Touchlines of Fortitude: Rugby Meets Art in a Celebration of Women's Resilience

ESSENTIAL INFO

• A vibrant programme of free exhibitions & events celebrating women's strength and creativity.
• Timed with the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup finals in Twickenham.
• Featuring exhibitions, public talks, and schools' outreach
• Supported by Arts Council England.
• Taking place in Teddington and the surrounding area 

Touchlines of Fortitude launches this September, uniting rugby, art and female resilience in Twickenham. Set against the backdrop of the Women's Rugby World Cup, Touchlines of Fortitude showcases how art and rugby can come together to highlight women's stories of strength and empowerment.

Taking place at The Beach Gallery in Teddington, the exhibition brings together painting, sculpture, photography and community storytelling to celebrate the power of women both on and off the pitch.

Why this matters

With the Women's Rugby World Cup shining a global spotlight on the sport, Touchlines of Fortitude offers a unique cultural response—exploring how resilience, teamwork and creativity connect sport, art and everyday life. It highlights voices often underrepresented—from women athletes to neurodiverse artists and community leaders—and sparks conversations around strength and mental health

What to expect

The project will feature:

Exhibitions: The first show features three local artists (3 local artists: Gina DeCagna, Tahira Mandarino and Agnieszka Lokaj) with a second, larger group exhibition to feature selected works from an open call, bringing together emerging voices from across London and beyond.

• Public talk: panel talk on what it takes to survive and thrive in rugby and art. Hosted by Victoria Rush, with speakers Alison Kervin OBE and artist Kate Howe.
• Awards for the best painting, photo and sculpture will be judged by a high-profile panel including prominent art critic Tabish Khan and high-profile figurative artist Karen Turner,
• The Wall of Stories, Visitors can also contribute to the interactive Wall of Fortitude, sharing their own stories of resilience.
• Public events Alongside the exhibitions, a writing workshop and a school programme will bring together artists, athletes and community voices

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, sponsorship from Hobbycraft and support from a comprehensive network of partners, all events will be free-to-attend – ensuring the widest possible audience will be able to take part in, and get engaged with, the Touchlines of Fortitude story.

TOUCHLINES OF FORTITUDE: EVENTS PROGRAMME

Date: 12 -21 September 

Touchlines of Fortitude I exhibition ( 3 local artists: Gina DeCagna, Tahira Mandarino and Agnieszka Lokaj)

Private view: 11th September, 6.30pm

The Beach Gallery, Teddington

Curated by Lynn Szygenda

Date: 12 Sep- 5 Oct

'Wall Of Fortitude' interactive installation

The Beach Gallery, Teddington

Date: Sat 13 Sep

'Wall Of Fortitude' writing workshop

Facilitator: Alison Kervin OBE

The Beach Gallery, Teddington

Date: Wed 17 Sep

'Building Resilience' public talk event

Join us (and some special guests) as we discussAwards what it takes to survive and thrive

Date: Wed 17 Sep, 6pm

Location: The Exchange, Twickenham

Host: Victoria Rush

Speakers: Alison Kervin OBE and artist Kate Howe

Date: 25 Sep- 5 Oct

Touchlines of Fortitude II group exhibition (open call)

Private view: 24th September, 6.30pm

The Beach Gallery, Teddington

Curated by Agnieszka Lokaj

Date: 28 Sep, 2pm

Touchlines of Fortitude II - Awards

The Beach Gallery, Teddington

Touchlines of Fortitude - Open Spaces 2025

Venue: The Press Room Coffee, Twickenham

Date: 24 Sept - 5 Jan'26

Touchlines of Fortitude will be a part of a global art trail, VAA Open Spaces 2025 which takes place from 11 October to 9 November 2025 and brings together up to 300 VAA artists from across the world to transform everyday, overlooked, or unconventional locations into platforms for contemporary art