Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is proud to be a part of this year’s Arts by the Sea Festival, the South West’s largest free celebration of art, culture, people and place.
With three AUB stands in the heart of Bournemouth Gardens, festival goers can come and meet students, try out a live selfie booth, learn how to love the rain, and take part in interactive games and live art while finding out more about what to do with different plastics.
Alice Stevens, Senior Lecturer on BA (Hons) Graphic Design at AUB is showcasing her latest project, Pluvilore (meaning rain stories), funded by HEIF through AUB’s Innovation Studio.
She'll invite the public into a listening circle of audio umbrellas, where they can hear joyful, personal memories of rain collected from people who live, work or study in Bournemouth. The project aims to reframe rain not as an inconvenience, but as a sensory presence that shapes our lives.
“This is the latest project in my Weather-kin series, developed as part of my practice-based PhD," Alice explains. "I’m excited to see how people respond to the audio umbrellas, what feelings and memories they spark. I’ll be capturing these reactions as part of my research, exploring how the interventions can shift our relationship with British rain.”
On the main AUB stand, alumna Daisy Kate will bring all the fun of a photo booth with the quirks of an artist with her live portrait offering.
She says, “Bring your friends, come on down, and get a live portrait memento of your day at Arts by the Sea!”
The third AUB stand is from the University’s PlastIC Research Centre, which is pairing up with the Innovation Studio and Circular11, a local company who recycle hard-to-recycle plastics.
On what visitors can expect, Oli Moore, Research Centre Officer, explains, “We’ll be teaching and guiding visitors through some interactive games and live art, demonstrating our place in the lifecycle of plastics, all using beach plastics found on Bournemouth Beach.
“The PlastIC Research Centre only launched this January, and we're really excited to be engaging with our local community for the first time – it's such an essential aspect of our endeavour as a newly forming research institute. It's the beginning of a relationship where we get to show the public everything that we're working toward, producing, or having an impact upon!”
Continuing the AUB theme, BA (Hons) Illustration alumna Gabrielle Parker was named Artist in Residence at this year’s festival, with her bold illustrations and technicolour characters shaping this year’s festival identity.
Gabrielle says, “Having lived, studied and grown as an artist in Bournemouth, it feels incredibly special to be part of a festival that celebrates everything I love about this community; its vibrancy, its creativity and its spirit of self-expression.
“I can't wait to bring my world of strange, surreal characters to life and invite audiences to immerse themselves in playful, vivid spaces where everyone can revel in who they are.”
Councillor Andy Martin, portfolio holder for customer, communications and culture, adds, “It’s a pleasure to be collaborating with Gabrielle this year. Her passion for Bournemouth and her extraordinary creativity will bring a unique energy to this year’s event.”
“Arts by the Sea is one of the region’s proudest cultural events, bringing people together in joyful, inclusive and inspiring ways. The 2025 line-up reflects the vibrancy and creativity of our community while showcasing incredible talent from right here in Bournemouth to across the UK and beyond.”
Arts by the Sea is a free festival that brings together large-scale spectaculars, diverse music, intriguing installations, dance, street theatre, participatory experiences and much more, in one unique celebration. Founded and delivered by BCP Council (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole), the festival receives regular funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.
"This year’s programme celebrates what makes Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole so special – creativity, diversity and community spirit," says Andrea Francis, Festival Director. “Bourne to Love will be a landmark moment for Arts by the Sea, but every act on the line-up contributes something unique to the theme WE ARE HERE. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to experience it.”
For more information and the full schedule of events, visit the Arts by the Sea website.
