About the Friends of the Towner
Previously linked with the Towner Art Gallery in the Old Town, The Friends are now proud to be linked to the new Towner gallery which opened in April 2009 and is becoming a leading cultural organisation in Eastbourne. Already we have over 670 members and this number is increasing now the new gallery is open.
Although closely linked with the Gallery and Eastbourne Borough Council, The Friends will continue to be an entirely independent organisation. Its principal objective is to support and assist the Towner and to encourage and foster the appreciation of the arts in Eastbourne by the organisation of meetings, exhibitions, concerts, lectures and other related activities. It will give priority to the visual arts but will also continue to promote a wide range and varied cultural programmes, as it has successfully done in the past. Thus art, music, literature, and poetry will feature prominently in the programme of organised events.
These events, along with an annual subscription, generate financial support for the Towner. The numbers of the events staged will depend upon the wishes of its members and the support they are prepared to give.
Patron - The Duke of Devonshire
President - The Worshipful Mayor of Eastbourne
Recent Events throughout 2011
- Dr Geoff Quilley - Treasures of the National Maritime Museum
- Brandy & Beer - Jazz evening with Robert Fowler and Karen Sharp
- Helen Rufus Ward - Wonderful things, Byzantium through its Art
- Maggie & Nicholas Rankin - Writing & Fighting
- Anna Goodhew Sings
- Richard Leach's Seven Stars of Jazz
- Nigel Llewellyn
- Elizabeth Muir-Lewis on Peter Grimes
- Mark Pomeroy - A History of the Royal Academy of Arts
- Bella Tromba - The Music of Six Centuries
- Spats Langham with The Keith Nichols Trio
- David Battie - These are a few of my favourite things
The Friends stage a wide range of cultural events. Please see the events section for more details on future events.
The Towner is open six days a week. Come and visit the spacious galleries in the state-of-the-art building. Whilst there, why not enjoy refreshments in the scenic café with its panoramic views over the Downs. Visit the Towner website for further details.