This new organisation is being established to safeguard and retain Folkestone’s artistic heritage in the locality.
The impetus for its formation stemmed from the recent closure of the Metropole Gallery and the proposal to dispose of the collection of paintings and other art works of local interest built up since it opened in 1961.
Many of the works are by Royal Academicians associated with the town, some of whom are now highly regarded.
The Metropole Gallery had been well supported by a substantial body of Friends, but their number had become sadly depleted in recent times. It was the rump of the membership that was determined to retain the collection assiduously built up under the guidance of its original curator, Prof John Eveleigh, and the patronage of Sir Kenneth Clark, latterly Lord Clark. He had been Director of the National Gallery and was famed for his BBC1 ‘Civilisation’ series.
In modern times The Metropole Arts Centre Trust Ltd has concentrated on developing the Creative Quarter to regenerate the depressed harbour area of the town, and although it is a major patron of new work, its historic collections are no longer a core part of its activity. However, rather than dispose of the existing collection, it has been agreed in principle that the newly formed Friends of the Folkestone Collections should take charge of it for the time being and arrange periodic exhibitions of the works.
It is also intended that other collections, should they become available, could be incorporated within this new organisation.
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