A major national touring art exhibition has arrived on the Isle of Wight, with life-size reproductions of famous paintings now on display across Newport.
The National Gallery’s Art On Your Doorstep trail features 18 replicas of world-renowned artworks positioned around the county town until October 30.
The free, step-free one-mile trail takes visitors through Newport’s historic streets, alleyways, squares and harbourside, with each artwork carefully placed to reflect its surroundings.
The Isle of Wight is one of just seven locations across the UK selected to host the exhibition in 2026 as part of a three-year nationwide project by the National Gallery.
The paintings were chosen by community groups and a local school, with each reproduction displayed life-size and in fine detail within its original frame design.
The trail has been secured through the Shaping Newport partnership, which brings together the Isle of Wight Council, Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council and the Newport Business Association.
Alex Minns, the council’s service director for community regeneration and economy, said:
“It is incredible to see reproductions of world-class art arrive on the streets of Newport, transforming familiar places into an open-air gallery that everyone can enjoy.
“We’re proud that the Isle of Wight is one of just a handful of locations across the UK chosen to host this national exhibition.”
Fiona Capewell, clerk at Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, added:
“This trail is a fantastic celebration of creativity, heritage and community collaboration.
“Art On Your Doorstep shows how working together can enrich the town, encourage people to explore Newport in new ways and create memorable experiences right through to the harbourside.”
Among the artworks on display are Claude Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond on Newport High Street, Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers in Castlehold Lane and JMW Turner’s Rain, Steam and Speed – The Great Western Railway at the Harbour Office on Town Quay.
