Artizan Collective Geopark Artists Residency Exhibition

Beneath the familiar landscapes of Torbay’s beaches, cliffs, and historic buildings lies a deeper story—one written in rock, shaped by water, and held in the memories of those who have lived here for centuries. The Geopark Artist Residency Programme has invited four artists to unearth these narratives, responding to Torbay’s UNESCO Global Geopark through a six-month creative journey that has engaged with geologists, conservators, historians, and local communities.

Bringing together the works of James Murch, Laura Segan, Gill Melling, and Rachael Allain, this exhibition at Artizan Collective Gallery presents a collection of paintings, prints, photography, textiles, and installation that capture the hidden stories of our coastline, from its ancient geology to the fragile marine environments beneath the waves.

Each of the four residency artists has approached Torbay’s landscape from a unique perspective, uncovering connections between nature, time, and human intervention.

The Geopark Artist Residency Programme has been made possible by the Torbay Local Heritage Grant Scheme, with funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Torbay Council, and the Friends of Torre Abbey. The programme is a partnership between Artizan Collective CIC, Torre Abbey, and the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, designed to bring new artistic perspectives to the stories that define Torbay.

This showcase coincides with the Geopark Festival Weekend, celebrating the global significance of our UNESCO designation and its connections to heritage, environment, and culture.

We invite you to explore, reflect, and immerse yourself in these creative responses to Torbay’s extraordinary landscapes.