The Isle of Wight has a rich heritage of the Arts, 17-century Dutch landscape artists such as Doomer and Schellinks painted some of the earliest landscape representations of the Island and these were followed by the likes of Turner who's Isle of Wight Sketch Book and paintings of Cowes and Carisbrooke Castle feature in the Tate Gallery's Collection. The Tate also holds works of the Island by Dayes, Gastineau, Rowlandson, Bierstadt, De Wint, Ackling, Collins, and Cooke to name a few.

Alongside the painters writers are very prominent in the Island's history and to a certain extent made the Island the 'chic' place to hangout during the Victorian period. Tennyson took up residence in Freshwater Bay and his work is full of references to his favourite little spot, Swinburne lived and is buried in Bonchurch, J B Priestly lived in Brooke, Rev Leigh Richmon author of the 'Dairyman's Daughter' was actually the vicar of Brading, Samuel Wilberforce was the rector of Brighstone, John Keats lived in Shanklin, Marx & Engels both spent time on the Island, Lewis Carroll lived and wrote in Shanklin, Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield while staying in Bonchurch, Darwin began his 'Origin of Species' on the Island before leaving on his voyage and Winston Churchill even spent his summers in Ventnor where his sister lived.

The Island has a thriving contemporary arts scene with individuals such as Stephen Dews (internationally renowned marine artist), Anthony Minghella (Oscar winning director), The Bees and Drew (both renowned musicians) holding permanent residencies on the Island. The Quay Arts Centre in Newport is one of the best locations to see some of the new work on offer from up-and-coming Island artists and offers an excellent opportunity to purchase a work that may one day feature in the Tate collection?