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Dorset Art Weeks 2026 Illustrator TONY KERINS is based at SANDY HILL ARTS (venue 108). His work ranges from picture books to maps to theatre sets and lots in between. A selection of A6 ‘everyday’ drawings going back to the 1980s will be available to leaf through, as well as landscapes in watercolour pads and drawings of rehearsals for the annual show at Swanage School. One of the themes running through this year’s event is a concern with the destruction of the environment and the damage to wildlife and ancient landscapes. Contributing to this, KEVIN MOORE (venue 160) will be showing studies of insects. These are not small intimate studies, they are loosely painted oversized paintings of dead wasps, bees and bluebottles. Eye catching and attention grabbing, these works draw attention to their subjects’ vulnerability in a changing climate where toxic weed-killers and sprays are still used in farming practices. FLORA ROBERTS (venue 243) is a designer whose luscious wallpapers feature fl owers and plants which she paints directly from life. Occasionally she has to tweak her paintings in order to fi t the images into repeat patterns. “I love following the seasons, because I have an intrinsic belief that nature knows best and the right colours are presented to us at the right time if we look.” Another mother and daughter combination, Flora will be showing both DORSET ART WEEKS 2026 • 5 paintings and wallpapers alongside her mother ANNE ROBERTS’ paintings. At Sladers Yard (venue 183) in West Bay ALEX LOWERY is showing new paintings. Still predominantly featuring his poetic response to West Bay he continues his focus on the abstract shapes of roofs and buildings using vibrant yellows and purples. Also on show will be ceramics by Dorset based Japanese born studio potter YO THOM and steam-bent furniture by PETTER SOUTHALL. Also in West Bay, RUTH PIPER will be showing paintings alongside drawings by LIZ COXFORD (venue 185). Both artists respond to their surroundings focusing on the woods and hills, beaches and the coastline. Working on a ground of Paynes Grey - one of the most delicious blue black pigments out there - Ruth’s paintings of trees, fl ora and fauna have a moody darkness which is both mysterious and melancholy. TONY KERINS (VENUE 108) BRIAN BISHOP (VENUE 1 + 2) OLIVE WATKINS (VENUE 22) *EVOLVER_149_SB.qxp_Evolver_2025 14/04/2026 20:09 Page 23