Looking forward and looking back

In common with many arts organisations in the present economic climate St George’s Arts is having to take a break for a while. We are immensely proud of our achievements over the past few years and so glad to have been able to work with the inspiring and interesting artists that we did. We would like to thank them for their hard work and the enjoyment that they and their work brought to St Georges. We would also like to thank our funders and supporters both organisations and individuals who have made the art programme of residencies, exhibitions and workshops since 2007 possible.

Arts Council England, The R C Sherriff Trust, Elmbridge Borough Council, The Churches Conservation Trust, The Friends of St George’s, Surrey Arts, Surrey County Council, Surrey Community Foundation, a-n.

Veronica King, Lorretta Howells, Sam Thompson, Maggs Latter, Alison Clarke, Caroline Jackman, John Viger, Gill Barnett and all the volunteers from the Friends of St George’s Church, Gill Nason.

The artists who have worked and shown at St George’s Arts, Jane Ponsford,  Clare Rye,  Louise Nason, Helen Scalway, Mary Branson, Rebecca Price, Roz Cran, Claire Reed, Janet Medway, Ann Varlow, Richenda Court, Peggy Cozzi, Wendy MacMillan, Tracey Kershaw, Debi Retallick, Susan Francis, Jean Thompson, Sophie Morgan, Zita Saffrette, Sonja Benskin-Mesher, June Gillert, Kasia Depta-Garapich, Lulu MacDonald and Maggie Rose.

I’d like to thank Rebecca Price who so ably took on the role of Director and Exhibition Organiser at St George’s during 2012.

Looking forward, I hope that the visual arts will flourish again at St George’s Arts in the inspiring setting of the Tudor church of St George, Esher.

Jane Ponsford

Artist in residence 2007, founder and Director of St George’s Arts 2008 – 2012

Over the next few weeks the website will be updated as an archive 

Look:Hear Youth Arts Festival

Our final event of 2012 at St George’s Arts is an exhibition of children’s art. This will include prints made by students of Hinchley Wood School during Richenda Court’s ‘Dance Signatures’ residency; and also work by younger children, selected for our ‘My Favourite Story’ competition. This is a great chance to see some vibrant artworks by our next generation of artists.

The exhibition runs from 23rd – 30th November and you are warmly invited to attend the launch on Thursday 22nd November, 6-8pm, where the winners of the competition will be announced at 7pm.

Next at St George’s Arts

October and November are full of exciting things here at St George’s. On October 13th the ever popular Big Draw returns to encourage everyone to join in. For those who have not come across the Big Draw before, a little bit about it and what our theme is this year.

The Big Draw is a popular annual drawing project, taking place every October at venues in twenty different countries worldwide. Artists Richenda Court and Rebecca Price will be on hand to inspire everyone to draw using a variety of materials. The theme this year is ‘My Favourite Story’ and finished works can be entered for the Look:Hear Youth Art Competition.

So join us at St George’s to make your mark and rediscover what fun drawing can be!

Saturday 13 October 1.00-4.30pm Free Family Art Workshop

Details: 01372 464881 or st.georgesarts.esher@gmail.com

The Tale-Spinners Art Competition

As part of the Look:Hear Youth Arts Festival, Elmbridge Borough Council, The R C Sherriff Trust and St George’s Arts invite young artists to enter an art competition on the theme of ‘My Favourite Story’. We are looking for artworks that use texture and colour to express the atmosphere of the story, rather than just literal interpretations or copies of existing illustrations.

Prizes will be awarded to winning entries and the best work will be exhibited at St. George’s Arts in November, as part of the Look:Hear Festival..

Three categories: 8-11, 12-14 15-18 yrs old

Maximum size: A3 (29.7 x 42 cm) for 8 – 14 yrs; !00 x 80cm for 15 – 18 yrs

Please write your name, age category, telephone and parent’s email address on the back of the picture, and deliver it in an envelope marked ‘Tale-Spinners Art Competition’, to:

Peter Allen, Arts Development Officer,

Elmbridge Borough Council,

Civic Centre,

Esher,

Surrey,

KT10 9SD

The closing date for entries is 26 October 2012.

If you would like to have your artwork returned, please also include a SAE.

Judging will take place at the beginning of November and the winning entries notified by 9 November.

For more details, contact Peter Allen: arts@elmbridge.gov.uk

Look: Hear Youth Art Exhibition

Friday 23 – Fri 30 November (10am – 4pm Mon – Sat)

An exhibition showcasing the best of Elmbridge’s young artists, as part of the Elmbridge Youth Arts Festival. The exhibition will include all the winners of the Tale-Spinners Art Competition and also work done by students from Hinchley Wood school at Richenda Court’s ‘Dance Signatures’ workshops earlier this year.

Launch: Thursday 22 November 6-8pm

Details: 01372 464881 orst.georgesarts.esher@gmail.com

 

Modern Madonnas

‘Palace of Sham’ Susan Francis

‘Modern Madonnas’ is a group exhibition taking place from 26 May – 17 June. St George’s Arts has chosen thirteen artists from all over Britain, whose works provide a thoughtful response to the relationship between mother and child.

Peggy Cozzi, Wendy MacMillan, Tracey Kershaw, Debi Retallick, Susan Francis, Jean Thompson, Sophie Morgan, Zita Saffrette, Sonja Benskin-Mesher, June Gillert, Kasia Depta Garapich, Lulu MacDonald, Maggie Rose

St George’s Arts, St George’s Church, Esher Park Avenue, Esher KT10 9RQ, is near the junction of Claremont Lane (the A244) and Esher Park Avenue, behind the Bear Public House. Esher is just on the border of South West London.

The exhibition runs from 26 May – 17 June 11.00 am – 3.00 pm Monday – Saturday (except bank holidays)

There will be three related art workshops:

Back-to-Art Mothers:                        Sat 26 May

Parent and Child Art Workshop:      Fri 8 June

Modern Madonnas Art Workshop: Wed 13 June

For more information, or to book for the workshops, emailst.georgesarts.esher@gmail.com, phone Rebecca Price on 01372 464881 or visit https://stgeorgesarts.wordpress.com.

Modern Madonnas, Private View: 31 May 6.30 – 8.30 pm

You are warmly invited to the private view of ‘Modern Madonnas’, an exhibition celebrating the mother and child relationship

on Thursday 31 May between 6.30 and 8.30 pm

RSVP 01372 464881 or st.georgesarts.esher@gmail.com

‘Modern Madonnas’ is an exciting new group exhibition taking place during May and June. St George’s Arts has chosen thirteen artists from all over Britain, whose works provide a thoughtful response to the relationship between mother and child.

Peggy Cozzi, Wendy MacMillan, Tracey Kershaw, Debi Retallick, Susan Francis, Jean Thompson, Sophie Morgan, Zita Saffrette, Sonja Benskin-Mesher, June Gillert, Kasia Depta Garapich, Lulu MacDonald, Maggie Rose

St George’s Arts, St George’s Church, Esher Park Avenue, Esher KT10 9RQ, is near the junction of Claremont Lane (the A244) and Esher Park Avenue, behind the Bear Public House. Esher is just on the border of South West London.

The exhibition runs from 26 May – 17 June 11.00 am – 3.00 pm Monday – Saturday (except bank holidays)

There will be three related art workshops:

Back-to-Art Mothers:                        Sat 26 May

Parent and Child Art Workshop:      Fri 8 June

Modern Madonnas Art Workshop: Wed 13 June

For more information, or to book for the workshops, email st.georgesarts.esher@gmail.com, phone Rebecca Price on 01372 464881 or visit https://stgeorgesarts.wordpress.com.

Modern Madonnas, upcoming exhibition 26 May – 17 June

‘A nest of 40 eggs’ by Maggie Rose

‘Modern Madonnas’ is an exciting new group exhibition taking place in Esher during May and June. St George’s Arts has chosen thirteen artists from all over Britain, whose works provide a thoughtful response to the relationship between mother and child.

Set in the beautiful setting of St George’s Church, Esher, which, over the past five years has been building its reputation as a showcase for cutting edge art, ‘Modern Madonnas’ includes paintings, prints, photography, video, sculpture and installation.

Considering how many people become parents, it is perhaps rather surprising how rarely this theme is used today by artists. So it is refreshing here to see original ideas covering all aspects of motherhood.

‘Woman Rowing Boat’ by Jean Thompson

While some will be intrigued by Jean Thompson’s dreamlike etchings, (is the couple in the boat abandoning their baby in the water, or rowing out to save it?) others will relate to Tracey Kershaw’s images of a child’s fingernails being cut, representing the passage of time. As parents, we are so caught up in the routine of everyday life, that we often lose sight of the fact that our child is growing up, only becoming aware of this when we carry out these mundane rituals.

Kasia Depta-Garapich’s  pillar-like structures look strong, although they are made of paper; maybe a metaphor for the role of a mother holding together the family

Meanwhile, in ‘Eating Eggs’, Maggie Rose has filmed herself eating an egg, and then run it backwards. The result looks like a conjuring trick as she manages to produce a perfect egg from her mouth, but is this really so different from the miraculous act of giving birth to a baby?

‘Modern Madonnas’ runs from 26May – 17 June, 11am-3pm Mon-Sat, excluding bank holidays.

(Private View: Thursday 31 May)

There will be three related art workshops:

Back-to-Art Mothers:                        Sat 26 May

Parent and Child Art Workshop:      Fri 8 June

Modern Madonnas Art Workshop: Wed 13 June

For more information, or to book for the workshops, emailst.georgesarts.esher@gmail.com, phone 01372 464881 or visit https://stgeorgesarts.wordpress.com.

St George’s Arts, St George’s Church, Esher Park Avenue, Esher KT10 9RQ, is near the junction of Claremont Lane (the A244) and Esher Park Avenue, behind the Bear Public House.

The closing evening of Richenda Court’s Dance Signatures

You are warmly invited to the event marking the end of Richenda Court’s residency project at St George’s. Do join us on Thursday 26 April 6.30 – 8.30 pm to see the results of her project ‘Dance Signatures’.

Please RSVP to 07799 107108

St George’s Arts, St George’s Church, Esher Park Avenue, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9RQ

St George’s Church is near the junction of Claremont Lane (the A244) and Esher Park Avenue behind the Bear Public House. The nearest Bus stop is on Esher High Street (2 mins). There is parking directly outside (including disabled parking) or a pay car park at the Civic Centre (5 mins). Walk to St George’s from the car park via a path next to the Library. Additional parking (free in the evenings) can be found on the other side of Claremont Lane.

Richenda Court’s ‘Dance Signatures’ project begins

This exciting project will follow our 2012 artist in residence, Richenda Court as she explores the relationship between art and dance. Richenda, who studied both fine art and dance at Brighton University, will be inviting dancers into St George’s Church, running workshops for local secondary schools, and using the residency to push her own work into a new dimension. Her studio will be open to the public each Friday, and here you are welcome to watch her work progressing, and even take part yourself. The launch of her project is on Thursday 6 March between 6.30 and 8.30 pm. Do join us to welcome Richenda to St George’s. RSVP to stgeorgesarts.esher@gmail.com or phone on 01372 464881

Modern Madonnas Exhibition – call for applications

‘Modern Madonnas’ is a selected group exhibition on the theme of motherhood, taking place from 26^th May- 17^th June, at St George’s Arts, Esher. We are looking for contemporary interpretations of the ‘mother and child theme’, both figurative and abstract, and welcome submissions of painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography textile and installation. Please email for an appointment to see the space, if you would like to submit a site-specific proposal. The selection panel will include Alison Clarke, Surrey Arts Officer.

St George’s Arts is based at St George’s Church, a beautiful historic church, which has been hosting contemporary, innovative exhibitions and residencies since 2007.

To apply, please email a CV, statement and up to 6 images of your work to   st.georgesarts.esher@gmail.com

or post a CD to    ‘Modern Madonnas’

St George’s Arts
St George’s Church
Esher Park Avenue
Esher
Surrey
KT10 9RQ

Include title, size and medium, and a SAE for return of CD (if posting). Images should be around 1mb in size. Work sent must be available from May.

Deadline for applications: 26th March

 

Richenda Court: Dance Signatures, 8 March – 26 April

Following the success of ‘The Colour of Music’ last year we present another crossover project for 2012, this time bringing together art and dance. This exciting residency will follow artist Richenda Court as she explores the relationship between movement and visual art, through printmaking.

Richenda, who studied both fine art and dance at Brighton University, will be inviting dancers into St George’s Church, running workshops for local secondary schools, and using the residency to push her own work into a new dimension. Her studio will be open to the public each Friday, and here you are welcome to watch her work progressing, and even take part yourself.

Launch Exhibition: Thurs 8 March 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Admission: Free

Residency: 9 March – 26 April 2012

Open Studio: Every Friday 10.00am – 2.30pm (except 6 April), Saturdays 17 March and 21 April 10.00am – 5.00pm

Admission: Free

Final Exhibition: Thurs 26 April 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Admission: Free

Contact tel: 01372 464881 / 07799 107108

Call 01372 464370 for information about this event and other activities

you can also email St. George’s Arts atstgeorgesarts@btinternet.com

St George’s Church is near the junction of Claremont Lane (the A244) and Esher Park Avenue behind the Bear Public House. The nearest Bus stop is on Esher High Street (2 mins). There is parking directly outside (including disabled parking) or a pay car park at the Civic Centre (5 mins). Walk to St George’s from the car park via a path next to the Library. Additional parking (free in the evenings) can be found on the other side of Claremont Lane.

Coming next! watch out for Modern Madonnas

A group exhibition which is a contemporary take on motherhood.