Towner 100: The Living Collection

The Towner Collection comprises over 5000 artworks that individually and collectively reflect and reveal the history of Towner as a public art gallery in Eastbourne since 1923. Sited in Sussex, the Collection features many landscapes and seascapes that draw inspiration from this unique location.  From 1923 the collection was kept inside Towner’s first home, an 18th century manor house, for almost 90 years. In 2009 Towner moved into a purpose-built modernist-style gallery where we celebrate its centenary.

The Living Collection considers Towner’s broad and varied history of collecting and exhibiting over the past one hundred years through a selection of paintings, prints and artefacts. This celebratory display offers Towner and its communities the occasion to look back to appreciate the past as well as the opportunity to look forward as we envision its future. Expect to see artists such as Eric Ravilious, Edward Wadsworth, Vanessa Bell, Gertrude Hermes, William Gear and Greta Delleany.

In the text panels and labels for our TOWNER 100 exhibitions you will find a glossary of words that are often associated with a collection of artworks.

The words help describe what a collection is, how artworks come into a collection and some of the actions used when looking after artworks.

Read our TOWNER 100 glossary