From rare silver medals to a 14m high mural, find out what’s happening in the county’s art and antiques world

Antique of the Month

By Tony Pratt of The Canterbury Auction Galleries

This rare silver medal, awarded to heroic Folkestone fisherman Albert Moore, marks his bravery in the rescue of stranded seamen aboard the Benvenue sailing ship which ran aground and sank in the hurricane-force gales that devastated the Kent coast on 11 November 1891.

The medal was sent for sale by Moore’s family and I am delighted to say it will stay in the town and go on periodic public display after it was purchased in one of our recent auctions on behalf of Folkestone and District Local History Society. It sold for an above-estimate £620.

Watched by a crowd standing helpless on the shore, a scratch crew of men including Moore launched the lifeboat and ultimately rescued 27 survivors who had clung to the rigging of their stricken vessel for 16 hours.

Sir Edward Watkin and directors of the South Eastern Railway later awarded £20 for the lifeboat crew and he also decided that a medal should also be awarded to each of the 34 men. They were presented by the Mayor, S. Penfold, on 1 January 1892.

Now the society is hoping further research will help piece together a picture of Moore’s life. Anyone with any information or photographs of him or his heroic comrades is asked to contact the society at folkestonehistory@btinternet.com or by telephone on 01303 223337.

To learn the historical significance and saleroom value of your antiques and collectors’ items, call the saleroom on 01227 763337.

Kent Painters’ Group

The Kent Painters Group held its first art show in 1990 to raise money for local mental health and learning disability charities.

This year KPG is hosting its 25th annual art exhibition and sale at Sevenoaks School from 30 October to 1 November and entry is free all weekend.

On Friday evening you can meet the artists between 6.30 and 9pm, while on Saturday and Sunday the exhibition is open 10am-4pm and coffee, cakes and light lunches will be on sale.

Of the 60 artists and sculptors exhibiting this year, there are a mixture of leading professionals and gifted amateurs, all of whom have a close affiliation with Kent.

This year’s charities are Fynvola, Mencap, Rethink and MacIntyre.

? More information on 01732 810338 or visit: www.kentpaintersgroup.co.uk

Street art

A 14m high mural designed by Canterbury visual artist and curator Patricia Wilson Smith has been installed on a new apartment development near the Regent Canal in Shoreditch, Hackney.

“It’s difficult to design for a vertical surface, but I was inspired by the story of a wartime event I found on a local history website which told of a bombing disaster at the Wenlock Brewery during the Blitz,” says Patricia.

Some of the brewery workers were trapped and discovered their one escape route was through small glass gratings set in the pavement above.

“They formed a human pyramid to climb to safety. The image of the human pyramid caught my imagination: symbolising teamwork, co-operation and human strength. In recent years the human pyramid has been a symbol for celebration and cooperation. What better motif for a new building merging out of the recent years of austerity and financial insecurity?”

Patricia’s design was translated from a digitally rendered original into specialised mineral paints by mural and mosaic artist Gary Drostle.

Patricia’s other public works have been for the foyer of the new Marlowe Theatre and for the Wind Farm company Vattenfall at its Ramsgate offices.

IN BRIEF

At the races

After a long absence, a regular antiques, collectables and vintage fair is once again coming to Lingfield Park Racecourse on the borders of Kent and Surrey. With two dates in 2015, the first on 4 October and the second on 6 December, Love Fairs promises up to 90 indoor stalls offering antiques, collectables and vintage items.

Open: 10.30am-4pm, admission £3 (£5 for Early Bird entry), more information at: www.lovefairs.com or 01293 690777.

Bless this work

A selling art exhibition taking place at the church of St Peter and St Paul, Shoreham TN14 7SB from 9-11 October will feature works by 22 local artists across a range of disciplines, including paintings, jewellery, sculpture, glass, books and illustrations, wood carvings, cross stitch, silk paintings and an installation of moving image and photography.

Entrance is free, open: 10am-5pm daily.

Going solo

Kent Fine Artist Caroline Grant is holding a solo exhibition at the Somerset Maugham Gallery at The Horsebridge Centre in Whitstable from 9-20 October.

The gallery is open Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm (Sun 10am-5pm), call 01227 281174 or visit: www.horsebridge-centre.org.uk

Craft in focus

The Sevenoaks Contemporary Craft and Design Fair organised by Craft In Focus is returning to Sevenoaks School from 23-25 October. The event includes several local makers such as blacksmith Michael Hart from Horsmonden, jeweller Mantra Design from Sevenoaks and Moth and Mirror from Ightham, who produce gilded objects.

? Open: Fri 12pm-5 pm; Sat and Sun 10am-5pm. Admission £4, accompanied under 14s free. Venue: Sevenoaks School, Sevenoaks TN13 1HU.

Further information on 01622 747 325 or visit www.craftinfocus.com