Report on Summer Exhibition 2025

Award Ceremony at St John's Centre, Merrow

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