‘Enderby during Coronavirus’ exhibition

Close to 200 Enderby residents and others from further afield attended Enderby Civic Centre to view the work of artist Rebecca J Bromley in an exhibition of art focused on the street scene in Enderby during the coronavirus pandemic.

Rebecca is from Northern Ireland and came to Enderby in the summer of 2019 to be involved in the street art painting of the mural on Townsend Road. (See ‘From Loo to Louvre‘ Sept 5th 2019). She returned in 2020 little knowing about the lockdown restrictions that were to come.

Rebecca says she returned to Enderby in 2020 to paint its life during that year for an exhibition but by March Covid arrived changing everyone’s lives and changed the focus of her work. She saw how Enderby responded to the strange time with “….love and hope and perhaps a thousand pompoms!” She goes on to remark that she hopes the paintings portray a little of the brightness of life in Enderby during lockdown.

The unique exhibition took place on the weekend of 3rd/4th July and saw people file through the small and large halls of the Civic Centre, appropriately marked to comply with the covid regulations in force at the time.

The periods of lockdown gave local people more opportunity to pursue their hobby at home or try their hand at new projects and the small hall was the venue for exhibits contributed by local residents of all ages containing sculptures and craftwork as well as paintings.

Paintings by Ms. Bromley were displayed in the large hall and the artist was on hand to discuss her work. Towards the end of Saturday’s viewing Rebecca was presented with a floral bouquet and box of chocolates by Parish Council Chairman, Cllr. John Jones.

Visitors who were residents in the parish were invited to take a free copy of the booklet “Enderby during Coronavirus – Life in Lockdown” which contained notations and colour illustrations of some of Rebecca’s paintings. Non residents were able to purchase a copy for a nominal donation.

After viewing the exhibition visitors could avail themselves of refreshments provided by volunteers of Enderby Community Library and sit for a while in an area of the car park, sectioned off to facilitate a covid-safe open air cafe! Proceeds of sales from the refreshment bar went to the Community Library.

The event was made possible by a partnership between Enderby Parish Council, Enderby Parish Church and Enderby Life Church.