be free and accessible thanks to a project paid for by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to preserve the legacy of the garden’s creator Sir Frederick Stern, as well as his wife Lady Sybil.

A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said: “Creatives can now exhibit their work among Worthing’s unique collection of picturesque plants thanks to the launch of a new exhibition space at Highdown Gardens.

“The gardens have long been an inspiration for artists and photographers, with their beautiful collection of rare flowers, trees and shrubs from all over the world.

“Following the creation of a new space, named Highdown Gallery, creatives, as well as art and craft groups, can now present their work surrounded by the stunning display of Worthing’s much-loved and free-to-access chalk gardens.

“Highdown Gardens is home to a living library of rare and exotic plants thanks to the work of its creator, Sir Frederick Stern, who, along with his wife Lady Sybil, hired plant hunters to go on dangerous collecting expeditions around the world.

“The pair purchased and swapped thousands of seeds and cuttings, all with the aim of creating an incredible collection of their own at their chalk gardens on Highdown Hill.

“Following Sir Frederick’s death in 1967, the gardens were passed on to Worthing Borough Council, which has carefully managed the collection and grounds since.”

The gallery’s first exhibition will feature the floral portraits of art photographer Steve Gallagher who will be presenting his work from May 14 until May 26.