https://www.ventnorcalling.co.uk https://www.ventnorcalling.co.uk/from-seafront-to-phone-box-ocean-art-comes-to-ventnor Dive into our latest installation, featuring colourful marine artwork by Alice Malia and Laura Hathaway. Inspired by the waters around the Isle of Wight, two illuminated banners bring the Spiny Seahorse and Corkwing Wrasse from Ryde’s seafront to Ventnor Calling. <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> Colourful marine-inspired artwork from Ryde’s Appley Seafront finds a new home inside the Ventnor Calling kiosk. </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> <span> Our current installation features two illustrated banners, created from a collaborative project between the two artists Alice Malia and Laura Hathaway. </span> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> <span> The 2025 project saw them paint colourful ocean inspired murals to transform 14 weather-worn concrete seating shelters that stretch along Appley Seafront in Ryde. </span> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> The two artists worked alongside marine biologist and underwater photographer Theo Vickers to transform each shelter into a ‘place of connection, creativity and environmental learning’. The murals encapsulate the importance of local marine species and the coastal habitats they’re supported by. The completed spaces now provide a relaxing and inspiring social space for everyone all year round. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> <span> The banners created from this project feature the shy Spiny Seahorse and the colourful Corkwing Wrasse which have now been installed in the Ventnor Calling kiosk. The banners are also illuminated at night allowing you to see them at any time of day! </span> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> A huge thank you to our fellow K6 Kiosk, Re:box at Lind Street in Ryde, who originally displayed these artworks, for allowing us to showcase them again in Ventnor; in particular for their generous help in manufacturing the frames needed to display the banners. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> For all the latest updates from Re:box and the artists, find their links below: </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> <span> Re:box - @reboxryde on Instagram </span> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> <span> Alice Malia - </span> </span> <a href="https://alicemalia.com/" target="_blank"> https://alicemalia.com/ </a> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> <span> Laura Hathaway - </span> </span> <a href="https://www.laurahathawayartist.com/" target="_blank"> https://www.laurahathawayartist.com/ </a> <span> <span> </span> </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> </div> Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:36:57 GMT https://www.ventnorcalling.co.uk/from-seafront-to-phone-box-ocean-art-comes-to-ventnor stories thumbnail main image https://www.ventnorcalling.co.uk/our-first-exhibition Step inside Ventnor Calling and discover how a restored telephone kiosk is becoming a tiny space for local stories, art and heritage. Our first exhibition explores Ventnor’s telephone history, from the famous Hello Girls to the people who kept Ventnor connected. <div data-rss-type="text"> <h3> <span> To coincide with the Ventnor Fringe Festival, we're delighted to launch our first exhibition inside the kiosk. </span> </h3> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> This inaugural display celebrates the history of Ventnor's telephone network and the people who kept the town connected before the digital age. Discover the story of our 1936 K6 telephone box, meet Ventnor's famous Hello Girls, read memories from former engineers and exchange operators, and explore the evolution of Britain's iconic telephone kiosks. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> The exhibition also looks beyond the kiosk itself, featuring the Carron Company that manufactured it, other public call boxes that once served Ventnor, and personal recollections that bring this remarkable period of local history to life. </span> </p> <p> <span> <br/> </span> </p> <p> <span> This is the first chapter of Ventnor Calling, with many more stories, exhibitions and creative installations still to come. </span> <span> <br/> </span> </p> </div> Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:14:43 GMT https://www.ventnorcalling.co.uk/our-first-exhibition stories thumbnail main image