FRIENDS’ UPDATE JULY
FRIENDS’ BRING-A-FRIEND EVENT VISIT WINDSOR CASTLE HELP WATTS GALLERY WITH EASYFUNDRAISING EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FOR FRIENDS
WELCOME Dear Friends, There is a buzz around Watts Gallery – and not just the bees in the glorious summer beds. Newly commissioned busts of GF and Mary Watts have been installed in the gables, the new Ellen Terry exhibition uses film for the first time to illuminate the 19th century’s leading lady and, after an eightyear wait, we finally have a new major acquisition, Self Portrait in a Red Robe, GF Watts, 1953. Thank you to all those who have donated. We still have £11k to raise towards the shortfall and we would be so grateful for any further help. This update gives some details about some forthcoming events. Additionally, we have a few spaces still available for the bespoke Watts trip to Russia, 3-9 October. Contact admin@wattsgallery.org.uk for details. Also new to the events calendar is the first Director’s Lunch for Utmost Friends on
Friday, 19 September. Utmost Friends have generously opted to donate £100 or more per year to give more significant support. We welcome anyone join as an Utmost Friend by contacting friends@wattsgallery.org.uk Also thank you to so many of you for taking up the offer to donate your membership by Direct Debit. The response has been tremendous and it really does help reduce our administration. On a final note, after 9 years on staff at Watts Gallery, I am relocating with my family to Devon. It has been such a privilege to have been part of the revival of the Artists’ Village during that time. With your support as Friends, so much has been achieved. Thank you.
Stephanie Dennison Development Manager
FRIENDS’ BRING A FRIEND TALK & ARCHIVE TOUR Thursday 18 July, 10am -11am. FREE Introduce a friend to Watts Gallery with this opportunity to see behind-the-scenes at Watts Gallery and explore drawings collection that is not yet on public display.
explore the rest of Watts Gallery Estate, The temporary exhibition Ellen Terry: A Painter’s Actress was recently listed as the Critics Choice in The Times so not one to be missed.
The event begins at 10am with coffee then take a chance to wander with a friend around the historic galleries while they are closed to the public.
The Watts Gallery Visitor Centre shop and Old Pottery Gallery will be open on the day, packed with gift ideas and treats and a leading selection of new and second hand art books. The Old Pottery Gallery is currently exhibiting Peter Blake: Pop Victoriana a crosssection of the ‘godfather of British pop art’s’ print editions.
Dr Chloe Kroeter, Curatorial Fellow, will lead a introductory tour of Watts Gallery, then reveal insights into her research focus, the Watts Drawings Collection. You will have the chance to see a range of drawings, from those the artist completed when he was aged 10, to preparatory designs of some of his greatest masterpieces. After the talk and tour you will be free to
Pictured above: Conservator Louise Drover working on the drawings, funded by the Association of Independent Museums.
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FRIENDS’ EXCLUSIVE TRIP TO WINDSOR CASTLE Wednesday 15 October, 9am - 5pm, £45 including lunch Join us for a morning visit to see a special exhibition, Treasures From The Royal Archives, many of which have never been on public show before. Former Watts Gallery Curatorial Assistant, Jen Roberts, now working for the Royal Collection will share insights into her research project. The exhibition promises a fascinating insight into the lives of monarchs and includes correspondence sent between members of the royal family, such as a letter written in German by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria during their engagement. The event will also include a 2-course lunch at the Harte & Garter Hotel nearby in Windsor, followed afterwards by access to the castle’s State Apartments including an Audio Tour. An audio tour will also be available of
Queen Mary's Dolls' House, the most famous dolls' house in the world, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, which includes terracotta window boxes made at the Compton Pottery. The Dolls' House took three years to complete and involved 1,500 craftsmen, artists and authors. A showcase for British craftsmanship, the house is a perfect time capsule of a grand family's lifestyle in the 1920s. Bookings must be received by 20 August. Transport from Compton will be available at an optional extra. Please inform Watts Gallery when booking if this is something you would be interested in.
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SUPPORT WHILE YOU SHOP WITH EASYFUNDRAISING
Do you shop online? You could help raise money for Watts Gallery while doing your normal shopping at no extra cost. Simply register at the link in the bottom right hand corner and install the ‘find and remind’ toolbar. Each time you are on a site that is eligible for a donation a reminder will pop up.
“It’s so easy to do, everyone should sign up. I’ve made donations on lots of purchases from booking my ferry tickets, to ordering dog food! It really is so simple.” John Petty, volunteer. By clicking on the image below you can watch a video that explains exactly how the scheme works.
A percentage of each online purchase you make will then be donated to Watts Gallery helping to support everything from school trips to exhibitions, conservation of the collection and outreach work. Watts Gallery is an independent museum that receives no regular government funding, every bit really does help. A whole range of online retailers are signed up from Amazon to Marks & Spencer's and John Lewis.
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EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS FOR FRIENDS ON ALL COURSES Don’t forget that as a benefit or your membership there are exclusive discounts on all our courses.
“Drawing in the Gallery was an amazing opportunity,” a participant..
HISTORY OF VICTORIAN PAINTING Mondays, 22, 29 September, 6, 13, 20 October, 11am - 1pm SPECIAL FRIENDS PRICE £175. Covering a range of topics: Genre Painting, The Pre-Raphaelites, Social Realism, The Aesthetic Movement and Late Victorian Art. THE WATTS DRAWING COURSE Thursdays 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 October & 6, November, 6.30 - 8.30pm, SPECIAL FRIENDS PRICE £115 Learn different drawing techniques, working at easels in the Gallery, in front of the collection, taking inspiration from G.F. Watts’s work, the environment and still life.
Suitable for beginners and previous course participants. THE TERRACOTTA POTTERY COURSE Thursdays 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 October & 6, November, 6.30 - 8.30pm, SPECIAL FRIENDS PRICE £115 Choose from a variety of projects from buttons to bookends, inspired by the heritage of Compton Pottery. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience who would like to try new projects.
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