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

Hertford Art Society 26th Members’ Show

Cowbridge Hall, Cowbridge, Hertford SG14 1PG
Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd November 2024

All Members of Hertford Art Society are invited to put work into this Show and this year 58 artists contributed 198 works.

Visitors enjoyed a great variety of artwork in all manner of mediums. Some were bold and colourful, some delicate, some monochrome. There were abstract images which told mysterious stories; atmospheric landscapes, townscapes and seascapes; still life images (two giant scones topped with jam looked delicious), boats and cranes; flower paintings in many exciting styles; engaging portraits and figures (one of passengers on a tube train, caught in their own worlds); and brilliant images of animals and birds. There was a spooky corner as the opening evening was Halloween. 3D work featured in wire, wood and ceramic and two displays of fruit on large reclaimed pieces of bark which had been imaginatively painted.

There was a quiz for children to seek out answers as they looked around (with a bit of help from their parents!) and a great selection of arty greetings cards.

Many Members helped to set up this 3 day show. There is a great deal of work involved and grateful thanks go to all the Members who gave their time and to the stewards who greeted visitors and ensured that all ran smoothly.

The Show was very well received and visitors commented on the wide variety of exhibits, something to please everyone. Many were also delighted to be able to enjoy the refreshments and homemade cakes contributed by Members.

Prizewinners

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

• The World in Boxes by Jenny Stratfold - Collage

Stephen Lowe Award for most intriguing work

• Fascinating Rhythm by Marianne Dorn - Mixed Media

Visitors’ Choice Award

• Flowers for you by Anne Roworth - Acrylic

This year there was an extra prize awarded for The Best Title

• Circles of pleasure by Ray Ward - Acrylic

There was also a Raffle of a beautiful flower painting kindly donated by Eugenia Alekseyev.

The World in Boxes by Jenny Stratfold - Collage

Fascinating Rhythm by Marianne Dorn - Mixed Media

Flowers for you by Anne Roworth - Acrylic

Circles of pleasure by Ray Ward - Acrylic

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