The 21st Members’ Art Show and Sale
2nd - 4th November 2018
The 21st Members' Show took place in the well lit and spacious Cowbridge Hall in Hertford from 2nd to 4th November 2018. Two hundred framed artworks, submitted by 58 Members, were on show and browsers were full of unframed work. Thirty five pieces of work were sold as well as a good number of artists' greetings cards.
The range of subjects and styles made this a truly enjoyable show to visit, with something for everyone and prices to suit all. The Children's Quiz was appreciated by children and parents alike and, as usual, tea and coffee and cake were a popular attraction. Although Friday was a quiet day for visitors, the weekend was particularly busy.
Everyone who visits and revisits the show has their favourites. The problem is choosing which one to vote for! Particularly popular among the visitors were the following: 'Nose in the Air' (camel) by Donna Chamberlain; 'Quinbury in Winter' by Sandra Edney-Lynch; 'Ladies at Ascot' by Jill Elliott; ' Rose and Cow Parsley' by Stella Green; 'Tufty' (squirrel) and also 'Alpes-Maritimes' by Pete Kelly; 'Gazebos, Ware' by Chris King; 'South Devon, plein air' by Craig Lee; 'Strolling in the Sun' by Linda Radford; 'Lion No.1' by Alyson Sharpe; 'A Sunny View' by Paul Swinge and 'Panshanger Country Park' by Fiona White.
The winner of the Visitors' Choice Award was Chris Baker with 'Port Vale Sunset'. This was a beautifully lit portrait of a much-loved street.
Voting for the Members' Choice Award (now known as the Enid Fairhead Award) was very evenly split across the whole show. I would encourage all Members who attend the show to take a moment to vote, as your vote could really swing the result!
The winner of the Enid Fairhead Award was Geoff Bennett with 'Myddelton House Greenhouse 3'. This third study of a greenhouse was a very attractive abstraction of the subject which was still readily identifiable.
The May Bennett Award for Still Life was awarded to Heather Brown with 'Fruit and Berries', a beautiful study in gouache with glowing colours.
The winner of the Mark Ely Award for most innovative/intriguing work was Chris Hewitt with 'Washington Square, New York'. This impressionist painting looked almost as though viewed through the raindrops on the window of a yellow taxi cab!
The Marie Goldsmith Award (for a member with a consistently high standard of work who has served the art society well without formal recognition of their work or service) was awarded to Jill Rolfe with 'Sea Holly'. This painting is a watercolour study with a wonderful light touch.
The Visitors' Choice Award:
'Port Vale, Sunset' by Chris Baker - Oils.
The Members' Choice Award:
'Myddleton House, Greenhouse 3' by Geoff Bennett - Acrylic.
The May Bennett Annual Award for the best still life:
'Fruit & Berries' by Heather Brown - Gouache.
The Most Intriguing Work Award, selected by Mark Ely:
'Washington Square, New York' by Chris Hewitt - Acrylic.
The Marie Goldsmith Annual Award:
'Rainy Day' by Jill Rolfe - Watercolour.
This is a show which is much appreciated by visitors, who comment on the high standard of work and the variety. It is an important showcase for the talents of the Members of Hertford Art Society (some of whom only show their work here) and it frequently brings in new Members. It would not be possible without the work of the Members, whether in setting up or dismantling the show, assisting with the hand-in, hanging or hand-back of artists' work, serving teas or stewarding. Thank you to all those who helped this year.
Frances Stevenson, Show Coordinator
Member's Show Awards
We are grateful to our Sponsors for the following Awards.
Each year the following prizes are awarded:
- The John Godden Award for the best in Show chosen by the Members, donated by the Godden family.
- The Visitors' Choice Award supported by Hertford's Art Shop, Hertfordshire Graphics.
- The May Bennett Award for the best Still Life, donated by the Bennett family.
- The Most Intriguing/Innovative Artwork - from 2010, the additional prize is a free website design & hosting for 1 year, donated by Mark Ely of SG7.biz.
MEMBERS' SHOW
Members' Show This annual exhibition is exclusively for works by Members of the Hertford Art Society.
Background The Members' Show is an annual exhibition, exclusively for the work by Members of the Hertford Art Society. It has been running successfully for a number of years now and has maintained a consistently high standard of work.
