A proper summer evening in Stonehouse last night. Art, music, soft summer rain and petrichor.

Stonehouse is a city neighbourhood by the sea. The area has been bathed in hot, constant ,early summer sunshine for weeks. Which is why the soft summer rain of last night added to the experience of art and music as the evening took in an art exhibition and live music at opposite ends of Stonehouse, as we did the evening dog walk. Petrichor, subtle but there never the less was the gentle fragrance of the evening. First stop Leadworks in Rendle Street to visit an art exhibition raising money for ShelterBox.

ShelterBox exists to ensure no one is without shelter after disaster. We often work in places that others don’t, making sure that we reach families who need support to take the next step in resuming their livelihoods.

With a brilliant piece of placement the first picture to greet visitors was a painting by Rosie Cunningham. Unintentionally, the whole summer exhibition experience was revealed.

In the summer months artists and artistically minded people gather in halls, spaces and museums all over England to view summer exhibitions. The artistically minded wear carefully curated summer clothes, maybe a little quirky, women have statement necklaces or hand bags. Men, bold shirts or interesting glasses. In order to stand out from the quirky crowd,the actual artists dial up the sartorial code to Full Flamingo. Quirky for certain but with something extra, dungarees perhaps or a battered satchel. Private Views or one off events like last night are the best place to see this colourful phenomenon.

The dogs are well used to this sort of event having sniffed their way around the galleries and art spaces of London when they were younger. Lola though felt particularly welcome last night, in Stonehouse, with bespoke graffiti.

Soon enough we were off to the far south of the Stonehouse Peninsular for live music at the Arch in the Royal William Yard.

Another summer uniform, shorts, skirts, t-shirts and flip flops to listen to fabulous music in a beautiful spot. Which brings us back to the gorgeous portrait of Van Morrison by Jo Beer at the top of the picture.

Open on 10 June. Daytime hours.