Tiny Portland community art gallery created in beehive box

A therapist and a social worker have created a miniature community gallery in a beehive box.

Antje Rook and Yollande Posthumus, from Portland, decided to curate the quirky exhibition because there were no dedicated galleries on the island.

The tiny gallery is on permanent display outside the Beehive Cafe, and contains dollhouse-sized pottery, paintings and sculptures created by local artists.

Ms Rook said: “It has been fun building the box and having people from the community help us.”

She said they raised £450 from local people to pay for the exhibition, and they are encouraging anyone who wants to to get involved.

The aim of the exhibition was to create “inclusivity and affordability” and to make sure “everyone who wanted to join had the opportunity”, she said.

Each month, the two artists plan to team up with a different local community group, who will have the opportunity to create their own gallery within the beehive box.

Some of the community groups included are Artwey, based in Weymouth, Muntsys, an organisation supporting adults with learning disabilities, Shed, a woodwork and repair group, as well as LGBTQ+ and youth groups.

Ms Rook said the tiny gallery “makes art more accessible than larger galleries”.

“When you have larger works you need more space and more money,” she said.

“It is a very playful concept which reminds you of childhood memories and it really is about playfulness, imagination and creativity.”