Metropole Art Collection

The Folkestone Art Trust is a non-profit group, formed to safeguard and manage the art collection acquired by the Metropole Gallery. The gallery’s governing body, the Metropole Arts Trust, evolved into the town’s ‘Creative Folkestone’, which is primarily concerned with the regeneration through art of the areas in and around Folkestone’s old harbour. Part of the Trust’s role is to ensure that the work in what is now the Metropole Art Collection is frequently on view, a commitment kept by curating regular exhibitions.

The Arts Centre originally opened to the public in September 1961, the most prominent protagonists, amongst many, were Sir Kenneth Clark, (later Lord Clark), and later its main financial benefactor was Roger De Haan. However, much credit should also be given to local artist John Eveleigh, a friend of Kenneth Clark who was instrumental in persuading many of artists to donate works to form the Metropole's outstanding collection. It was also Eveleigh who organised many exhibitions at the gallery, bringing its existence to a wider audience.

Distinguished patrons included Henry Moore and John Piper. Since then the collection has expanded to include works by Edward Ardizzone, Peter Blake, Sandra Blow, John Bratby, Robert Buhler, Bernard Dunstan, Elisabeth Frink, Gertrude Hermes, Blair Hughes Stanton, Morris Kestleman, Eric Mellon, David Oxtoby, Victor Pasmore, John Piper, Lucien Pissarro, Orovida Pissarro, Michael Rothenstein, Julian Trevelyan and Carel Weight to name but a few of the 20th-century artists who have made a significant contribution to British art.