24 The Post • Harbour House


attend a workshop or class. This community centre ethos makes it a safe place for support groups, because as there is always a lot going on, more private appointments can remain below the radar. We have a suite of rooms for use by therapists, which are perfect for private, one-to-one sessions and small groups.” Despite her busy schedule, Alison kindly takes


time to conduct a tour of the Harbour House premises. We start at the top, on the second floor, where a cosy landing gives no hint of the two spacious, light and airy rooms that open off it – the Tapas Room, popular as a Yoga and exercise area, and the beautiful high-ceilinged, raftered Art Studio, a light, contemplative space for inspiring artists. Also on the top floor is a self-contained, totally private Meeting and Meditation suite, with two rooms and a kitchen area, perfect for support groups and therapists. There is also the Akasha Room on the first floor, a pleasant, comfortable room for counseling sessions and one-to-one meetings. On the first floor, the Harbour House Café


occupies a bright generous space to the rear with a balcony overlooking the art gallery as well as steps leading down into the pretty, sun-trap courtyard garden. But incredibly, there is still space for another large, calm-aired room to the front, the flexible Amrita Room, ideal for both yoga classes and as an alternative art workshop studio. But the piéce de resistance has to be the newest addition to these impressive facilities; the Spanda Studio, a spacious, ground floor yoga room overlooking the Harbour House garden. This light, inviting yet tranquil space would inspire any reluctant exerciser to take up a yoga mat immediately, yet up until a few years ago it emitted a very different aura. “The Spanda Studio used to be the old scout hall. Anyone


who knew it in those days would find it hard to believe that it’s been transformed in this way!“ We finish our tour in the ground floor art


gallery, where I am treated to a sneak preview of the imminent Open Exhibition. It is most impressive, not only because of the enormous amount of talent on display, but also in the way the individual artworks and pieces have been carefully selected and grouped, so the exhibition flows easily around the walls in subtle changes of colour, mood and texture, reflecting the ever-changing seasonal cycle of trees, their contexts and environments. It looks effortless, but as Alison explains, the hanging process is one of the most difficult challenges facing any potential exhibition, the success of which is often dependent on how the artworks are grouped and displayed. “We always invite two artists to be selectors with us”, she explains. “We assess every piece of work carefully to make sure it matches the conditions of entry. Sometimes, if the connection to the theme is not obvious we need to read the artists notes to understand their objectives - it could be that their angle is unusual and thought-provoking. Sometimes we mix media – a photograph of trees may work best with paintings of similar hue and mood. But it’s a painstaking process to achieve – we’ve all had lots of headaches!” While we were there, several would-be viewers


rattled the locked doors in the hope of gaining admission. Alison smiles her regrets - just a few more days of waiting to go. I’ve no doubt that 'Trees' is going to be as popular with the viewing community as it is for the artists exhibiting.•


“Trees” Open to the public from 19th March. www.harbourhouse.org.uk


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