A behind-the-scenes research trip for IW Creative Network members on Friday 11th July 2025.
Join us on a special away day to Southampton for a unique mix of heritage, contemporary art, and creative insight. This free, curated day will include exclusive access to cultural venues, conversations with curators and creatives, and time to explore the city – all with Red Jet travel provided.
Itinerary:
11.50am Meet at West Cowes Red Jet terminal(Fountain Yard, PO31 7AR) Long stay parking available on Park Road. Bus links via M&S.
12.05pm Red Jet crossing
1.30–2.30pm: Southampton City Art Gallery(Commercial Road, SO14 7LP)Take a peek behind the scenes of the museum's refurbishment and explore their incredible art collection, a must for those interested in curation, heritage and conservation. Read more about Southampton City Art Gallery’s refurbishments here.
3.00–4.00pm: John Hansard Gallery(142 – 144 Above Bar Street, SO14 7DU)Dive into New World Order, John Hansard Gallery's (JHG) 2025 summer exhibition, exploring global identity, resistance, and community through powerful video, installation, and performance works by international artists including Mykola Ridnyi, Morgan Quaintance, Jumana Manna and more. To find out more about JHG’s summer programme, please click here.
4.00–6.00pm: Free time to grab some food
6.00–8.00pm: The Arches 20th Anniversary Exhibition at God’s House Tower(Town Quay Road, SO14 2NY)Reconnect with artists from our 2024 visit and get an insight into studio practice from Southampton’s vibrant Arches community. This exhibition marks 20 years of the Arches Studios in Southampton, established by ‘a space’ arts in 2005. To find out more about the exhibiting artists that will be attending the launch, please click here.
7.40 or 9.05pm Red Jet return to IW (optional return crossing time)
Details:
A max of x16 tickets are available to members of the network – all completely free, with ferry travel very kindly supported by Red Funnel!
We’ll meet at Cowes Red Jet terminal at 11.50am, catching the 12.05pm Red Jet crossing from Cowes. We will return on either the 7.40 or 9.05pm Red Jet, depending on how everyone feels, arriving back in Cowes by either 8.10 or 9.35pm.
There will be some walking between venues - all flat terrain and no more than 20mins at a time with rest stops in-between visits.
To book - please register via the Eventbrite link. Deadline to book: 1st July 2025.
