Folkestone's Grand Hotel Reopens as Major Arts Venue

The Grand, an Edwardian hotel in Folkestone that opened its doors in 1903, has been reimagined as a contemporary arts and music venue under the guidance of Grand Arts CIC, spearheaded by Executive Director Megan Piper. The opening exhibition showcases works by female artists linked to the town, featuring Yoko Ono's 'Earth Peace' on the roof, alongside creations by Jyll Bradley, Mayotte Magnus, Rubiane Maia, Cornelia Parker, and Rose Wylie. Notably, Magnus, who was the first woman to hold a major solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in 1977, has four portraits, including those of Barbara Hepworth and Dame Judi Dench, displayed in the bar. The venue's music programming began with a piano recital by Thomas Ades in April, followed by the Sacconi Chamber Music Festival from May 14-17, Mark Padmore with Steven Devine on June 7, and the UK premiere of Graham Fitkin's 'Treeline' on July 18, which incorporates sound recordings from ancient trees in ten countries. In 2019, Folkestone was recognized as the world's first music town on BBC Music Day. Additionally, The Grand features Keppels restaurant, named after Alice Keppel, Edward VII's mistress, who attended the launch of Europe's first sprung dance floor there in 1909. The venue aspires to integrate art into daily life through a collection available for free viewing in public areas.