Free ‘Folkestone Posters’ Exhibition Opens At Folkestone Harbour

Picture: Left – Ray Johnson President & Right – Sir Roger De Haan.

‘Folkestone Posters’, a new temporary exhibition of original travel posters from the 19th and 20th Century, has opened in a newly created space in the old station at Folkestone Harbour, and our President of the Chamber, Ray Johnson, attended.

The exhibition is completely free to enter and open daily from 11am and 5pm until the 19th October. It is made up of more than 20 original travel posters featuring examples from World War I and World War II, as well as from France and the railways, which all connect back to Folkestone.

Co-owner of 20th century art and design shop and vintage gallery Rennies Seaside Modern in the Old High Street in Folkestone’s Creative Quarter, Paul Rennie has worked with the Folkestone Harbour team to curate the exhibition.

He says: “We’re thrilled to bring this exhibition to Folkestone Harbour. These posters are cultural artefacts that reflect the rich history of Folkestone as a thriving seaside destination and port during the 20th century. These original artworks span 70 years of history, and seeing a collection as extensive and varied as this in one place is incredibly rare and special.“

“We’re especially grateful to Sir Roger De Haan, who has lent many of the posters from his collection that he came across while restoring the Harbour Arm, so that we can curate this wonderful exhibition and tell the story of Folkestone’s coastal destination heritage.”

The exhibition is housed in a completely new, dedicated space at the entrance to Platform 2 at Folkestone Harbour’s award-winning, renovated Station. The original recesses of the entrance ways and windows along the historic platform, have been reinstated with sash windows and large, wooden doors, returning a number of period features to what was once a busy port station.

The containers housing the exhibition have been earmarked for use for the expansion of the popular harbourside restaurant Sailbox later this year.

Paulo-Kingston Correia, General Manager at Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company, says: “Folkestone Posters is a fantastic addition to our line-up of free summer events and activities on the harbour. It also coincides with the Triennial, the UK’s largest exhibition of newly commissioned art, which is currently taking place in Folkestone and attracts art lovers from far and wide.

“Visitors to Folkestone taking in the exhibition and the Triennial art, can really make a day of it by enjoying the exciting street food offers in the Goods Yard or taking a pitstop on the terraces of our restaurants both harbourside and beachside.”