This summer, Portland and Weymouth’s Towns of Culture 2025 brings a creative adventure to our seaside towns with Free Art Friday, a weekly art treasure hunt by local artist Charlotte Pascoe. Running throughout August, Free Art Friday hides original artworks and art prizes in iconic local spots, with clues posted each week on social media. Families, residents and visitors are invited to join the hunt, explore our beautiful coast and green spaces, and connect with the community through creativity.
Every week, 51 art prizes will be hidden in accessible, well-maintained public spaces:
- 25 full-colour glossy postcards
- 25 waterproof vinyl stickers or black-and-white ‘colour your own’ postcards
- and an original, signed, mounted artwork.
The project invites people not only to collect the pieces but also to share their own drawings, photos, and memories on social media, further connecting the community through creativity.
Charlotte explains: “Putting on BSide the CSide Free Art Friday has been so exciting, fun and rewarding. I have never done a project like this before, the support has been overwhelming. It’s been incredible to be able to share my art with my community, and possibly across the world!
I have loved getting out and exploring some of the wonderful beauty spots we have locally, it’s reminded me how lucky I am to live in Weymouth & Portland. Our access to green and blue spaces is something that is easily taken for granted when you live here, I have loved seeing all the nature on my doorstep.
Though doing this project I also feel I have gotten closer to my community. While setting up the scavenger hunts, I’ve had the opportunity to chat with so many people and have even made new friends.
Free art Friday has provided me and so many others with joy, creativity, adventure and community. I would have never been able to do it without the support of local people of all ages and the project funders.”
Rocca Holly-Nambi, Director of Towns of Culture Project Management at b-side, comments: “Charlotte’s Free Art Friday is a wonderful example of how creativity can inspire people to engage with their surroundings in a playful and meaningful way. It’s a celebration of our seaside heritage, of summer traditions, and of the joy of finding something unexpected. We’re thrilled to support a project that brings families and communities together outdoors, enjoying art in the places that make Portland & Weymouth so special.”
All printed materials will use recycled paper and recyclable wallets, and leftover or unfound items will be distributed to local schools and preschools – ensuring the project is environmentally thoughtful as well as culturally enriching. Free Art Friday has been supported through the Reveal Launchpad Grant, part of Portland and Weymouth’s Towns of Culture 2025 programme. Follow Charlotte’s project and the weekly clues on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to take part.
REVEAL – A Year of Culture, Connection and Celebration
From traditional crafts to contemporary performance, REVEAL is unearthing the talent and stories that make Portland and Weymouth special. Reveal – Portland and Weymouth Towns of Culture 2025 is a partnership between 12 cultural organisations from Portland and Weymouth and is funded by Portland Town Council, Weymouth Town Council, and Arts Council England. It aims to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in cultural life.
To see more information on Towns of Culture 2025, please see: https://www.portlandweymouthculture.com/
