The South West’s biggest celebration of art, people, culture, and place returns for its 15th year, from Friday 26th – Sunday 28th September!
Arts by the Sea Festival is one of Bournemouth’s most colourful and joyous weekends. With diverse music, dance, large-scale installations, street theatre, and many more intriguing spectacles, the festival is as unique as it is celebratory!
The festival is open to all, and aims to be inclusive and accessible to everyone. The event takes place across Bournemouth Town Square, Lower Gardens, the Pier Approach, and of course by the sea!
This year is the 15th edition of Arts by the Sea, following its launch in 2011. The festival celebrates all the incredible diversity that Bournemouth has to offer, by bringing cultural experiences to the centre of Bournemouth.
The theme for 2025 is We Are Here! The theme proposes to bring together residents from all over BCP, and amplify their voices. It promises to be a bold celebration of community and creativity, demonstrating the power of place and local homegrown talent.
There will be both national and regional acts to uplift and inspire visitors, via dance, parkour, theatre, and even a mass sing-along! Over 100 artists will transform Bournemouth into a vibrant cultural playground.
Photo by James Bridle, from Arts by the Sea Festival 2022
Local Artists for 2025
The festival provides a variety of opportunities for local artists and emerging talents, supporting their creative development.
The Artist in Residence this year is Gabrielle Parker, a Bournemouth-based illustrator and AUB graduate. Gabrielle will be working alongside 2024’s Artist in Residence, Rebecca Strickson, to create a brand new, unmissable installation!
Emerging Sculptor, Bob Brewer, has been named the Associate Artist for the festival this year. He has been selected to create a major public artwork piece. The Bournemouth-based artist only began working with sculpture in the last six months, but he is set to deliver a striking installation. A towering hand formed from woven willow, will rise from the earth, representing welcome and unity.
Bob Brewer – Associate Artist
The Associate Artist Programme exists to showcase under-represented artists and artforms, providing development and mentoring to expand their practice in a new environment, in this case, the public eye. Brewer’s commission is a perfect fit for this programme, as he shifts his artistic practice and brings it to life through public pro-creation.
“I come from a background of painting and animation – quiet, solitary practices,” Brewer explains. “Working in willow sculpture is a new direction that’s felt immediate and necessary. This opportunity to develop a piece with and for the community is transformative. It’s not just my hand – it’s everyone’s.”
Dorset’s weaving heritage
The sculpture is set to be constructed live on site in the gardens, during the festival week. The eight-foot willow sculpture will hopefully serve as a beacon for festival goers.
With a background in environmental work and a growing interest in rural crafts and folklore, Brewer’s approach blends material tradition with contemporary storytelling.
The piece will feature details dyed in yellow – symbolising illumination and innate creativity – and draw from Dorset’s weaving heritage. The title and full design will be revealed in the coming months.
Community participants will help to shape parts of the work through hands-on workshops, embedding local voices into the artwork itself.
Andrea Francis, Festival Director Arts by the Sea, said: “Bob is exactly why we created the Associate Artist role. Their work speaks to the spirit of the local area – resourceful, grounded and imaginative. To go from picking up willow six months ago to shaping one of the festival’s centrepieces is a story of sheer potential.
“We’re thrilled to provide this platform for emerging, place-based talent. It’s thanks to the support and funding from BCP Council that we can make events like this possible – showcasing the Council’s commitment to vibrant, inclusive culture for all.”
Cllr Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Customer and Communication at BCP Council, said: “Arts by the Sea continues to be a beacon of creativity and community spirit across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. We are especially proud to champion emerging local talent through initiatives like the Associate Artist Programme, which this year shines a well-deserved spotlight on Bob Brewer.
If you are interested in attending this free event, you can find more information at artsbythesea.co.uk