There is only a limited time left to get involved in the TAG-A-TILE campaign from Hampshire Cultural Trust. The fundraising campaign launched in September 2021 to support the transformation of Gosport’s Old Grammar School into the Gosport Museum and Art Gallery. The campaign invites people to personalise a clay tile with 16 characters of their choice, making their mark on history when the tile is positioned in the new outdoor courtyard as part of the building’s renovation in autumn.
There are less than 100 tiles left to be personalised and the cut-off date for tile donations is Friday 29 April 2022. The tiles cost £30 and can be purchased online or at the One of a Kind pop-up shop on Gosport high street, where visitors can learn more about the campaign and see an example tile on display.
The tiles can be donated as marks of remembrance, as a gift, a message for a loved one or just for fun. Each clay tile measures 200mm x 100mm and allows for 2 lines of text. If tiles are donated for Easter presents, donors will receive an Easter presentation voucher to give to their loved one and once the building works have been completed, anyone who has donated a tile will be invited to a private view of the courtyard, ahead of the public re-opening to see the inscribed tiles installed.
When asked why they decided to donate to the TAG-A-TILE campaign, one donor, Terry Rhodes, commented: ‘Eddie was born during the Coronavirus Lockdown. Like other babies of this time, he spent the first months of his life cocooning at home with his first-time parents, Jayne and James, but unable to be visited and adored by his extended family. This tile will mark what a strange period in history Eddie was born into...’
Another donor, Stephen Wood said: ‘Fi was a member of the Gosport Art Club for many years and loves all forms of art. Having lived in Gosport for 40 since moving down from the Midlands and joining the WRNS this would be a really appropriate way to celebrate her arts. I moved from Jersey at 6 months when my mum returned to Gosport and apart from 17 years in the RAF I have always lived in the area. We are both fascinated by the building and the displays frequently on show there’.
The donations will support the redevelopment of Gosport's Old Grammar School which will see unused rooms converted to a new permanent museum documenting Gosport's history through the eyes of the local community. It will also see the expansion of the current play gallery, a new community gallery, café and retail area, the enhancement of existing learning rooms, the re-opening of the entrance onto Gosport high street and a new outdoor courtyard area where the donated tiles will feature for years to come.
With the support and funding from Arts Council England, Hampshire County Council, the Gosport High Street Heritage Action Zone programme led by Historic England, Gosport Borough Council, investment by Hampshire Cultural Trust donations from individuals and groups, including the Friends of Gosport Museum, as well as individual donors from the TAG-A-TILE campaign, Gosport Gallery, operated by Hampshire Cultural Trust, will become Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, one of the largest centres in Gosport where people can come together to enjoy great arts and culture.
To donate a tile or find out more about this campaign and Hampshire Cultural Trust please visit https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/tag-a-tile.