Art exhibition at North Sea Observatory explores stories of coastline

Eighty ‘beautiful and intriguing’ paintings and artwork featuring the coastline are on show at the new observatory at Chapel Point. Artistic director for the By The Sea exhibition Biff Vernon said he was delighted with the response - with 257 visitors on the first Sunday. “Since then there has been a steady trickle midweek but the weekend has been very busy. “To be able to hold it in this beautiful building is a bonus. There is now a destination along the coast where there didn’t used to be.” The exhibition has emerged from Marcus Vergette’s Time and Tide Bells - one of which is to be placed at Mablethorpe, focusing on the social stresses that climate change and sea level rise may bring. It was sponsored by the Lincolnshire Coastal BID. Among the paintings was one by Mark Watkins of Louth, inspired by Sonsand Lovers by DH Lawrence, who used to holiday at Mablethorpe. An exhibit of stone art was also on show by Shona McArdle, who was spotted after building structures with pebbles on the beach at Chapel St Leonards. “Most art has a story behind it which could interest people who might think it is not for them,” said Biff. Among the visitors on Wednesday was Nancy Ashmore, who lives nearby and had taken her great-grandparents Doreen and Robert Barnes, who were celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. “When the plans for the observatory came in we were worried because it was so big. But now we feel so lucky because it is beautiful. We are really enjoying the exhibition.” The free exhibition at the North Sea Observatory, in Chapel Point, is open from now until Sunday, November 25, 10am to 4pm each day. For more details visit www.bit.ly/BellBytheSea