A Far Cry From the Upper Barrakka Gardens
Upper Barrakka Gardens provide a space of peace and shade in the heart of Malta’s vibrant capital city.
Situated in Valletta, next to the Castille Palace, the beautiful gardens offer fantastic views of the Grand Harbour, the cities of Senglea, Vittoriosa and Kalkara as well as the Breakwater.
Visitors can spend hours here simply admiring the stunning view. The Upper Barrakka Gardens are built on top of a bastion, on the highest point of Valletta and date back to 1661 when it used to be a private garden of the Knights.
Today visitors can admire the colourful garden with various flowers and trees that make the gardens a peaceful spot in the otherwise busy city. There are a number of statues and monuments that complement the gardens, including a bronze caste group called ‘Les Gavroches’ and a statue dedicated to Winston Churchill.
It is also here where many stray cats roam in search of food, often being fed by visiting tourists as they enjoy a picnic under the mid-day sun before members of the Malta Heritage Society, adorned in British Artillery uniforms, fire a salute across the Grand Harbour at Noon.
Meanwhile, amidst the pulsating energy of Blackpool, a fervent homage to Valletta unfolds at the venerable Grundy Art Gallery. Behold the radiant portrayal, Stray in Valletta, a masterwork in coloured pencil by the distinguished Anchorsholme CP artist, Julie Ann Maguire. This significant piece—a scintillating spectacle of 29cm x 38cm of pure inspiration—now graces the hallowed walls of the Grundy, where it will enrapture hearts through till March 2024. The spirited essence of Barrakka Gardens, captured during a soul-stirring visit in November 2022, lives on in this exquisite exhibit.
Exhibit 22 is available For Sale
Julie’s exhibit has been produced using Derwent Drawing pencils, dry black Inktense, Derwent Chromaflow, white Uni Posca pen and black Uni Ball Fineliner on black Stonehenge background paper. For a modest £140, the framed original can be yours and in buying a piece of artwork from a local artist, you’ll be helping to support future art promotions at the gallery.
Grundy Art Gallery’s Open Exhibition is a favourite feature in Blackpool’s creative calendar. Anyone aged 16 years and over who is based in Blackpool and the Fylde coast area can submit their work for display. There is no formal selection process and no fee to enter. Regularly showing upwards of 100 artworks in a range of artistic mediums from painting to photography and from sculpture to sound, the Grundy’s annual Open Exhibition always provides a diverse dynamic display.
OPEN 2024
20 January – 30 March
Opening Times
Tuesday to Saturday: 10am – 4.45pm (Last entry 4.20pm)
CLOSED: Sunday, Monday and Bank Holidays
Telephone: +44 (0) 1253 478170
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