Hertford Art Society 71st Open Exhibition

April 27th to May 5th 2024

“Wonderful. So much talent.” “Superb Exhibition” “A joyous visit” “We always enjoy this Exhibition – the paintings are so very good – and varied.” “Beautiful work” “Fantastic range of artworks – very inspiring” “Wide selection of skillful and absorbing pitcures, especially portraits”

These were among the 60 comments kindly left by visitors to this year’s Exhibition. The selection of work for a place in the Exhibition is made by a panel of eminent, practising artists who are completely independent of the Society. This year we were pleased to welcome Paul Curtis, Joanna Pearl and James Willis as judges. The style of the Open Exhibition varies year by year. The range of expertise and opinion of the judges and the wide variety of work submitted, ensures that a unique mix of artworks is displayed each year. This year 108 artists submitted 422 items for consideration. 287 2D works were selected for hanging and these, together with 27 sculptures and 3D items provided visitors with a colourful, diverse and exciting Exhibition at Cowbridge Halls.

There was something for everyone: atmospheric landscapes, townscapes and seascapes, abstracts, figures and delightful portraits, still life images, flower portraits and a large variety of animals, birds and some interesting beetles. The exhibits included oils, acrylics and watercolours; lino and screen prints; digital images; pastel, pencil, charcoal and ink drawings; collage and 3 D works in a variety of materials. Some works were rich in colour and boldly executed, others delicate. Many, this year, were in monochrome, ranging from large pen and ink scenes to mysterious abstracts. One drawing by Colin J Clark so impressed our judge James Willis that he awarded a prize for Best Drawing. Additional works were displayed at other venues in Hertford.

The exhibition attracted many visitors from a wide area. In addition to the prizes awarded by the judges, visitors cast their votes for their favourite exhibit - the winner was Hertfordshire Scene 4/4 by Fiona White and the runner up, Girl in a Black Dress by Jill Elliot.

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

Award Winners

• The John Goss Prize for Best in Show awarded to John Jarratt for 'Finished'
• The Lady Laming Award for best Abstract awarded to Judith Moule for 'Beneath the surface'
• The Bill Dale Award for best Member’s work awarded to Angela Roberts for 'Tulips and masons china'
• The Mayor's Award for the best 3D work sponsored by The Arts Society East Herts awarded to John Speilman for 'Offcuts'
• Best Watercolour sponsored by A S Handover Ltd Brush Manufacturers awarded to Jill Rolfe for 'Dark over Bill’s Mother’s'
• Drawing Prize – Special donation by James Willis (judge) awarded to Colin J Clarke for 'The outgoing tide, Pembrokeshire'
• Visitors’ Choice Award awarded to Fiona White for 'Hertfordshire Scene 4/4'
• Visitors’ Choice Runner up awarded to Jill Elliot for 'Girl in a Black Dress'

The John Goss Prize for Best in Show - Finished by John Jarratt

The Lady Laming Award for best Abstract - Beneath the surface by Judith Moule

The Bill Dale Award for best Member’s work - Tulips and masons china by Angela Roberts

The Mayor's Award for the best 3D work sponsored by The Arts Society East Herts - Offcuts by John Speilman

Best Watercolour sponsored by A S Handover Ltd Brush Manufacturers - Dark over Bill’s Mother’s by Jill Rolfe

Drawing Prize – Special donation by James Willis (judge) - The outgoing tide, Pembrokeshire by Colin J Clarke

Visitors’ Choice Award - Hertfordshire Scene 4/4 by Fiona White

Visitors’ Choice Runner up - Girl in a Black Dress by Jill Elliot

Craig Morton presenting set of watercolour brushes from A S Handover Ltd. to Jill Rolfe for Best Watercolour

Diana Dale presenting The Bill Dale Award for Best Member's Work to Angela Roberts

Lord Laming presenting special Award for Best Drawing donated by Judge James Willis to Colin J Clarke

Lord Salisbury presenting The John Goss Award for Best in Show to John Jarratt

Hertford Mayor Vicky Smith presenting The Mayor's Award for best 3D Work to John Spielman. This Award sponsored by The Arts Society East Herts.

Hertford Art Society 25th Members’ Show

Cowbridge Hall, Cowbridge, Hertford SG14 1PG
Friday 27th - Sunday 29th October 2023

• “Brilliant Exhibition – as usual”
• “Beautiful Work”
• “Lovely artwork. Well done once again.”
• “Excellent paintings”
• “A pleasure to visit every time. Lovely”
• ”Thank you for another interesting and enjoyable exhibition"
• “Beautiful and inspiring exhibition, well done HAS”

These are just a few of the comments made by visitors during the course of this year’s Members’ Show in Cowbridge Hall, a light and airy venue which shows work at its best. All Members are invited to contribute to this Show and this year 56 artists exhibited 197 works. There were atmospheric landscapes, townscapes and seascapes; lots of boats; still life images (one of two fried eggs!), delicate flower paintings and bold leaf prints; engaging portraits and figures; abstracts, and a lovely variety of animals (including a sleepy Alsatian, a curious chimp, two portraits of fluffy tabby cats, mother and baby elephants, a herd of sheep and lots of foxes this year). Some works were colourful and bold, others subtle and elusive in a wide variety of mediums. There was 3D work in ceramic and a display of carved translucent alabaster shapes in the form of a calm Japanese garden.

A childrens’ quiz kept children (and their parents) engaged as they explored the hall for solutions. Vibrant greetings cards were also for sale.

Grateful thanks go to all the Members who worked hard to set up this 3 day show. It was a great success – over 160 votes were cast for the Visitors’ Choice prize. There was something for everyone and the opportunity to relax with coffee, tea and homemade cake while admiring the artwork was appreciated by many.

Prizewinners

Marie Goldsmith Award for a Member with a high standard of work who has served the Art Society well without formal recognition

• Mardlebury Farm by Ted Walsby – Oil

Stephen Lowe Award for most intriguing work

• Orange-blue Contrast Piece by Lucy Dale – Mixed Media

Visitors’ Choice Award

• Old Wave Breaker by Michael Lawrence – Oil

Enid Fairhead Award for best work chosen by Members

• Royal Gate, Green Park by Bill Dean - Watercolour

Mardlebury Farm by Ted Walsby – Oil

Orange-blue Contrast Piece by Lucy Dale – Mixed Media

Old Wave Breaker by Michael Lawrence – Oil

Royal Gate, Green Park by Bill Dean - Watercolour