An exciting new exhibition hosted by Patch at Bobby’s in Bournemouth Square has sold out its opening night on Friday 21 March. Featuring local talent from Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, the popular event, organised and curated by Millie Lake, will also be open to the public on Saturday 22 March.
“This was an open call exhibition” Millie explains. “I shared the open call via social media platforms, so anyone could apply. The theme At Home was left open to interpretation, I invited people to reflect on the concept of home - a word that holds deeply personal, complex, and ever-changing meaning.
“I had over 90 submissions! And from those 90, I’ve chosen around 30 artists’ work to be in the exhibition showcasing a huge variety of artistic practices including painting, sculpture, embroidery, illustration, printmaking, and photography.
“Some are professional artists and makers, and some are students and alumni from Bournemouth’s universities. The resulting collection offers a rich tapestry of perspectives, with artists exploring themes of belonging, memory, identity, and place. From intimate reflections to bold interpretations, this exhibition captures the many ways home can be felt, seen, and imagined.”
Millie is an AUB BA (Hons) Fine Art graduate and works at TheGallery. In her role, she has assisted in curating gallery exhibitions and co-curating with staff from across the university on several projects and shows. In November 2024, she curated, as part of her own practise, the exhibition Orange the World at Bobby's Department Store in partnership with AUBSU and the charity Soroptimist International in recognition of the United Nations’ campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.
She is passionate about removing barriers that traditional galleries and museums impose to enable everyone, regardless of their background or familiarity with art, to engage with art and creativity in a meaningful way, Millie explains:
"To increase accessibility, it was free for artists to enter the exhibition, tickets are free for the public to visit, and there’s even a free drink on arrival on the opening night, thanks to organic soda brand, Karma Drinks.
"And to give back to our creative community, I’ve teamed up with Aberrations Collective, a group of final-year BA (Hons) Photography students from AUB, who will be running a print sale to fundraise for their upcoming graduate show in London.”
As well as co-curating major exhibitions, Millie also collaborates with local organisations to bring more art to Bournemouth and the surrounding areas, contributing to the regeneration of the high street and enabling creative businesses and individuals to flourish.
“After living in London for three years after graduating from AUB, I saw gallery lates and private views taking place all the time. I was inspired to create something similar here at home that would have a real buzz about it.
“I was so thrilled to have so many submissions in and then for the opening night to sell out so quickly too, it shows that Bournemouth is crying out for more events like this and that it is needed by both artists and the general local community.”
The At Home exhibition will run for the public from 10.00–17.00 on Saturday 22 March at Patch, on the first floor of Bobby's, Bournemouth town centre.
To find out more about this event and to book tickets, visit Millie's website.
