Exhibitions | Forest Arts Centre

GHOSTS

Nina Fraser and Stephen Foster

25 April to 9 June 2026

An exhibition by painter Stephen Foster and multidisciplinary artist Nina Fraser explores the interplay between reality and image, memory and recognition.

Through material gestures and the action of tracing as a repetition of texture - a kind of echo - both artists pursue the presence of something absent: the leaf that isn’t there, a personality transmuting into its background. Vibrant oil paintings converse with delicate rice paper works, proposing that substance is fluid and the mark-making process a spontaneous journey, open to chance. Each practice emerges from an initiating subconscious form, suggesting partially formed ghost-like visions that insist, above all, on being vividly alive. The exhibition features complementary work from Rosa Foster

Artist's meet and greet at the Forest Arts Centre, Saturday 25 April 2026; 4-6:30pm - free entry

About the painters:

Image: Stephen Foster “Shadow Presence” 2025

Stephen Foster is a professional Dorset-based artist (Verwood/Christchurch) specializing in semi-abstract oil and acrylic landscapes, often using palette knives to evoke texture and the "archaic". Represented by Hatch Gallery and active since 1985, his work is inspired by the Dorset coast and chalk downland, featuring in international collections.

Deliquesce (becoming liquid) config. 6" 2026

Born in St. Albans, UK (1984), Nina Fraser is a multidisciplinary artist and educator currently based in Lisbon, Portugal. Her practice is rooted in "collage thinking," using paper and found materials to explore themes of ecology, memory, and the human relationship with the environment. She has family connections to Dorset and exhibits regularly in the UK.

Coming Up...

Thresholds: Worlds Within Worlds

Beth Macey-Macleod

Saturday 13th June to Tuesday 21st July

Beth Macey-Macleod is a neurodivergent visual and sound artist whose work explores the in-between, the seen and unseen, the known and unknown. In each season, nature extends her hand. A flower. A tree. A creature deep within the forest. Each one an invitation across the threshold. These paintings are made in relationship with all that is beyond. Each piece a doorway. Each piece an invitation to pause, to journey within, and to remember. Remember the gifts you carry. Remember the light you are. Remember the purpose that calls you home.

Beth is passionate about creating safe, empowering creative spaces. Beth founded Neurodivergent Arts CIC, a non profit created to support the neurodivergent community, now stepping into its second year, growing in partnership with Re:Minds, Southampton City Council, The Job Centre, Southampton Forward, Eastleigh Council and Local Area Committees. Beth runs regular classes and programmes supporting neurodivergent adults and young people to develop confidence, wellbeing and transferable skills for employment. Beth’s personal practice is inspired by the incredible people she teaches and shares time with.

Are you an artist looking to exhibit your work? click here to apply to exhibit at fore st arts