Exhibition: PRIDE PAINTED

The Plough Gallery is committed to creating inclusive opportunities in the arts and ensuring that all members of our community are represented and celebrated. 

We are excited to announce an Open Call opportunity exclusively for LGBTQ+ artists in celebration of the Bideford and Barnstaple PRIDE marches happening in 2025 to mark Pride month. The marches are being organised by Sunrise Diversity - full details here

This opportunity is supported by Arts Council England.

On Wednesday 4th June we will host an open space from 2 - 5pm for members of the community to share news of current projects and promote activities being planned to mark the Pride marches. If you are a costume designer, painter, mixed media artist or have artwork to share then please email the Curator - Grace Rodgers grace@theploughartscentre.org.uk All abilities are welcome to display work. This year the global theme for PRIDE 2025 is 'The Fabric of Freedom' - so textile works, such as costumes and fibre-arts are particularly welcome!

PROGRESS PRIDE BANNER 

We are delighted to be hosting the Pride Progress Banner - it consists of over 200 colour-coded fabric squares, submitted by members of the community following an open call led by The Burton at Bideford. Together, the squares create the Progress Pride flag: a symbol of love and inclusivity. The Progress Pride flag is a modified version of the traditional rainbow pride flag, incorporating additional stripes to represent marginalised communities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. It includes stripes for transgender individuals, people of colour, and those affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The final piece is a collaboration between The Burton’s community outreach groups, individuals and other local groups.

Groups: The Burton Youth Collective; The Burton Sewing Bee; Brave Spaces; Learn Devon (at Bideford Library); Out in the Country LGBT+ Social Group; Bideford Pride Youth Workshop.

Individuals: Liz Wilde, Hazel, Ally, Alison, Sue, Helen Cooper, Toni Rance, Brett Richmond, Craig Moule, Sally, Rosie, Matt Davies, Aaron Bennett, Judith Swindell, David Harries.

There is a deep history between LGBTQIA+ rights and patchwork, most importantly perhaps in the AIDS Memorial Quilt. This quilt was started in 1985 by human rights activist Cleve Jones, with each block of the quilt dedicated to someone who has died of AIDS. It includes nearly 50,000 panels dedicated to more than 110,000 individuals; an epic memorial which would cover the area of the National Mall in Washington DC if it was laid out.

The UK version of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed in the Turbine Hall of the Tate Modern, London, from 12–16 June 2025.

The Plough recognises that artists identifying as LGBTQ+ often face systemic barriers in accessing opportunities within the UK art world. The Plough aims to address these inequalities and dedicate this platform to amplify the voices and creative talents within the local LGBTQ+ community.

Work can be dropped to the gallery between 3pm - 7pm on Tues 3rd June or 10am - 4pm on Weds 4th.  

All abilities are welcome to display work, so join The Plough in celebrating PRIDE 2025!