Art competition to capture 'loveliest skies in Europe'
The Minnis Bar and Restaurant in Birchington and the Walpole Bay Hotel in Cliftonville, Kent have joined forces to hold an art competition that will run throughout the summer.
Walpole Bay Hotel owner, Jane Bishop is a trustee of Margate’s new Turner Contemporary art gallery, inspired by JMW Turner who described the north facing skies over Thanet with "dawn clouds to the east and glorious sunsets to the west” as “the loveliest skies in Europe”. The beach front Minnis Bar & Restaurant overlooks the golden sands of Minnis Bay in Birchington, with coastal views towards the ruins of the Roman fort at Reculver.
The competition to capture Minnis Bay in painting or drawing is open to everyone, with four age categories; 5 and under, 6 to 12 years, 12 to 18 and over 18s. Entry costs £1, with all proceeds being donated to the RNLI. Entry forms are available at both the Minnis and Walpole.
“We ran a competition for three consecutive years, attracting over 500 entries annually, but not since 2008,“ said Minnis co owner Carly Freedman who runs the restaurant’s front of house operations. “The opening of the Turner Contemporary has motivated us to revive it.”
Historically, the Minnis’ art competition attracted entries from children largely in the 5 to 8 year group, but Carly Freedman and Jane Bishop hope that the publicity surrounding the a gallery open will attract more adult artists to the area.
The competition is open now and will run until 7th October 2011. Winners in the children’s categories will receive lunch at The Minnis for and an overnight stay in a family suite for up to 4 people at The Walpole bay Hotel. The winner of the adult section will receive lunch or dinner at The Minnis and a room for two people at The Walpole. Winners will be announced in time for families to take prizes during the schools’ half-term holidays at the end of October.
“With so many entries of a high standard, judging has always problematical, but with Jane Bishop’s connections in the art world, we expect to have a leading artist cast a professional eye over the finalists,” said Carly.
Carly’s husband chef-patron Jason Freedman added, “One entry that did stand a few years ago in contrast to all the pictures of kite surfers, sunsets, boats and imaginary sea monsters, some with incredible detail, was that by a young boy who depicted a range of scenes of himself killing his sister in a variety of gruesome methods.”
The Minnis, which has long been popular with families has a take-away service for those who wish to have their lunch on the beach and operates a kiosk selling beach toys, inflatables and boats, snacks, seafood and an ice creams in the summer months.
The Walpole Bay Hotel, described as a “living museum”, has long been popular with visiting artists and is Tracey Emin’s favourite place to stay when she returns to her hometown. The dining room has permanent display of original works of the leading artists who have stayed there. As a trustee of the Tuner Contemporary, Jane Bishop has a special interest in for children’s education.
Minnis began life as a beachside café in 1934. Today the long sandy beach enjoys prestigious Blue Flag status. It enjoys unparalleled views over the Kent shoreline and the Roman fort at Reculver, where the Barnes-Wallace's bouncing-bomb was tested. The stunning skies at sunset have attracted many artists over the years, most famously JWM Turner, in whose honour the new Turner Contemporary gallery opens in nearby Margate April 2011.
The restaurant hosts a number of live music events.
There are 72 covers in ground floor restaurant, 20 in the bar, 50 upstairs (which is available for private dining. The al fresco area is the biggest in England – 4 miles long – and has a dedicated take-away service for those who wish to have their lunch on the beach.
Children are welcome with their own annual; drawing competition and have access to a large stock of beach toys, inflatables and boats and an ice cream kiosk in the summer months.
Open: 7 days a week, 10am – 11pm
Build just before the First World War extended in 1927, The Walpole Bay Hotel now being lovingly restored to her former glory by the Bishop family. It was built by Louisa Budge and stayed in her family until 1995, before being acquired by the Bishops. The caged 1927 Otis Trellis lift, serving all 5 floors, is the centrepiece of reception.
Sunday lunch, with musical accompaniment from Nick Capocci on a 1908 Marshall & Rose Piano costs £19.95 a head. Cream teas are served daily.
The range of accommodation includes doubles, four posters and family suites ranging from £65 to £115 per night including breakfast.
Tourist information: visitthanet.co.uk
The Minnis Bar & Restaurant, The Parade, Birchington, Kent CT7 9QP - theminnis.co.uk
Walpole Bay Hotel, Fifth Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent CT9 2JJ - walpolebayhotel.co.uk
