Artwatchguide is an annually updated guide promoting museums and galleries in Hastings and Rother, an area based in the South East of England. It was created in 2007 by artist Sophie Mason as an independent publication. It is now co-ordinated and managed by designer Julian Sutherland Beatson.

Artwatch Guide 2007		Artwatch Guide 2008		Artwatch Guide 2009

The area of Hastings and Rother has long been attractive to visitors exploring its unique culture and heritage. Many artists have been drawn to live or work in the area inspired by the natural visual beauty. Most famously these have included J.M.W.Turner, the Pre-Raphaelites, Edward Burra and Marianne North.
Turner’s ‘Hastings: Fishmarket on the sands, Early morning 1824’ is proudly owned and displayed at the Hastings Old Town Hall Museum.

JMW Turner

The tradition of creativity continues with numerous writers, craftspeople, painters, actors and others now working or living in the region. In the last few years the area has seen a flourishing of galleries, arts venues, arts festivals and open studio events. A busy festival ‘season’ runs between May and October each year and most of these exciting highlights are listed on this site.
The Artwatchguide is the leading pocket guide in the area to Museums, Galleries and more. Professionally designed and produced with a print run of 20,000, several thousand guides are distributed throughout the South East to Tourist Information centres in Surrey, Sussex and Kent as well historical homes, art collections and numerous other outlets.