Report on Summer Exhibition 2025
By Monica Curley
This year we made two major changes to our summer exhibition: a change of venue and a
new system of submitting entries.
The venue provided smart, welcoming and well-maintained accommodation in a lovely area
of Guildford and was an appropriate setting for the wonderful artwork received and
displayed.
Feedback on the new system of form entry was overwhelmingly positive and proved easier
for entrants to submit details of their artwork.
Our Private Preview featured our lovely VIPs: Monica Popham, winner of the Skyarts
Landscape Artist of the Year 2024 as well as the Mayor of Guildford, Howard Smith, along
with the Lady Mayoress and their children. With almost eighty attendees and a celebratory
atmosphere, it was an extremely enjoyable occasion.
The exhibition was well supported by members. We had entries from 78 artists, including
137 framed and hung paintings, 5 sculptures, 166 browser items and 12 craft items. It was a
stunning array of talent and much admired!
Footfall averaged at almost 100 visitors per day. A survey of visitors outlined the efficacy of
all of our advertising modes including banners, roadsigns, social media, flyers and magazine
listings. A substantial number of visitors were passers-by/other users of the church or
centre.
Despite the current tough economic times, sales were slightly up on last year at almost
£6,300. This comprised 48 items: 14 hung paintings, 29 browser items, 1 sculpture and 4
craft items.
Our new practice of displaying the red-dotted labels of sold artwork enabled us to showcase
the ongoing success of the exhibition, enhancing buyer confidence.
There was no shortage of enthusiasm and praise from our visitors and several have been
inspired to join us as members of the Society.
It just remains to say a huge thank you to everyone for their support and involvement.
EXHIBITION PRIZES AND AWARDS
Mayor’s Prize
Funded by Heritage Independent Mortgage Advisers Awarded to Rebekah Jackson-Stevens For The Light And The Trees
Guildford Financial Award
Awarded to Maggie Butler For Rubens Cube
The Guildford Arts Award
Funded by The Arts Society, Guildford
Awarded to Christine Taherian For Winter
The George Weil Award for Best in Mixed Media Awarded to Fran Bunting For As Time Goes By
The Guildford Institute Award
Awarded to Alison Graham
For Coastal Crescendo
The Guildford Art Society’s President’s Award
Awarded to Russell Ferranti-Donavella For Iron Horse
The Mary Wilkie Trophy
Awarded to Liz Adams For Golden Water
The Visitors’ Favourite Award
Awarded to Chris Webb For The Guildford Spiral
Are you a Guildford Art Society Member? Have you submitted your forms yet? We’re getting excited for our Summer Exhibition this August, and we hope you are too!
Watch this space for next years Art Exhbition
Please note: both forms and your entry payment are due by Saturday 19th July. We recommend submitting the Stewarding Form as early as possible, especially if you have limited availability, as preferred time slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. (Note: morning slots from Monday 4th to Friday 8th August are already full.)
Be sure to double-check your entries, as the details you type will appear on your artwork labels. Payment is due via BACS by the same deadline. Your participation will be confirmed once we’ve received your stewarding form, entry form, and payment.
If you do not receive a confirmation email, please get in touch at
exhibcoord.gas@outlook.com. We can’t wait to see your work and come together for
another fantastic exhibition!