Hertford Art Society 72nd Open Exhibition

Saturday 3rd to Saturday 10th May 2025

“Excellent collection – fascinating variety of styles and media”

“Magnificent display of work”   “Very skilled and innovative work on show”

“How wonderfully talented you are! A privilege to enjoy. Thank you.

“Fabulous display”   “A lovely mix of work – as always it doesn’t disappoint”

“Amazing art by amazing artists. Thank you.”

These are just a few of the comments made by visitors during the course of this year’s Exhibition.

There was something for everyone in Cowbridge Hall, a light and airy venue which shows work at its best. There were atmospheric landscapes, townscapes and seascapes; intriguing abstracts; still life images including some gorgeous peaches which made your mouth water; delicate and dramatic flower paintings; engaging and varied portraits and figure paintings, and a lovely variety of animals (relaxed cats, a curious giraffe, two owls quietly resting on their perches, a large model wildcat about to pounce on a ceramic mouse to name but a few). There were dramatic monochrome images. Some works were colourful and bold, others subtle and elusive. There were oils, acrylics and watercolours; etchings, lino prints; pastel, pencil, charcoal and ink and collage. The 3D work included some gorgeous sculpture in clay, stone and wire, ceramic mosaics, decorated pots and a lovely orange bowl with a bee motif.

There was a record number of submissions this year – 450. Our judges selected 315 exhibits including 35 3D works. Thanks go to our Judges - Anne McCormack RI SWA, Greame Unwin and Abel Kestevan for selecting the work for this Exhibition form many fine entries. We are also very appreciative of our sponsors who so kindly contribute to the Society each year. It is a great honour and incentive to receive one of their donated awards.

A childrens’ quiz kept children (and their parents) engaged as they explored the hall for solutions to some very quirky questions. Two additional paintings were displayed at Sworders Auctioneers in St Andrews Street, Hertford.

Thanks go to all the people who contributed in making this, the 72nd Open Exhibition, such a success - it was another exciting and popular show.

Our Treasurer, Geoff Bennett has made a selection of his favourite works from this year’s show. These are:

• ‘Piddle Lane’ - Alison Wright
  
  Deplorably scatological, beautifully painted: a subtle background wash, convincing fencing that had seen better days, clever collaging, and scruffy dogs messing up the foreground. I voted it my favourite painting.
• ‘Only the river knew her name’ - Juni Hounslow
  
  A very black title, a very sombre subject, but only for we adults who know of Ophelia’s fate. I asked a 7- year old girl why she voted it her favourite picture and she said ‘because of the lovely colours and lovely flowers’. So two quite different responses. I prefer the one of innocence.
• Nymphs of the river - Mitiko Murata
  
  This painting starts off as a very vibrant but strongly organised Abstract. Then as you get close it becomes something quite different - a gathering of nymphs relaxing by a river. Sky and water reflect each other and harmonise perfectly with the middle area of dancing figures: ordered chaos. The visitors’ favourite, quite rightly.
• Willstone pond II - Andy Lee
  
  A totally credible summer’s day deep in the countryside. Several tones of green working beautifully together. And a beautifully dappled river gently leading the eye to a background of a field basking in the sun. Why don’t my plein air paintings end up as restful as this?
• Francesca - Kathy Burman
  
  Not a picture actually, but a piece of 3D. I loved this piece for its simplicity. The model is sitting around against a plain white background, completely relaxed, quite content (so I imagine), possibly oblivious of the frantic art all around her.

Many thanks, Geoff, for this personal view.

Award Winners

• The John Goss Prize for Best in Show – Kefalonia Walk by Chris Hewitt
• The Lady Laming Award for best Abstract – Abstract 3 by Geoff Bennett
• The Bill Dale Award for best Member’s work – Approaching Fire by Sarah Merry
• The Mayor's Award for the best 3D work sponsored by The Arts Society East Herts – Figs by Anne Gascoigne
• Best Watercolour sponsored by A S Handover Ltd Brush Manufacturers – Jug and Onions by Robert Sheffield

Open for 8 days the Exhibition attracted many visitors from a wide area. Hundreds of visitors cast their votes for their favourite exhibit.

• Visitors’ Choice Award:
  • Visitors choice: Nymphs of the River by Mitiko Murata
  • Visitors choice runner up: Hanging on by Martin Bushell
• Highly Commended:
  • Harbour Steps by Sally Steele – Watercolour
  • Life Journey by Ali Frewin – 3D

The John Goss Prize for Best in Show
Kefalonia Walk by Chris Hewitt

The Lady Laming Award for best Abstract
Abstract 3 by Geoff Bennett

The Bill Dale Award for best Member’s work
Approaching Fire by Sarah Merry

The Mayor's Award for the best 3D work sponsored by The Arts Society East Herts
Figs by Anne Gascoigne

Best Watercolour sponsored by A S Handover Ltd Brush Manufacturers
Jug and Onions by Robert Sheffield

Visitors choice: Nymphs of the River by Mitiko Murata

Visitors choice runner up: Hanging on by Martin Bushell

Highly Commended: Harbour Steps by Sally Steele – Watercolour

Highly Commended: Life Journey by Ali Frewin – 3D

The John Goss Prize for Best In Show - Chris Hewitt for Kefalonia Walk.

The Lady Laming Award for best abstract work - Geoff Bennett for Abstract 3

The Bill Dale Award to a Member - Sarah Merry for Approaching Fire

The Arts Society East Herts Award for best 3D work - Anne Gascoigne for Figs

The Brushes Award by A. S. Handover for best watercolour - Robert Sheffield for Jug and Onions

Annual Open Exhibition Reviews

• 72nd Annual Open Exhibition May 2025
• 71st Annual Open Exhibition April-May 2024
• 70th Annual Open Exhibition April-May 2023 - 51 images by Mark Roger Ely
• 69th Annual Open Exhibition April-May 2022 - 68 images by Mark Roger Ely
• 68th Annual Open Exhibition July 2021 - 43 images by Mark Roger Ely
• The Spring Show 2020 - Opened on Saturday 25th April 2020 (Online only)
• 67th Annual Open Exhibition May 2019 - 38 images by Mark Roger Ely
• 66th Annual Open Exhibition May 2018 - 61 images by Mark Roger Ely
• 65th Annual Open Exhibition May 2017 - 49 images by Mark Roger Ely
• 64th Annual Open Exhibition May 2016 - 58 images by Mark Roger Ely
• 63rd Annual Open Exhibition May 2015 - 30 images by Mark Roger Ely
• 62nd Annual Open Exhibition May 2014 - 60 images by Mark Roger Ely
• 61st Annual Open Exhibition May 2013 - 80 images by Peter Goadby-Watt

Open Exhibition Awards

We are grateful to our Sponsors for their Awards.

Each year the following Prizes are awarded:

1. The John Goss Award for the Best in Show, sponsored by Sworder Auctioneers of Fine Art.
2. Lady Laming Award for Best Abstract work.
3. Bill Dale Award, Best Work by an active Member.
4. The Mayor's Award, for the best 3D Work, sponsored by Hertford's Art Shop, Hertfordshire Graphics.
5. The Edward Mason Prize for the Best Water Colour, donated by Edward W Mason Ltd, Brush Makers.

"The Queen of Sheba" by Mark Gertler

In 1963 the Hertford Art Society sold a large nude painting "The Queen of Sheba" by Mark Gertler, to the Tate Gallery.

Background

The Open Exhibition is a celebrated part of the Hertfordshire art scene. Quality is maintained by a panel of three independent judges selecting from the wide range of more than 500 artworks presented by artists both amateur and professional. About half of these are accepted and shown. A number of major prizes are generously awarded by our sponsors.

The exhibition has a national reputation for showing exciting collectable artwork with many buyers returning each year to extend their investment in art.

This prestigious exhibition runs for two weeks at the beginning of May with Private Viewings, by invitation only, for collectors and patrons prior to opening to the public.

A Members’ folio illustrates more about the work of our Members, and we are pleased to take details of commissioned works and to put buyers in touch with their favoured artists.