An artists’ island – the story of ArtHouse Jersey

As anyone who lives there will likely tell you, Jersey is an odd sort of place. It has a liminal, in-between quality – all islands do – but Jersey is distinctive in its character, a product of its history, geography and hybrid culture.

Jersey is a chunk of Continental Europe that tumbled off the cliffs of Normandy and made a break across the Channel, but didn’t get very far. It and its fellow Channel Islands came to England with William and the Normans in 1066, while the relationship came up for grabs again in 1204 as Jersey had to choose which side to back: Philip and France or John and England. They chose to remain loyal. The island has been a waypoint between two cultures ever since – somewhere that is both of the UK and proudly outside it. Not a country in its own right, nor part of another, but something else altogether.

It’s not really surprising, then, that artists, who revel in otherness and naturally operate in the space between reality and the subjective, should find Jersey’s own peculiar betweenness intriguing and inspiring. And it’s the landscape that seals the deal – rugged cliffs tumbling into sweeping bays, lush patchwork fields and the imposing ruins of castles, towers and forts.

In one such relic of Jersey’s past, the 1810 Greve de Lecq Barracks on the northern shore, stands the engine room of the island’s creative scene. ArtHouse Jersey, founded as the Jersey Arts Trust in 1993, has the challenging but rewarding task of amplifying Jersey’s creative voice across the Channel and beyond. Headed by Tom Dingle since 2011, the small team have their work cut out planning and delivering the annual programme of performances and exhibitions (both on-island and off); conceiving and coordinating outreach events aimed at nurturing Jersey’s community; developing individual artists through grants and residencies; and reaching out over the water to work with international artists, too.

Over in the UK, most people’s understanding of Jersey doesn’t extend much beyond the idea that it’s a remote tax haven where some of their Amazon parcels inexplicably seem to come via. Indeed, these headlines have overshadowed awareness of the island’s creative culture, making ArtHouse Jersey’s job even harder. The fact that Jersey has a creative scene at all will likely come as news to some.

“Jersey has a history of creative thinking in its adoption of various trades – from fishing to wool, flowers to agriculture, tourism and now finance – so there is an entrepreneurial spirit that runs through the ages. On a macro level, it can seem very money-focused, but on a personal level, there is a great variety of people – the ‘real’ community is warm, generous and offers wonderful hospitality. There is great pride in the island and a sense of frustration that many of its natural assets, history and character can sometimes be  put second to supporting immediate economic aspirations. People should be more aware of the brilliant artists and creatives that do emerge from the island, its rich history and folklore (ripe for artistic exploration), and the plethora of interesting spaces that could be brought to life through the arts. At this point there is so much untapped potential!” – Tom Dingle, director, ArtHouse Jersey

Over the last three decades ArtHouse Jersey has seen the island’s artistic culture evolve significantly, becoming more collaborative and outward-looking, more receptive to new ideas, and more understanding of both the intrinsic and economic value of art and artists. There is, however, much more for Tom and his team to do if the island is to shake off the shackles of its piggy-bank island reputation and get the recognition it deserves as a cradle of creativity.

Perhaps unexpectedly, Covid-19 has helped in some ways. Although the pandemic delayed aspects of the 2020 exhibition programme, prevented residencies and cut off income streams and sponsorship, it also forced the ArtHouse Jersey team to think on their feet and adapt fast. Among other things, they introduced online workshops with experienced artists, thereby introducing a creative outlet to the homes of Jersey residents in lockdown. They launched Skipton Forget Me Knots, a large-scale community project involving more than 3,200 Jersey schoolchildren, to help them navigate the emotional impact of Covid-19. And in April, ArtHouse Jersey hosted the Nineteen Day Drawing Challenge, inviting the entire island to submit a drawing related to the experience of living in lockdown (check out the gallery). These initiatives were specifically designed to help the island community in challenging times, but their impact has been significant.

“This year has seen us massively expand our online audience, grow our social media and have received lots positive feedback about our energy, adaptability and output. We have established new income streams, new audiences, new partners, more media coverage and even a new-found respect through the programme we have presented and the impact it has had." – Tom Dingle, director, ArtHouse Jersey

Now that the end may be in sight for Covid-19, ArtHouse Jersey is looking forward to launching its 2021 programme with renewed energy and determination, incorporating the lessons of lockdown to enrich and extend its activities, and continuing to tell the creative stories of the strange and inspiring island in between.

For more check out Arthouse Jersey’s website and follow them on Instagram.