FRIENDS’ UPDATE NOVEMBER
The Big Give Christmas Challenge Friends’ and Patrons’ Christmas Party Visit to Westminster Palace A Fairytale Winter at Watts Gallery
Elena Polenova, Winter Landscape, Moscow, 1882, © Vassily Polenov Fine Art Museum and National Park
WELCOME Dear Friends, There is palpable excitement at Watts Gallery, with talk of Father Frost, outdoor illuminations and snowy landscapes. Far from hibernating, we are approaching the winter season with vigor by opening our first ever international exhibition, A Russian Fairytale:The Art and Craft of Elena Polenova, (click here to watch our latest promotional video) preparing for the Watts Winter Weekend on 6 and 7 December and compiling a varied schedule of events for 2015, which kicks off with the Friends’ trip to Westminster Palace on 6 February. Most exciting of all is the fact that January will see the start of development of the Watts Studios in Limnerslease, which will be opening to the public in the autumn of 2015. Many of you have generously donated towards this significant project, helping us to raise an incredible £4.5million for which
we are all so grateful. There is still a shortfall of £600,000 and so we would be extremely grateful for any further contributions. Every donation is important to us. Don’t forget that as a Friend of Watts Gallery you benefit from a 10% discount in our Gift Shop, which is stocked with wonderful items for all of your Christmas Shopping needs. Unique gift ideas include a Friends Membership, or even the adoption of a Watts drawing, painting or sculpture. If you are interested in finding out more about our Adopt a Watts scheme, which starts from just £250, please contact Sarah James on developmentofficer@wattsgallery.org.uk On a personal note, it is a great privilege to work at Watts Gallery and you have all made me feel very welcome since I joined the team in September. Thank you. Charlotte Wilson Development Manager
Recent activities at Watts Gallery included the Friend-bring-a friend tour, Watts Gallery Team Triathlon to raise money for the Save the Studios Project and the Friends’ Trip to Windsor Castle
THE BIG GIVE BREAKFAST IN SUPPORT OF THE BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE Saturday 6 December, 10am onwards The general affluence in Surrey conceals hidden deprivation and social exclusion. Watts Gallery supports families, socially excluded groups and disadvantaged people through our successful Art for All programme, which provides hope, inspiration and practical skills by nurturing artistic talent and providing a sense of accomplishment. The Big Give Christmas Challenge is a national campaign which encourages online giving during the festive period. Donations made online at www.wattsgallery.org.uk from 4-6 December could be worth double. But as this is a challenge situation we need your help to reach our ÂŁ20,000 target. Register on the right hand side to receive a reminder on the mornings of the challenge to donate from any digital device.
The Big Give Breakfast will provide an opportunity to hear first-hand the real difference that Watts Gallery’s Art for All programme makes and how your donation can help us to transform lives. You will also be able to view the special one-day -only Big Issues Christmas Exhibition featuring images created by women offenders at HMP Send and clay decorations crafted by young people, as well as enjoying an exclusive tour of our winter exhibition, A Russian Fairytale.
RSVP FOR THE BIG GIVE BREAKFAST
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Watts Gallery would to like thank the following organisations for their support of the Big Give Challenge:
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FRIENDS’ AND PATRONS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY Monday 8 December, 6.30 - 8.30pm, FREE Watts Gallery would like to thank you for your ongoing support over the last year. Please join us to celebrate the festive season at our annual Christmas Party. Certainly an event not to be missed, the party will feature performances by Guildford Chamber Choir, an appearance from Father Frost and an opportunity to experience the winter illuminations designed by the Michael Varah Artist in Residence, Mary Branson, and Jono Retallick. Watts Gallery will be transformed into a Russian winter wonderland. View the exhibition, A Russian Fairytale:The Art and Craft of Elena Polenova, and try our homemade Russian treats of gingerbread, Russian marshmallows and chestnut biscuits whilst enjoying a glass of Winter Pimms.
The Visitor Centre will be open all evening for you to make the most of a one night only 15% discount and purchase your Christmas presents. There will be a raffle with fabulous prizes including champagne, free entry to Loseley House and Gardens for 2 people, a tour of the Watts Estate by Chief Art Critic of The Daily Telegraph Richard Dorment, a tour of Greyfriar’s Vine Yard and a weekend stay for 6 people on the Isle of Wight. Raffle tickets can be purchased on the night or in advance from the Visitor Centre. Watts Gallery would like to thank Squires Garden Centre for donating the Christmas Trees and Emma Verey for sponsoring the Winter Illuminations.
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FRIENDS’ TRIP TO WESTMINSTER PALACE Friday 6 February, 3.30 - 7pm, £15 This fully guided, private tour of the Houses of Parliament is exclusive to Watts Gallery Friends and Patrons and includes the opportunity to see G F Watts’s impressive artworks in the Palaces of Westminster. Watts enjoyed the challenge of decorating large murals in buildings, such as his winning design for the newly built Palace of Westminster; the Annals of Tacitus: Caractacus Led in Triumph through the Streets of Rome, which earned him £300 and the funds to travel to Italy. When he returned from Florence, he submitted a decoration of Alfred Inciting the Saxons to Prevent the Landing of the Danes by Encountering Them at Sea (1846-7) and The Triumph of the Red Cross Knight (St George Overcoming the Dragon), (c. 1852- 3), both of which will be viewed on the tour. Other tour highlights include: the historic Westminster Hall, Queen’s Robing Room,
Royal Gallery, Prince’s Chamber, Lords’ Chamber, the infamous Members’ Lobby, the Aye Lobby, Commons Chamber and St Stephen’s Hall. Please note, there are allocated places for seating in various locations on the route. Numbers on the tour are strictly limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. Watts Gallery would like to thank MP Anne Milton and Melanie Unwin, Deputy Curator of the Parliamentary Art Collection for making this trip possible.
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WATTS GALLERY A WINTER WONDERLAND Watts Gallery is embracing the festive season and invites you to join our winter celebrations. As a Friend of Watts Gallery you have access to all these benefits:
Share the Watts’ Spirit Friends gift memberships can be purchased from the shop with a beautiful box and bow - no wrapping required!
Enjoy 10% discount in the Shop Friends and Patrons enjoy a 10% discount on all items in the Watts Gallery Shop. From stocking fillers to jewellery, toys and clothing the Watts Gallery Shop can cater for every need of the discerning shopper.
A new winter menu in the Tea Shop Warm up with a cup of mulled cider or a mince pie and cup of hot chocolate after a brisk walk around the Watts Gallery Estate.
Host your Christmas Party with an exclusive 10% discount on venue hire From intimate dinners for two to fabulous receptions for two hundred Watts Gallery provides a truly memorable venue. You and your guests can dine amongst the works after taking drinks with the Grade-II listed Arts and Crafts building as your backdrop. Contact Alex Hutchings on 01483 813 580 visitorservices@wattsgallery.org.uk
Bring your Christmas visitors Watts Gallery is open every day throughout the Christmas period except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Please bring your guests along to make the most of our 2-for-1 entry offer throughout December.
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