About the Exhibition

Colour-ing in the Bay celebrates the vibrant, evolving artwork of local artist Zoe Curley, whose distinctive line‑work draws inspiration from Torbay’s coastline, wildlife, landmarks and people.

This uplifting exhibition invites you to explore how the Colour-ing in the Bay project was created—from early pen‑and‑ink sketches to supersized murals and the much‑loved Doodle Tent community panels.

Visitors will be able to see:

• Original drawings and annotated sketches revealing Zoe’s creative process.
• Doodle Tent mural panels created by children, families and community groups.
• Freehand mural work displayed on glass panels in Zoe’s signature white‑on‑colour style.

The exhibition showcases both the artistic beauty of Zoe’s work and the social impact of a project designed to bring people together through creativity

Artist Bio: Zoe Curley

Born and raised in Kent, Zoe Curley began her career as an in‑house graphics artist in London—back in the days before digital tools, when creativity relied on Letraset, Pantone markers, non‑repro blue, and a very steady hand. She developed her skills at the London College of Printing while working full‑time in the design world.

After the birth of her daughter, Zoe retrained and completed an Honours Degree in Primary Teaching with a specialism in Design & Technology. She went on to teach in Primary, Secondary and Alternative Provision settings.

A major turning point came in 2018, when Zoe and her family moved to Paignton. Partnering with her husband, a leaded‑glass maker, she began selling hand‑painted illustrations at Paignton Harbour Craft Market—an experience that helped her embrace life as a professional artist.

In 2020, Zoe’s public murals on the hoardings at Paignton Green brought widespread attention to her intricate, flowing line‑work. Whether in pen‑and‑ink or expanded into large murals on brightly coloured backgrounds, Zoe’s designs evolve organically as she draws—each piece developing naturally into something richly detailed and unique.

Why Colour-ing in the Bay?

The Colour-ing in the Bay project grew from Zoe’s desire to share the mindful joy of drawing and colouring with others. While colouring is widely known to reduce stress, Zoe finds calm and focus through the act of creating the drawings themselves.

At the heart of the project was a mission to bring people together across generations:

• The Doodle Tent encouraged children and their grown-ups to “draw big,” experimenting with large-scale collaborative illustration.
• Small‑group workshops offered older generations and community members a welcoming space for creativity, conversation, reminiscence and relaxation.

By weaving Torbay’s landmarks, marine life and stories into her line‑work, Zoe has created a purposeful visual resource for all ages, one that celebrates the bay’s cultural heritage and sense of place.

Workshops at Torre Abbey

As the exhibition concludes in March, Zoe will be leading a series of hands‑on workshops in our Learning Lab: Stay tuned for dates and times!

• Morning sessions for invited groups: colouring, coffee and conversation.
• Afternoon drop‑in sessions for all visitors: explore Zoe’s drawings, create your own artwork, and learn about Torbay’s cultural and Geopark heritage.
• Bayscape, a scale model of Torbay’s coastline will be on show, helping visitors appreciate the bay’s unique topography.