AN exhibition showcasing flags created by residents during lockdown is being held on Portland for the next two weeks.

As previously reported, Sophie Fretwell, an artist, ran a community craft event on Portland during lockdown where residents created flags dedicated to local heroes to thank them for their support during the pandemic.

She was commissioned to run the event by Activate, a performing arts company based in Dorchester, who were running a micro-commission scheme to creative communities during lockdown.

Sophie is now holding an exhibition to showcase all of the flags that were entered into Flag It Up Portland event.

Sophie, 25, said: "The flags are all so beautiful, I absolutely love them all and I am thrilled with the number of entries which was more than 30.

"I feel very proud and pleased with how bright and colourful the window is. I walk past it nearly everyday and I like seeing people stopping on the street and investigating.

"I had entries from a range of people who were aged between eight and 60 so it just shows that there are so many creative people on Portland that wanted to get involved."

The exhibition is being held in the windows of The Outpost in Fortuneswell. The building is owned by b-side, an arts organisation, that worked in collaboration with Sophie's Flag it Up Portland project.

Sophie, who has recently graduated from Arts University Bournemouth, originally planned on running Flag It Up Portland as a competition and the prize was going to be a showcase of the winning entry in the b-side window, however, she decided that all of the artists deserved to win and has exhibited them all on a poster.

The exhibition began last week and will run until November 11, after which all of the flags will be returned to the creators.

Sophie said: "It really brightens up the high street and brings a bit of joy and pride to the community at such a dark time.

"I think Portland is such a close-knit community and the pandemic has really highlighted how people have banded together."

For more information, visit https://b-side.org.uk/events/outpost-lockdown-exhibitions-flag-it-up