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This month, Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village will mark the 175th anniversary of the birth of Mary Watts (1849-1938) with a series of events taking place on and around the artist’s birthday on 25 November.
Co-founder of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Mary Seton Watts (née Fraser Tytler) was an artist, designer, businesswoman and philanthropist. It was Mary’s pioneering vision that led to the creation of Watts Chapel and to the Compton Potters’ Arts Guild, initiatives that transformed opportunities for people living in the village.
175 years since Mary was born in India on 25 November 1849, Watts Gallery Trust will explore Mary’s life, work and legacy today through a programme of exhibitions and events taking place throughout the year beginning with:
Mary Watts: A Legacy Reimagined22 November – 22 December
An exhibition featuring work by five women artists responding to Mary Watts. Charlie Betts, Anna Marie Lamond, Mary Branson and Ashleigh Fisk have all completed residencies at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, and Halima Cassell was the first contemporary artist to have a solo exhibition at Watts Gallery (2023). Each artist acknowledges the profound influence of Mary Watts, and this exhibition explores how the artists immersed themselves in her world, discovering her diaries, her creative process, and her deep connection to Limnerslease, the historic home and studio she created which is open to visitors today.
The voice of Mary Watts23 November
An entertaining afternoon of readings from the diaries of Mary Watts by celebrated actor Rowan Suart. Written over 17 years, Mary’s diaries provide a window onto her world. This event takes place in Limnerslease, Mary and George’s former home.
Valiant Seton: Mary Fraser Tytler of Aldourie25 November
A special opportunity to hear art historian and biographer Veronica Franklin Gould discuss her latest book, Valiant Seton: Mary Fraser Tytler of Aldourie, on its publication day! The biography is the first to focus on Mary’s life before 1886 – the year she married George Frederic Watts (1817-1904) – and it includes new research.
The Mary Watts Tour, Chapel TourDates in November, December (both tours), January, February (Chapel Tour only)
Two new expert-led tours shining a light on Mary Watts and her pivotal role creating the Artists’ Village. The Mary Watts tour explores Limnerslease and the Old Pottery in addition to Watts Chapel.
Workshop: Arts & Crafts Gesso Panels4 December
A chance to learn about the craft of sculptural gesso – used by Mary Watts to decorate the Chapel interior and for the ornate ceiling panels at Limnerslease - and to create beautiful relief images.
Pottery Course: Hand building and throwingJanuary – February 2025
A five-week course covering a range of techniques and suitable for all levels.
Plus a new digital tour available on Smartify, a new Mary Watts website page featuring articles, films, collection information and more, and a range of Mary Watts inspired products in the Watts Gallery Shop.
Alistair Burtenshaw, Brice Director & Chief Executive, Watts Gallery Trust, said:
“Community was at the heart of Mary Watts’s vision for Compton and it is at the heart of our celebrations to mark Mary’s 175th year. Our programme of talks, tours, exhibitions, workshops and more provides lots of opportunities to get involved – and we look forward to celebrating Mary’s anniversary together!”
For further information:
wattsgallery.org.ukInstagram @wattsgalleryFacebook /wattsgalleryartistsvillage
Tamsin Williams – tamsin@wigwampr.com – 07939 651252
Watts Gallery Trust is an independent charity established in 1904 to enable future generations to connect with the art and ideas of George Frederic Watts, one of the leading artists of the nineteenth century, and his artist-wife, Mary Seton Watts.
G F Watts OM RA (1817-1904) was widely considered to be the greatest painter of the Victorian age. He became the first living artist to have a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the artist’s ‘gift to the Nation’ made a significant contribution to the founding collections of Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery.
Mary Watts (1848-1939) was an artist, designer, writer, businesswoman and philanthropist. Her art supported and inspired the people around her, involving local communities in her projects. She was the creative powerhouse behind two significant enterprises: the Watts Chapel and the Compton Potters’ Arts Guild.
Today, Watts Gallery - Artist’s Village continues George and Mary Watts's legacy of Art for all by all. This vision to make art accessible to everyone is realised through a dynamic and multi-sensory programme of creativity, exhibitions, contemporary art projects and community engagement. Read more.