The Garden @ Art Space was started in April 2008 when ASP artists, Jane Kilford and Adrian Mundy, were tidying the tarmac area to the side of the building and thought that it would make a great space for a garden. It was a slow start but really got going in December 2008 when ASP were awarded £500 from the local PATCH fund and a free skip from Lift & Shift. A group of people got together to help clear the site and wooden planters were made and filled. During 2009, more planters were made, other pots planted and the garden burst into life and full of colour. It must have looked good because we were awarded 3 prizes at Portsmouth in Bloom and South & South East in Bloom.
In the following years, helped by more donations, and money we have raised ourselves from plant sales, the Garden has continued to grow and is now a little oasis in the middle of the city centre. The Garden is opened to the public for events during the year including our Annual Open Studios Weekend, where it hosts weary visitors having a rest with a cuppa and cake before exploring the studios once again.
Adrian, and regular helper Richard, can be seen most Tuesday mornings (11am-1pm) working in the Garden, keeping it tidy and planting all sorts of interesting plants. The public is encouraged to come in, look around and get gardening advice. Why not come down and have a look around.