November 2022 – March 2023

Images available here

Watts Contemporary Gallery, part of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village in Compton, Surrey, today announces its winter exhibition programme for the period November 2022 – March 2023.

The Gallery offers a frequently changing and varied programme of art and crafts, presenting work by established and emerging artists, giving visitors an opportunity to see and buy contemporary art. Funds raised through sales support Watts Gallery Trust’s Art for All Learning Programme which, inspired by the charity’s founders – the artist George Frederic Watts OM RA (1817-1904) and his wife, the artist and designer Mary Watts (1849-1938) - seeks to make art accessible to all.

The exhibitions are:

In Print: Kaleidoscopic 4 November – 15 January 2023

Promising a riot of colour, this year’s In Print exhibition features work by 12 of the UK’s most exciting printmakers – to cast aside the gloom of dark winter days.

With subjects ranging from a Japanese tea ceremony to wild water swimming, verdant landscapes, multi-coloured butterflies and top-of-the-range cars, the exhibition includes new work created for this show.

Featured artists are Kate Alger, Gerry Baptist, Kit Boyd, Jane Bristowe, Scott Campbell, Drusilla Cole, Aida Emiko, Phil Greenwood, Hazel McNab, David Newton, Lisa Takahashi and Jane Walker. Prices from £100, with most works under £350.

A Sense of Place 19 January – 26 March 2023

Two young artists, Surrey-based Grace Ellen and Tom Voyce – winner of Sky Landscape Artist of the Year 2017 - are brought together for the first time in this exhibition, which explores how their approach to landscape painting allows them to capture the spirit and atmosphere of the places they depict. Through careful observation, and absorbing themselves in their surroundings, they manage to distil the essence of a place and present their emotional response to it.

Born in Surrey, Grace’s work focuses on local sites she has known and loved since her childhood – the river Mole, Leith Hill. The other place very dear to her, and where she spends as much time as possible, is Cornwall, and this forms the second part of her exhibition strand.

Since winning Sky Landscape Artist of the Year in 2017, Tom Voyce has travelled widely, and images of San Francisco, Australia and more feature in his work along with interiors and places closer to home.

Both artists will present new work in the exhibition, and will join in the gallery for a talk about their work on 15^th February. Prices from £400.

Gwen Hughes, Watts Contemporary Gallery Programme Manager, said:

“I am delighted we are able to bring so many excellent artists to Compton and offer our visitors a wide range of works to buy. With five different exhibitions each year, covering art, ceramics and craft we are able to support a large number of creative artists – last year was nearly 100. I am very excited about our winter exhibition programme and look forward to sharing such interesting and inspiring work with our visitors.”

Alistair Burtenshaw, Brice Director & Chief Executive, Watts Gallery Trust, said:

“Watts Contemporary exhibitions ensure that diverse contemporary artistic practice continues to thrive at Compton as envisaged by our founding artists, G F and Mary Watts. These exhibitions create access to contemporary art for audiences and help to fund our wide-reaching learning and engagement learning programme, which has had 112,847 participations over the past five years.

“Alongside our Watts Contemporary exhibitions, visitors can enjoy our Historic Galleries, Watts Chapel and Limnerslease, where the story of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village began – plus opportunities to make art, to walk in our beautiful woodlands and more.”

“Art for All by All is at the heart of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, and we look forward to welcoming everyone in the coming months.”

For further information:

wattsgallery.org.uk

Twitter @wattsgallery

Instagram @wattsgallery

Facebook /wattsgalleryartistsvillage

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For further press information:

Tamsin Williams: tamsin@wigwampr.com – 07939 651252

Notes to Editors:

Watts Contemporary Gallery

Watts Contemporary Gallery provides visitors with an opportunity to see and buy contemporary art and craft that resonate with the history and heritage of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village. Located in the old Compton Pottery, today Watts Contemporary Gallery presents five exhibitions each year. All profits raised through Watts Contemporary exhibitions support Art for All, Watts Gallery Trust’s learning and outreach programme inspired by G F and Mary Watts, founders of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village.

Open daily, Monday to Sunday, including Bank Holidays, 10am - 5pm, free entry. Located above the Shop. For further information: Watts Contemporary Gallery

Current exhibition:

Into the Woods (until 30 October)

Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village

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.