Featured Events in Plymouth in March, 2025 (January Updated)

Created by artist and sculptor Carole Vincent the artwork features a large sundial design and fountain. The artwork was commissioned by Plymouth City Council as part of the pedestrianisation of the City Centre in 1987. The work was officially launched on 22 July 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II and commemorates the ‘Armada 400’ celebrations in the city. (Image courtesy of Plymouth Herald image archive) Cast in concrete with Terrazzo and stainless steel, the sundial also features 12 plinths around the outside. Information panels on top of the stone plinths offer in detail ways to ‘read’ the sundial in a range of different languages. The information plinths were made a particular feature of in 2010 when they were covered with decorative textiles as part of ‘Mrs Smith’s hit on Plymouth sundial’ – a secret commission by Plymouth College of Art. Guerrilla textiles installed overnight to the surprise of the public! The sundial is set to G.M.T which differs in the summer (B.S.T) by one hour in advance. The sun is also due south in Plymouth 17 minutes later than it is at Greenwich; therefore at some points of the year the dial runs 1 hour 17 minutes behind G.M.T. About the Artist Carole Vincent (1939-2019) was an artist working in concrete. She lived and worked in Boscastle, Cornwall. Painter as well as sculptor, she explored the use of natural colour and texture in concrete for sculpture. Her work with pigments achieved remarkable success, opening new doors to architects, engineers and planners. Her passion was to work on commissions for specific environments, ranging from public spaces to individual buildings and gardens.

Artist Ian McChesney created two opposing sculptural forms hand carved from solid granite, designed to resemble nautical bollards. Project Description Ian McChesney’s sculptures are a tribute to Plymouth’s maritime heritage and the many historic voyages that are part of Plymouth’s history as well as our own personal journeys. Each part is a two-tonne piece of granite from De Lank quarry (in nearby Bodmin), carved smoothly with a tactile appeal. McChesney was awarded the commission following an open brief competition led by Peninsula Arts, the arts and culture public programming organisation for University of Plymouth. The university started as a School of Navigation in 1862 and 2012 marked their 150th anniversary. The work was unveiled as part of the programme of year long celebrations in which more than 50,000 people took part.

A walkway, which has extended the coastal path through Plymouth, comprises a distinctively marked trail across 9.3 miles designed to enhance the rich social, industrial and naval history of Plymouth. This is an entertaining and engaging walk where art is used to highlight the city's history and heritage. The Plymouth Waterfront Walkway was developed by the City Council in 2002 as a unique part of the South West Coast Path National Trail. It links the Cremyll Ferry landing stage on the shores of the Tamar with Jennycliff on the eastern side of Plymouth Sound. Along the way you’ll come across larger than life characters such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Robinson Crusoe and Lawrence of Arabia. Then there’s the wall of stars, a golden scallop, a ten ton rhino and so much more. The features were created by the artists of Why Not Associates, and bring to life many of the stories that make Plymouth special.

The mural is made up of varying sizes and textures of ceramic tiles in a mosaic design which highlights Plymouth’s agricultural and naval heritage. The differing glazes and patterns woven into the design represent the rich detail and description on the original maps. The work was initially unveiled by HRH Princess Anne in an underpass on the Drakes Circus site; but relocated in 2007 when the area was redeveloped into a new shopping centre.

A mirrored panel behind the figure reflects a warped vision of the work to represent the impact and distortion that war has on all ordinary life but particularly civilians and children. Commissioned by the University of Plymouth, the sculpture is located behind the University’s Portland Square Building as a memorial to those who lost their life at the site during the Second World War. The night of 22–23 April 1941 saw Plymouth’s heaviest loss of civilian life in a single incident in which 76 people are known to have died. The 'Hope' memorial sculpture is a lasting testament to those who tragically lost their lives that night in the underground bomb shelter, sited on what is now the University campus. The sculpture design itself was inspired by the harrowing account Favata was told by Portland Square Historian Tony Rees. He recounted the tale of a young couple who, on the night of the terrible bombing, sent their child to Plympton to be cared for. Sadly they died in the blast. As well as a symbol of hope; the sculpture stands as a tribute to the enduring spirit of the community. Favata said:“I wanted to make a statement about the tenacity of the people of Plymouth... When I learned about the disaster I started to think about all the wars Plymouth has gone through–the Armada, the civil war, the Napoleonic war, the First and Second World Wars–and I was struck by how much upheaval the people of Plymouth have survived.”

The sculpture is made of corten steel (a weathering steel) which gives it the appearance of rusting over time.‘Spare, simple, strong and timeless… its scale always totally in charge of its setting’ are words that have been used to describe the sculpture. Ann Christopher once said:‘I am drawn to the contemplative and calm image and that is what I strive for – journeys of discovery – journeys into the mind.’

The pub was demolished in the 1990s but the sign remained as a symbol for the community. The artist worked with the local residents and school to refurbish the sign with a new design inspired by memories of the pub and its landlord.

Created by Cornish-born sculptor Joseph Hillier to mark the completion of the Theatre’s Regeneration Project in 2013, she was unveiled in March 2019 and measures seven metres (23 feet) high. 'Messenger' was announced in autumn 2016 and revealed to the public on 22 March 2019 by actress Nicola Kavanagh. The monumental sculpture was cast in bronze by a skilled team from North Wales' Castle Fine Arts Foundry. She was then transported to Plymouth in sections and assembled at the city's Devonport Naval Base. She arrived in the city centre in a blaze of publicity; travelling across Plymouth Sound on a barge before being driven slowly through the streets and craned into position in front of a watching crowd. Hillier's inspiration came when he captured 3D images of actors from Frantic Assembly as they rehearsed for a production of William Shakespeare's 'Othello'. He'd already been commissioned by the Theatre Royal to create a series of small sculptural figures and subsequently came up with the idea to turn one of them into a large-scale public artwork.

RAMP weclomes Zulieka Fray to join our 2025 Exhibition Programme This exhibition is a visual journey through the ups and downs of life, exploring the balance between chaos and calm, light and dark, self-doubt and self-acceptance. It's All Going to Be OK is an invitation to embrace the messiness of being human and find peace in the process. Each painting reflects the artist’s raw, unfiltered emotions, offering a glimpse into the power of trusting yourself and your intuition. Through a nostalgic colour palette inspired by the artist's own road trip through the American desert long ago and expressive mark-making, these works speak to the tension we often feel inside—between who we are and who we want to be. But above all, they remind us that it’s okay not to have everything figured out. With every stroke, there’s an underlying message: no matter what, we are all finding our way, and it’s going to be okay. Step into this exhibition and let these paintings remind you that you don’t have to be perfect to be real, and sometimes, simply being yourself is more than enough. Information Source: RAMP - Real Art Make Print | eventbrite

Join us for an engaging evening with author Jenny Howe as she discusses the art of storytelling, her writing journey, and her latest charming novel, How to Get a Life in 10 Dates. Known for her witty writing, relatable characters, and heartwarming humor, Howe brings readers an unforgettable story about love, second chances, and self-discovery. Whether you're a fan of rom-coms, a lover of witty and insightful storytelling, or just looking for a heartwarming read, this event promises to be a delightful evening of conversation and connection. Information Source: Book Love | eventbrite

This event is part of our Creative Talks series that feature practitioners/makers/artists who work in a variety of disciplines, media and forms across the creative arts, including: the visual arts, design, performance, craft-work, creative writing and more. The series aims to address questions about the nature of ‘creativity’ and ‘practice as research’, featuring speakers who will share their work, the processes they use, their influences, and their own experiences of professional practice. Sessions will reflect the disciplinary range of speakers and may feature presentations, performances, workshops etc. The aim is to create an open, multi-disciplinary space in which to introduce audiences (students and the public alike) to a wide range of creative practices that inspire new ideas about how to make new work. For this Creative Talk we welcome Scott Thurston to share his practice. He will explore his key creative and theoretical influences, discuss major projects and illustrate his ideas with short performances. Scott Thurston's kinepoetic practice (literally movement making) is a mode of integrating poetry and dance in performance, developed over the last twenty years out of, amongst other things, Thurston's engagement with Gabrielle Roth's Five Rhythms movement meditation practice. This work overlaps with his research in creative psychotherapy with the Arts for the Blues project (www.artsfortheblues.com), and recent training as a person-centred counsellor. Scott Thurston first began writing on the London experimental poetry scene in the late 1980s. He joined the University of Salford in 1994, setting up a degree in English and Creative Writing, followed by the Masters in Creative Writing: Innovation and Experiment and a PhD pathway in Creative Writing. Scott co-organised The Other Room – an experimental poetry reading series in Manchester – for ten years and is founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of British and Irish Innovative Poetry. Since 2004, he has been developing a creative practice integrating dance and poetry which he calls kinepoetics. Following this interest into a collaboration with Dance Movement Psychotherapist Vicky Karkou and Counselling Psychologist (and partner of twenty-six years) Joanna Omylinska-Thurston, led to the founding of Arts for the Blues, a new creative group psychotherapy model. Scott's selected poems, Turning, was published by Shearsman in 2023. Chair: Prof. Anthony Caleshu, Creative Writing, University of Plymouth Scott Thurston further reading: Scott Thurston - Turning — Selected Poems 1995-2020Image credit: Roger Bygott Information Source: The Bridge, University of Plymouth | eventbrite

James Seabright presents Buffy Revamped This fast-paced, award-winning gem bringsyou the entire 144 episodes of the hit 90s TVshow,Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as told by Spike. Funny, satirical and bursting with 90s pop-culture references, it’s the perfect parody for Buffy aficionados and those who never enrolled at Sunnydale High alike. Information Source: Barbican Theatre | eventbrite

In honor of Women's History Month, join us for a special evening celebrating the voices of three remarkable women authors—Dawn Tripp, Allegra Goodman, and Joan Wickersham—as they share their insights into the power of storytelling, the women who inspire their writing, and the ways in which their works bring new perspectives to contemporary literature. These accomplished authors will discuss their most recent novels, the journeys of their female protagonists, and the themes of identity, independence, and self-discovery that are at the heart of their stories. Information Source: Book Love | eventbrite

Join the University of Plymouth Choral Society for their Spring concert.Programme to include: The Gloria by Francis PoulencRequiem by Matthew ColeridgeAnd I Saw a New Heaven by Matthew ColeridgeMusical Director: Robin StubbsAccompaniment: Simon Dunbarvand Image credit: Karam Alani, Pexels Information Source: The Bridge, University of Plymouth | eventbrite

Montes Christos Paint Party Tuesday March 25th at 7pm! Come join us for a fun and creative night at Montes Christos Restaurant! Grab your friends and unleash your inner artist at our Paint Party. No experience necessary - our talented instructors will guide you step by step. All materials will be provided, just bring your creativity and get ready to have a blast! Limited spots available, so be sure to secure your spot today. See you there! Information Source: Kreativ Paint Parties | eventbrite