Masterpieces Coming to a Street Near You

 
This summer, the streets of St Helier will be transformed into an outdoor art gallery for a unique exhibition.Famous masterpieces from Jersey’s national art collection will be exhibited for the public to enjoy in the centre of town thanks to a partnership between Jersey Heritage and Sure.The Sure Street Gallery in Partnership with Jersey Heritage will be on show for four months from 28 May to 28 September. During that time the heart of St Helier will be transformed into an al fresco gallery to exhibit 12 actual size copies of some of Jersey’s most famous paintings, and a loan from The Tate in London of The Death of Major Peirson, by John Singleton Copley.The Director of Jersey Heritage, Jon Carter, said the aim was to allow the public – islanders and visitors – to have easy access to artworks in unusual locations and, at the same time, awaken the public interest in art."Jersey is blessed with a national art collection of the highest quality and we want to show everyone how fortunate we are. By taking the collection out to the public and exhibiting paintings in unusual locations, we want to encourage islanders to appreciate the value and beauty of art that exists in our community. We are grateful to Sure for their enthusiastic support and to The Tate for its generous loan," he said.The paintings - including A Jersey Lily by Sir John Everett Millais, and Blue Square by Richard Allen  - have been reproduced as high-resolution images and set in specially manufactured frames to be fixed to buildings such as BHS, the Post Office in Broad Street and the Central Market. Each will be accompanied by an interpretation panel with a commentary phone line that people can call to hear a personal appreciation of the painting by prominent individuals led by the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache, and the Lieutenant-Governor, Lieut-General Andrew Ridgway, and including actor, John Nettles, Mike Stentiford, The Constable of St Helier, Simon Crowcroft and racing pundit ‘Honest’ Nev Ahier. It is hoped that the exhibition will appeal to a broad audience, and to assist that process leaflets will be available from the Jersey Museum, Sure store and other distribution outlets, containing a map of the Street Gallery and prize draw competition with questions drawn from the artworks and commentary.Gregory Jordan, Sure’s Channel Islands Commercial Director, said:“This is an exciting opportunity for all Islanders and visitors to view some of the paintings which we hope one day will reside in Jersey’s own national gallery. The personal interpretations of these paintings also make this a very interactive and personal experience, which was what drew us to support this unique Jersey project.”The Bailiff will unveil the images on 28 May following a reception at the Town Church.