Explore THE
Artists’ Village Galleries • Chapel • Artists’ Home & Studios
Watts Studios opening January 2016 wattsgallery.org.uk
FIND OUT WHAT’S NEW IN OUR ARTISTS’ VILLAGE Follow a winding footpath through woodland to discover the former home and studios of celebrated artists G F and Mary Watts. Smell the oils and varnish and step back in time to where Watts worked on his huge masterpieces. Gain an insight into the beautiful work of designer Mary Watts, creator of the Watts Chapel. Discover the story of the Wattses’ lives, their endeavours and aspirations. Take a picnic and experience the natural landscape or enjoy a home-cooked meal in our award-winning Tea Shop. Pick up a free Family Trail and Activity Backpack. Kids go FREE
Watts Gallery Artists’ Village In the heart of the Surrey Hills is the Artists’ Village, a unique arts heritage site. Founded by Victorian artists G F and Mary Watts the Artists’ Village provides a gateway for inspiration, learning and creation. With our extensive programme of tours, talks, workshops and exhibitions the Artists’ Village legacy of Art for All lives on.
Watts Gallery First opened in 1904, Watts Gallery was built to be at the centre of all that the Wattses had created in Compton. As you walk through the jewel-like gallery rooms you will discover paintings and sculptures by artist G F Watts, internationally acclaimed in his time and described as ‘England’s Michelangelo’. In addition to our permanent collection we also offer inspiring exhibitions that shed light on 19th and 20th-century art, architecture and social history.
Evelyn De Morgan, The Storm Spirits, 1900, Oil on Canvas, The De Morgan Foundation
THE DE MORGAN COLLECTION William and Evelyn De Morgan were not only close friends of the Wattses but also key figures in the Arts & Crafts Movement. We are delighted to be able to exhibit their remarkable ceramics and oil paintings (on loan from the De Morgan Foundation), which provide an insight into their creative partnership and reveal their extraordinary talents.
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Mary Watts, Aldershot Panel, C.1916-1921, Gesso and wood, Watts Gallery
Alexander Creswell, G F Watts Studio, 2015, Watercolour
Watts Studios Unlocking the past, inspiring art for the future We are excited to be opening Watts Studios this year, connecting the Artists’ Village in Compton and exploring the creative, social and domestic lives of G F and Mary Watts, whose husband and wife partnership offers as much fascination as the work they each produced. G F WATTS STUDIO: Smell the oils and varnish, read the notes written by Watts strewn across his work desk, view his unfinished works and step back in time to where Watts worked on his huge masterpieces such as the Court of Death (on loan from Tate) – suspended from the rafters in this atmospheric chapel-like space. MARY WATTS GALLERY: We have dedicated this gallery to the work of Mary Watts, an Arts & Crafts designer whose work was inspired by the roots and origins of other cultures and religions. Learn the techniques she used when creating Watts Chapel through a newly commissioned model and gain an insight into her early years captured in her beautifully illustrated photograph album. COMPTON GALLERY: Explore the story of the Wattses’ lives in Compton, the building of Limnerslease and the relationships they formed with the local community. CONSERVATION STUDIO: See how conservators are restoring this Collection of national significance.
NEW for6 201
Be inspired. Book on to our extensive programme of events and workshops for all ages from the under 5’s to the 95’s.
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Watts Chapel A short stroll along Down Lane will bring you to the Grade 1 listed Watts Chapel designed by Mary Watts. A fusion of Art Nouveau and Celtic influences, it still serves the local community today and it is impossible not to admire the work and vision that lay behind this architectural gem. ‘One of the most beautiful, extraordinary and magical buildings of the whole British Isles’ Lucinda Lambton
Limnerslease Wander up the gentle winding path, pausing on one of the wooden benches inspired by Mary Watts’s designs and made by local craftsmen, to admire the view. Enjoy the natural woodland as it opens up to reveal the house on the hill, home to G F and Mary Watts and designed in Arts & Crafts style by renowned architect Sir Ernest George. This will be our next restoration project.
01483 810235
THE Tea Shop Enjoy our fresh, seasonal food made on the premises and served by our friendly staff. The Welsh Rarebit is what we are famous for, but we also offer a selection of homemade soups, sandwiches and salads, a sumptuous selection of cakes, mouth-watering cream teas and hot desserts.
Shop Discover an Aladdin’s Cave of beautiful gifts: from homeware and stationery to art books and clothing, handmade crafts and bespoke jewellery inspired by the Artists’ Village. The only gallery in the UK still selling fresh eggs, the Shop is a unique part of the Artists’ Village.
Watts Contemporary Gallery Take the opportunity to enjoy and purchase unique contemporary works of art by local and national artists and makers. A series of exhibitions are held throughout the year including our annual Big Issues exhibition. This project offers artist-led workshops to vulnerable and socially excluded people and has touched the lives of hundreds of participants since 2006.
HELP
PROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE Become a Friend or Patron
Become a Friend or Patron of Watts Gallery Trust and help us create an international centre for the exploration, discovery and appreciation of Victorian art, social history, craft, design and architecture. Becoming a Watts Gallery Trust Friend or Patron is a wonderful way to learn more about us, be a part of the Watts family and help us achieve our mission of Art for All while enjoying a range of offers and activities. • • • • • •
Unlimited admissions First view of exhibitions Exclusive events, trips and visits Subscription to the Watts Magazine Discount in the Watts Shop Discount on courses and public events
To find out more about joining the Friends of Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village, visit wattsgallery.org.uk or call 01483 813595
wattsgallery.org.uk
Opening times
Mon
Tues - Sun
(including Bank Holidays)
Watts Gallery & Watts Studios Visitor Centre, Shop & Watts Contemporary Gallery
Closed 10.30am 5.15pm
10.30am 5.15pm
The Tea Shop
10.30am - 5pm
10.30am - 5pm
Mon - Fri
Sat - Sun
11am - 5pm Last entry 4.30pm
Watts Chapel
9am - 5pm
10am - 5pm
Limnerslease
By tours only
By tours only
Admission prices to Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village: Adults Students Children 16 and under Watts Gallery Friends Tuesday
£9.50 (£10.50 with Gift Aid) £4.75 FREE FREE ALL TICKETS £4.75 (£5.75 with Gift Aid)
Watts Gallery Friends receive 10% off all bookable events. Event concessions: ES40 holders, Disabled visitors and students receive a 10% discount to ticketed events. The student concession applies to full or part-time UK students taking state funded or private courses accredited by nationally approved agencies. A current institutional student card or NUS card is acceptable as proof of status. Overseas students with an EC student card or International Student Identity Card (ISIC) also qualify for the student rate.
Event bookings & Visitor Centre: 01483 813 593 Groups: coach parties welcome if booked in advance. Group rates/ tours are available. 01483 813589 / groups@wattsgallery.org.uk Schools: a schools programme is available. schools@wattsgallery.org.uk Venue hire: catered events, meetings and conferences, parties. 01483 813580 / visitorservices@wattsgallery.org.uk Access: Watts Gallery, Watts Studios, Shop and Tea Shop are fully accessible. Dedicated car spaces are available for disabled visitors and wheelchairs are available on site. We regret Limnerslease and the Watts Contemporary Gallery are not currently wheelchair accessible. There is a short uphill walk to both Limnerslease, Watts Studios and Chapel. Parking: on site car parks at both Watts Gallery and Watts Studios. How to find us: Car from A3, take Godalming junction, follow brown signs to Watts Gallery and then signs for Compton. First left off B3000. Bus No.46 from Guildford bus station. Mon-Sat, 9-6pm. Rail Guildford Station. Trains from London Waterloo run direct approximately 4 times an hour. 5 minute taxi drive from station. Walk or cycle along the North Downs Way in the Surrey Hills. Collection on Sundays from Guildford Train Station, visit the website to find out more.
Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village Down Lane, Compton, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1DQ Charity No. 313612
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