The exhibition will run from 19th July -3rd August 2025 and is open daily 11 am –5 pm Entrance to the gardens £4.00. The Paintings will be displayed in the recently restored Greyfriars's Chapel that is located within the gardens. The exhibition entitled “Arcadia” will feature a collection of Colette’s floral landscapes, which will complement the tranquillity of location. Colette is a self-taught artist and has developed her own distinctive style, which is instantly recognisable.
Her colourful paintings are inspired by the richness of colour and texture in the natural landscape. When creating, her intention is to bring the scene to life and give the viewer the impression that they are in the location. She works with a palette knife and the textural quality of her work is a key feature of her painting giving it a structural quality, with a three-dimensional feel. The entrance to the gardens is located on the St Peters Street, in the centre of historic Canterbury. The Franciscan Gardens is a heritage site: Home to the first Franciscan settlement in England, established in 1224. There is an acre and a half of the original site.
It has been restored to evoke a taste of how the Franciscans would have seen it. It is part of the Eastridge hospital registered Charity. Some of the artworks will be available for sale during the exhibition and 25% will be donated the Charity. During the exhibition Colette plans to do some live painting demonstrations in the grounds of the gardens.
