“Own a piece of Southsea with your very own Deckchair designed by local artists”



The University of Portsmouth collaborated with local artists and art students over the Summer 2009 to create modern versions of Deckchairs. 25 designs were created and toured around Portsmouth and Southsea. The Deckchairs were for sale at £80 and gave locals and visitors a chance to 'own a piece of Southsea.'


Venues included Aspex, Knight & Lee, Debenhams, Cascades, Bellamy’s Antiques, Parmiter’s Antiques, Garbo’s, Bored Skate Shop, Mary Rose Museum, Guildhall, Seafront, Old Portsmouth, Gunwharf, Roundabout, Eastney, Fratton and Albert Road. The Deckchairs were also part of the Free Art and Live Paint event at Southsea Skatepark, Hilsea Lido Heritage Weekend, Southsea Fest and I Love Albert Road Day. All of the artists worked to a strict timeline and had to conform to the Deckchair dimensions. For each artist the project has been an enormous success and they have all enjoyed the process and exposure.

Project Aims have included:

1. Raising awareness of Southsea Seafront by showcasing Deckchairs around the city, enabling this to be symbolic of the venue and give a sense of place.

2. Highlight The University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council supporting local creative talent, community liaison and at the same time promoting the work of university students.
3. Promoting Southsea as a creative haven rich in artistic and creative talent.

4. Enabling students to collaborate, showcase best practice, build confidence, show an enterprising spirit and feel part of the creative movement in the city.

Website to view all the Deckchairs: http://www.southseadeckyourchairs.tk/ BIG thanks to all the artists and Fay Johnson, Barry Walker, Ian Parmiter, Debbie Parker, Tristan Savage and Strong Island, Tom and Gary from Bored, Billy and Jimmy from Garbo’s, Lorna Grady, Simon Claridge, Sarah Duckering, Mark Baker, Chris Richards, Jo Busnell, Lisa Eagan, Carl Downer, Dan Stubbs, BBC, The Portsmouth News, Stephen Baily, Kathy Wadsworth, David Evans, Stephen and Roma Davies from Southsea Deckchairs Ltd and Rhoda Joseph.