BOTTLE ALLEY ART MARKET ’25
Bottle Alley Art Market 2025
Held on Saturday 23rd August | 10am–6pm | August Bank Holiday Weekend
The third edition of the Bottle Alley Art Market (BAAM) welcomed thousands of visitors to Hastings’ iconic modernist promenade for a vibrant day of art, performance, and community spirit. With over 70 artists exhibiting, the event offered an eclectic mix of creative work — from emerging talents to established names selected from the 182 applicants with this year’s guest curator Lorna Hamilton-Brown.
Among the standout exhibitors were 12-year-old newcomer George Butler and the family of Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Manoilo, whose powerful work was sent especially for the event in his absence due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. They were joined by returning favourites such as Katherine Reekie and Peter Quinell — the latter selling a piece to none other than comedian Harry Hill.
Live portraiture was a major draw again this year, with artists Tula Parker and Xinchu Zhang producing pen, ink, and pencil portraits in 15 minute sittings. Keira Rathbone returned with her distinctive typewriter portraits, offering a unique twist on traditional seaside art.
Performance art brought an unexpected magic to the 500-metre alley as Jude Montague, Caroline Gregory, and Cate Brick traversed the walkway in tall hats, chiffon and tiny bells — a mesmerising spectacle that delighted and confused in equal measure.
Local history took centre stage once again with Cinque Ports Radio DJ and academic Andre Palfrey-Martin. His beloved ‘Ask Andre’ installation returned with an enhanced setup, giving visitors the chance to learn more about Bottle Alley, its architect Sidney Little, and the rich heritage of Hastings and St Leonards.
Music played throughout the day, beginning with a DJ set by Morning Glory host James Endeacott (Soho Radio), followed by an esoteric selection from Flowstate’s TomTom. Ska and reggae rhythms came courtesy of Mik Whitnall (Babyshambles), before local DJ Chabala closed the day with her tropical-infused global sounds.
Mid-afternoon, the alley came alive with a high-energy performance by local post-punk free jazz legends Simon and the Pope & Friends.
For 2025, BAAM also expanded its decorative footprint along the promenade, showcasing flags, windsocks, and sky-hangings by Jemima Dury, MEW, and David Harris — made possible through generous donations and support from UK Bamboo Supplies, Flashback Tapes, Lee Filters, and Rosco Filters.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all our amazing volunteers — from manning tills to artist support, painting the alley, and helping with setup and takedown. This event simply wouldn’t run without you. We are endlessly grateful for your energy and commitment.
Be the First to Hear About BAAM 2026
Join our mailing list using the link at the bottom of the page, and follow us on Instagram at @bottlealleyartmarket for updates, announcements, and side projects throughout the year.
2025 PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
Abi Moffat/ Adrian Cox/ Alexandra Ffion/ AmbitiousOutsiders/ Anne-Marie Watson/ Annie Lawson/ ANTI-PERFECTION/ Arno Rupert Maasdorp/ Ben McDonald/ Bobbi Merrifield/ Caroline Macey/ ChicaAzulArte / Chris Wright/ Christy Taylor/ Dave Reading DLR/ Dee Harvey/ Dialer/ Elaine Mullings/ George Butler/ Giles Round/ Grow Up/ Haus of Lucy/ Jasmine Harper-Jones/ Joan Glasgow-Ashton / Jon Jon Renouf/ Judith Douglas / Katharine O’Brien/ Katherine Reekie/ Kathleen Foley / Katie Ray/ Keira Rathbone Typewriter Artist/ Kit Claughton/ Kristin Watt-Bonar/ Laura Ferry/ Leah Germann/ Leslie J Moran/ Lewis Floyd Henry/ Lookie Eyes/ Luciena Howard/ Lucy Taylor/ Luke Garvey/ Madeleine Smith/ Mark Fisher/ Mat Riley/ MEW/ Mike Williams/ Morokoth Fournier/ MossWood/ Nicola Jackson/ Oleksandr Manoilo/ Peter Quinnell/ Robert Horsley/ Rory Farragher/ Ross Domoney/ Rossanne Pellegrino/ Sanders de Roeper/ Scott Garrett/ Shona Waldron/ Show Pony/ Shuby/ Sophie Malpas/ Stuart McIntyre/ Susan Diamond/ The Unwelcome Collection/ Thom Kofoed/ Tom Ormond/ Tristan Lathey/ Tula Parker/ Vanessa Fowler/ Wallpaper by deborah bowness/ Word to Bossman/ Xinchu Zhang/ Young Creatives Collective/ ZEEL
Photography by Caitlin Lock
BOTTLE ALLEY ART MARKET ’24
SATURDAY 17TH + SUNDAY 18TH AUGUST 2024 10AM > 6PM
We made the decision to bring the Art Market forward to avoid clashing with all the other events happening on the August Bank Holiday weekend in Hastings and St.Leonards. The market ran over 2 days, had a bar hosted by Three Legs Brewery and a performance area called ‘The Last Bastion’ featuring bands and DJ’s throughout the weekend. The BAAM team’s objective was to create two very different days through the curation of exhibitors/ sellers/ performers and music. 110 artists showed and shared their work to the 12,500 visitors to the alley over the weekend. We worked with 4 young people from the De La Warr Pavilion’s programme ‘Talent Accelerator’ which gives young people opportunities to gain experience in the creative industries, as artist liaisons for the day they helped set up and take down the event, supported artists if they need a break and worked on the tills giving them valuable insight into the duel aspects of the market. Another first for BAAM ’24 was the inclusion of a local history area hosted by Hastings Museum Archivist and local historian Andre Polfrey Martin who invited people to ‘Ask Me Anything!’ relating to Bottle Alley, it’s designer Sidney Little or about Hastings and St.Leonards in general. The set up was an amazing success with visitors having front line access to sit with Andre, take their time and learn more about the town, it’s history and it’s community. Andre was bowled over by the positive response and hunger for knowledge, he has subsequently hosted further Q&A sessions at venues around town, noteably being invited by the local refugee community.
A BAAM’24 SUCCESS STORY + ARTIST FEEDBACK
BAAM 2024 played a role in allowing some artists the first chance to show and share their work with the public, to great success. For the team, this is the main purpose of the market to help launch careers and allow artists a platform to build confidence in what they produce and the opportunity to talk directly to investors in their talents. Self-taught artist Ibi Meier-Oruitemeka, (Studio IMO), is a case in point, Ibi only started painting in May 2024 and so the art market was the very first time she had presented her work to the public and within a week she had sold all of the work she had produced in the initial 4 months of her career, leading up to the market. Her second collection of work presented online sold out within and hour and the next within 15 minutes. Ibi has subsequently held a solo exhibition in the high repected Big Yin Gallery in St.Leonards on Sea and contributed to 2 group shows in London. This for is what makes BAAM for us, the stories we can share and role it can play in helping artists realise their potential.
“I took part in BAAM 2024, prior to that I had not shown my paintings to anyone as I’d only been painting a few weeks.
I had an amazing experience with an overwhelmingly positive response to my art. Bottle alley was the launchpad that has allowed me to transition into full time painting. The event was brilliantly executed and the vibe of the weekend was amazing. I’m extremely grateful it exists, I had so much fun there, met many wonderful artists and look forward to seeing it’s return to our seafront.”
Ibi Meier-Oruitemeka
“It was a brilliant experience and atmosphere, BAAM was great exposure for me as an unknown/new artist and has definitely been instrumental in getting my artworks seen by a wider audience which has in turn enabled me to become a working artist. So grateful to BAAM for this.”
“BAAM is a wonderful event and brings together artists, art lovers and buyers.”
“The organisation was excellent.”
“I really enjoyed it and thought it was amazing to get so many artists together. Well done.”
“Both years I have done it it was equally enjoyable and finantially worth doing. I really hope it continues.”
“I feel it’s now recognised as an annual event and very much anticipated.”
“It was a massive boost both financially and in confidence for me after months of not selling any work. I thought the event was incredibly well organised and had a very positive vibe. It was also nice to support the nearby food sellers and a unique experience to gaze at the sea all day!”
“It was really great to see and connect with other artists and so many buyers! I really liked the introduction on instagram of each artist before the event.”
“It was really good, I hadn’t actually done an in person market for a good number of years, but BAAM really made me want to do more, it was such a nice experience.”
“Very well organised and very reasonable commission”
“Unique event with very high footfall”
“I think it’s the best I have been to. Because it was pure art.”
“Better as being in public space, customers not intimidated into entering ‘exhibition’ space,
also lots of people visiting from further afield”
“I thought it was very well organised, done in a kind way to artists, the zoom ahead of the event was helpful, not just to be prepared for the space, but to put faces to the names of the organisers. There was help when we were there. I loved the location especially as it was fine weather. The people were really friendly.”
“Unique! Incredible footfall all day long unlike other events. I thought there was a good mix of artists and quality artwork and everyone felt friendly rather than competitive.”
2024 PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
Ade Peachment/ Adeleh/ Alexandra Ffion/ Andrew & Eden Kotting/ Andy Young/ Arno Rupert Maasdorp/ Barrie J Davies/ Bob Dobbs/ Carson Parkin-Fairley/ China Girl UK/ Chris Wright/ CreativeHolder Art and Cards/ Dee Harvey/ Denise Felkin/ dlr_print and pensionersonecstasy/ Ella Guru/ Emma Hundleby Artist/ Emma Oak/ Euan Roberts/ Fanny Fielding/ Fletchartz/ Glint/ Grow up/ Harry Mcmorrow/ Haus Of Lucy/ Ian Land/ Ian Viggars/ Inktron/ Jennifer Gow/ Jon Jon Renouf/ Judith Douglas/ Keith Waller/ Khadija Khan/ Kit Claughton/ Leah Germann/ Leroy Henry/ Lucy Taylor/ Mastolf and Mastej/ Mat Riley/ Michelle Mildenhall/ Moth Lagoon/ Ollie Place/ Phil Goodsigns/ Project Art Works/ Real Fake Brand/ Rebecca-Claire/ Ross Domoney/ Sarah Milne/ Screen Prince/ SHUBY/ Simon March/ Sinéid Codd/ Stella Dore/ Stuart McIntyre/ Studio_imo_art/ Tom Bartlett/ Tula Parker/ Vanessa Fowler/ Xinchu Zhang/ zeroh/ Alex Leadbeater/ Alice Platt/ Anna Maria Nabirye/ Annie Lawson/ Benjamin S Lees/ Bill Greenhead/ Christina Drust & Carol Wortley/ Clare Mitchell/ Connor McNeilly/ Dale Matthews/ Donna Richardson (D4rt15t)/ Drew Copus/ Eagle Raven Wren/ Esme Fisher/ Gresty/ Holly Searle AKA The Subversive Stitcher/ Joan Glasgow-Ashton/ Julia Maddison/ Katherine Reekie/ Keira Rathbone Typewriter Art/ Lesley Bellenger/ Liam Ball Sculpture/ Lucie & Indigo/ Luke Garvey/ Madeleine Smith/ Maria McClafferty/ Marie-Louise Miller/ Mark Fisher/ Matt David/ Miss Marvel Art/ Morokoth/ Mrs Luva-Luva/ Nina Lilli Holden/ Oddhouse/ Paul Marsh/ Peter Quinnell/ Photographers’ Print Co-operative/ Rachel Karasik/ Richard MacAree/ Robert Sample/ Robin Holtom/ Sanders de Roeper/ Sarah Evans/ Scott Garrett/ Show Pony/ Sophie Malpas/ Sue Fairbanks/ Susan Diamond/ Susie ‘Suzko’ Lowe/ The Mudworks/ Tommy Fiendish/ Tristan Lathey.
SATURDAY PERFORMERS: Simon and the Pope/ Jude Montegue & Charlotte Gregory/ DJ’s Japhy/ Riz Maslen (Air Cooled / Neotropic)/ Mark Day/ Si + Marley Cole SUNDAY PERFORMERS: Mystic Shed/ Brothers Bulah/ Chimer/ DJ’s ZEROH/ Flowstate
Photo credit: Gatkuoth Juach (Talent Accelerator)
BOTTLE ALLEY ART MARKET ’23
The inaugural BOTTLE ALLEY ART MARKET was held on August Bank Holiday Saturday 2023
8,000 people walked the 480m of Bottle Alley over the 8 hour duration of the market. Over 800 artworks were sold by the 60 artists, selected from the 110 who applied to take part. The feedback has been overwhelming positive and there is an appetite for more to come.
Sign up to the BAAM newsletter to get early bird info on BAAM plans and be first to find out when applications are open again for the next Bottle Alley Art Market, link below.
2023 Participating Artists:
JJ Waller/ Mel Elliot/ Sinéid Codd/ Inktron/ Joan Glasgow Ashton/ Katherine Reekie/ Dee Harvey/ Vanessa Fowler/ Susan Diamond/ Vincent Oyenga/ Nina Cosford/ Mastolf & Mastej/ Thomas Bartlett/ Kath Foley/ Scott Garrett/ Charlotte On Sea/ Kirsten Iles/ Pete Fowler/ Linda King/ Kit Claughton/ Emma Oak/ Judith Douglas/ Sophie Barnard/ Matthew Collier/ Dale Matthews/ Richard Best/ Ade Peachment/ Babes In Arms/ Studio Picnic/ 55 Prints/ Duncan Sangster/ Michelle Mildenhall/ Moth Lagoon/ St Leonard’s Art School/ Phil Truthbouys/ Alexandra Ffion/ Hares Hoard/ Project Art Works/ Clare Mitchell/ Edward Burnand/ Ruby Honey Dadson/ Hastings Art School/ Robin Holtom/ Stella Dore Gallery/ Euan Roberts/ Neonita/ Georgia Sawers/ DLR/ Abraham.O/ Lee Eelus/ Shuby/ Mew/ ORNAGH/ Project 78/ Anna Maria/ Real Fake/Liam Ball/Cut It Out Studio
DJ’s on the day:
Konnekted Kollektive/ James Endeacott (Soho Radio)/ James WVR (Sonics, Cosmic Whip)/ Japhy/ Marley & Si Cole/ Riz Maslen (Neotropic, Aircooled)
Thanks to:
Trade Paints/ Leyland Paints/ Knights Interiors/ Hastings Hire/ GP Promowear/ JJ Waller/ Martel Print/ Japhy/ Robert Sample/ Ben Rymer/ Kirk Towlson/ Mathew McDonnell/ Gillian & James Endeacott/ Kym Byford @TalentAccelerator/ Jemima Dury/ The Bunting Bees/ Stirling Security Services.
BAAM Team 2023: ZEROH, Steph Warren @StellaDore_Gallery, Gina Hewitt @Hell-Yeah!, Sophie Barnard @Rug_Puncher with additional help from Ben Rymer @Rymerverse
Photos: Marie Richardson/ Steph Warren/ Martin O’Neill
” So happy this was such a great success, congratulations to all involved! I had a wonderful time and really really pleased with the sales and such lovely people came by my stall. Some brilliant chats and fantastic artwork on show when I did go for my toilet breaks. Really appreciate the swift accounting of my sales. Huge thanks to all the team for making it such a great day, couldn’t have wanted for more really.”
Artist: Pete Fowler
“THANK YOU !!!!!
I was blown away with the whole day……. It was a STELLAR EVENT
Your planning was excellent: – pitches were generous for a stall and felt good – good width for (so many!) people walking through the alley – ingeniously thoughtful rope dividers / hanging systems – well designed sales process (though I forgot to ask for the receipt from most peeps! but I made a list) and having several sale points was good – good plans for dropping off work – perfect weather!!”
Artist: Sinéid Codd
“I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to be involved in the first ever BAMM, it felt so special and the start of something super exciting.
Everyone, (buyers and sellers) just had the best day and it’s all thanks to you all.
It was TOP!”
Artist: Mew
Artist: Euan Roberts, Big Yin Gallery
Artist: Linda King
“I found the day positive, and the atmosphere was good – Nothing that I would change actually and the turnout was amazing (weather helped) and it was well publicised too.A successful event.”
Artist: Kit Claughton
We will never lease, distribute or sell your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or the law requires us to.
Any personal information we hold about you is stored and processed in line with the General Data Protection Regulation 1998 and GDPR