Latest News

28 July 2008
Family Open Day a Huge Success

Watts's Progress recreated in a drop-in workshop and hung in the original frame whilst the painting is away for restoration.

Watts Gallery in Compton was delighted to discover that the winners of the Free Family Friends of Watts Gallery Membership had chosen to visit Watts Gallery on their very first date!  Rebecca and Julian Sykes, who won the prize by being the first 'family' to register their arrival at Watts Gallery's Open Day on Sunday 27 July, had brought their neighbours' grandchildren along to enjoy the free event, and as such the Gallery is also awarding Free Membership to the children and their grandparents.

The event was the FINAL Open Day to take place at Watts Gallery before a major 2-year restoration project begins this autumn, and visitors were blessed with glorious weather to enjoy a whole host of free hands-on art activities, tours and talks which took place across the Watts Gallery Estate.

BBC Southern Counties Radio's Fred Marden 'cut the ribbon' to open the day, and talked movingly about the "special feeling" he shared with his mother and late father for Watts Gallery.  Fred looked ahead to the autumn and winter exhibitions of the Watts Gallery collection, taking place in London and New York, and hailed these as a wonderful opportunity to "spread the word" about GF Watts and Compton's Watts Gallery.

Other special visitors included Geoffrey Watts, Great Great Nephew of George Frederic, and celebrated children's author and illustrator, Val Biro, who entertained children and adults alike with his storytelling sessions about his much-loved Vintage car, Gumdrop.
The inspiration behind these stories, a beautifully maintained 1926 Austen Healey, was parked proudly directly outside Watts Gallery and attracted much attention throughout the day.

Commenting on the Open Day, Watts Gallery's Curator, Mark Bills, said, "This was a truly momentous day in Watts Gallery's 104-year history. GF and Mary Watts established Watts Gallery as a focus for the community, and the Open Day was a wonderful way to thank our loyal friends and visitors for all their generous support and to introduce the Gallery and its internationally significant collection to new visitors before restoration begins."

"Sunday 28 September will be the final opportunity for visitors to come inside the main galleries at Watts Gallery until 2010 and we would encourage everyone to come along and make the most of these next 8 weeks."

An information point and shop will remain open on the Watts Gallery Estate during the restoration period.  In addition, Friends of Watts Gallery will have the privilege of viewing the restoration in progress through a series of Hard-Hat Tours, along with a programme of exclusive events, visits and talks taking place both locally and beyond.  The Friends will also be the very first visitors through the door when the newly-restored Gallery reopens in 2010.

23 July 2008
Free Family Open Day, Sunday 27 July, 11-5pm

Celebrated children’s author and illustrator, Val Biro, has confirmed that he will be bringing his famous 1926 Austin Clifton Heavy, Gumdrop, to Watts Gallery’s Open Day on Sunday 27 July. 

The FREE event, which promises non-stop entertainment from 11am – 5pm, will be the FINAL Open Day to be held at Watts Gallery before the restoration project.

The annual event will be opened by Fred Marden, BBC Southern Counties Radio and will include FREE Gallery tours, artist led workshops, art and craft exhibitions and stalls, storytelling, a ‘Watts Walk around Compton’ and a whole host of additional activities for all the family.

Perdita Hunt, Director, says, “This event is a true milestone in Watts Gallery’s history; the Open Day will kick-start the final five weeks before the Gallery closes to the public for restoration on 31 August, reopening in 2010.”

27 June 2008
“A truly epic day!”  Watts Gallery granted £4.3 million by Heritage Lottery Fund for vital restoration 

Celebrations are taking place at Watts Gallery, Compton, following news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the £4.3 million grant that will enable a two-year major restoration project to begin in the autumn. To secure this lifeline, Watts Gallery has had to raise almost £4 million, which has been made possible by the wonderful efforts and generosity of the local community, Trusts, Foundations and individuals.

“This is a truly epic day in the 104-year history of Watts Gallery!”, says Perdita Hunt, Watts Gallery’s Director. “Launching the Hope Appeal in 2004, we faced a mammoth task in raising the £10 million required to safeguard both the Gallery and its internationally significant collection.”

“In 2006, when Watts Gallery reached the final of BBC Restoration Village, our hopes were raised only to suffer disappointment at the very last minute when it was announced that Watts Gallery had so narrowly missed out on winning the first prize. Then, in December 2006, our spirits were lifted once again with the welcome news that our application to the HLF had been successful, and that a £4.3 million grant had been earmarked for Watts Gallery on condition that we match this sum through our own fundraising activity.”

There remains a slight shortfall in Watts Gallery’s own fundraising target.  Perdita adds, “As a result of being able to demonstrate just how many people cherish Watts Gallery, and are committed to securing its future, the HLF has accepted our pledges to raise the outstanding sum. We would appeal to anyone who may be able to help us to overcome this final hurdle in our efforts to save one of Europe’s most beautiful small galleries.”

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:

"Watts Gallery, one of Surrey's hidden jewels, has been enchanting everyone who walks through its door for over a century. Quintessentially English, it's a small gallery that's big on charm. We're delighted to be supporting these vital restoration works which will not only secure the Gallery's future but also enable it to continue to welcome local visitors as well as attracting new ones."

19 June 2008
Watts Gallery Friends Reach 500!

The campaign to have 2010 Friends by the year 2010 reached a significant milestone today with more than 500 Friends now on board.
Click here to find out more about the Friends of Watts Gallery and how you can join them.

14 May 2008
Gallery Experience on Offer at Ebay in TopLots 2008

Watts Gallery is delighted to be participating in TopLots 2008, the online fundraising auction which gives participants the opportunity to bid for unique, ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences at heritage venues across the UK.  The auction, which launches this week on eBay for Charity and runs until 15 June, includes a Watts Gallery lot, and money generated by the bid will go straight to Watts Gallery’s fundraising campaign. Click here to see the Watts Gallery Lot. You can bid for it from 31 May 2008 for just 10 days.

Commenting on the auction, Watts Gallery’s Curator, Mark Bills, says: “This is a fantastic initiative, and we are extremely pleased to be taking part.  The Watts Gallery Lot includes a private tour of the Gallery and Chapel, and in addition a rare opportunity to visit the Watts’s family home - not normally open to the public -  in which GF and Mary received visits from numerous eminent Victorians, including Alfred Lord Tennyson and Auguste Rodin.”

Mark adds, “With restoration set to begin in September, this will be the last opportunity for such a trip until Watts Gallery reopens in 2010.  This really is a unique opportunity!”

Further information about the Watts Gallery lot can be found at www.toplots.co.uk, along with details of all other participating organisations.

To make a bid, you must first have an eBay account (visit www.ebay.co.uk should you need to set up an account), then log on to www.ebay.co.uk/toplots regularly (from 15 May).  Individual lots will be on for 10 days only, so anyone wishing to bid for a specific lot will need to visit the site regularly.

12 March 2008
Sixth Series of Adult Art Classes Announced

Details of the sixth series of our popular art courses, delivered by excellent teachers in the wonderful setting of Watts Gallery have just been announced.

This year there are weekend courses as well as 5 day week-day courses and the topics include Drawing with a Pencil and Sketchbook, A Landscape in Oils, A Still Life in Dry Pastel and Creative Techniques with Oils

Places on these courses are always highly in demand and are limited to 12 particpants per course. Click here to find out more about the courses and how to book.

25 February 2008
Statement on the Disposal of Two Paintings from Watts Gallery

Watts Gallery is to offer for sale two paintings from its non-core collection at auction to ensure the long-term care of its collection of works by and about George Frederic and Mary Watts. The paintings to be sold are The Triumph of Love by Edward Burne-Jones and Jasmine by Albert Moore.

In the light of the Museums’ Association’s October decision to change the ethical code, to reflect exceptional circumstances where disposal with financial gain is acceptable, the Trustees of Watts Gallery have proceeded with the decision to sell these two paintings.

The Gallery has offered the works for sale to 19th-century public art collections in Britain over the last two months but did not receive any letters of interest in acquiring them. The disposal was also advertised in December’s and January’s Museums Journal.

It has been a difficult decision for Watts Gallery but it is one which fits both collections management policy and acquisitions and disposals policy, while securing the future of the collection.

The Collections Policy
Watts Gallery has the core aim of collecting, conserving and promoting the works of G. F. Watts and Mary Watts and to develop a centre for exploring Victorian art, social history and craft. Founded in 1904 as a Gallery dedicated to the work of G. F. Watts, Watts Gallery’s collection is nationally significant, placed within the heart of a village. The two works to be sold came to the Gallery long after its original foundation, and form no part of current display and interpretation plans. As a consequence, the Trustees have come to the difficult decision to sell The Triumph of Love by Edward Burne-Jones and Jasmine by Albert Moore in order to protect the core collection.
 
Perdita Hunt, Director comments:

“I hope this difficult decision will give some comfort to all those who support the Gallery that for the foreseeable future its internationally important core collection will be cherished, maintained and enjoyed by more people.”

Care and Conservation of the Core Collection
As the result of a gradually weakened endowment originally put in place by Mary Watts, the care and conservation of the collection at Watts Gallery has suffered over many years. In order to protect, enhance, interpret and add to the core collection based around G. F. and Mary Watts, the Gallery seeks to concentrate its efforts on this core collection and, by releasing money to increase the endowment, the long-term care and protection of the core collection will be ensured.

Consultation
Since the proposal was first made in 2005, Watts Gallery has been very open and transparent about its intentions to consider selling works from the collection.  There have been consultations with everyone involved in the Gallery including the general public, key volunteers, staff, donors, Trustees, Directors of major institutions including Tate, National Gallery, V&A and National Portrait Gallery as well as The Art Fund, Museums’ Association and MLA. The Gallery has written to and canvassed opinion from all the major 19th-century public collections in the UK.     

The Gallery has strived to engage all stakeholders in what is a difficult decision and one that is made with regret on behalf of all involved. If all the resources needed were available to Watts Gallery, it would of course not consider the need to rationalise its collection as the conservation and storage of these works would not be a constraint. However, they do remain non-core collection works, and as such would remain secondary in considerations of hanging and display and as such would not be available to be enjoyed fully by the public. Their placing within another collection will ensure their true value is realised amongst a collection able to do them best justice.  

The works to be de-accessioned are Sleeping Woman (Jasmine) 1880 by Albert Joseph Moore, ARWS (1841 – 1893) and The Triumph of Love 1871 by Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bart, ARA, RWS (1833 – 1898)

Read the Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Sandy Nairne's comment on the issue in the Guardain by clicking here

6 December 2007
Watts Gallery Wins South East Region Pride of Place Vote

Watts Gallery has been voted the place people feel most proud of in the South East in an online poll.

We received 43% of the vote within the Guildford region and the highest number of votes within the South East.

Perdita Hunt, Director of Watts Gallery said:

"This vote is a heartfelt confirmation of the high esteem Watts Gallery is held in by the people of Surrey and the South East. At this crucial time for the Gallery with just over £500,000 left to raise by Spring 2008 to release the £4.3 million Heritage Lottery Fund to save the Gallery it means that the public are truly behind us. We urge anyone who hasn't yet visited to come and see what we are all about and those who have, who have voted for us in this pole, to consider joining our Friends group and continue to show their support."

The Pride of Place poll is part of the Government’s ‘Connect to your Council’ campaign, which aims to encourage citizens to access their local authority services online.

Read the story on the BBC News website

26 November 2007
Watts Gallery in the Observer

Yesterday's Observer newspaper had a feature on Watts Gallery by Lynn Barber...

"A friend took me to the Watts Gallery in Surrey to see an exhibition of photographs of Victorian artists, which was fascinating. But what was amazing was the gallery. Why isn't it better known? Loads of people - including me - rave about the Gustave Moreau museum in Paris or Leighton House in Kensington, but the Watts is every inch as weird and wonderful as these."

Click here to read the full article in the Observer by Lynn Barber.

November 2007
Hope Appeal Latest

George Frederic Watts
Hope
Private collection

The Watts Gallery Hope Project is making good progress. We have submitted our Stage D scheme to Guildford Borough Council for planning permission.  Following a third public consultation in October, we hopefully have addressed most concerns. Plans are progressing for touring the collection to London and then, hopefully, to the United States. Invitations to tender have been sent out to painting conservators, and we will be seeking quotes from conservators of drawings and sculpture. We are also assessing different locations for storage.
 
In fundraising we are now £1.8m away from our target. If with the sale of two pictures (see below) we raise £1m, this leaves us with an £800,000 shortfall. We have to prove that we can raise this amount when we apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund for Stage 2 funding in February.
 
We are immensely grateful for the support we are receiving from Trusts and Foundations and from individuals supporting us as Patrons, or Adopters or as Friends.

22 October 2007
Museums Association Decision

Museums Association Decision

On Monday 22 October in Glasgow, there was a historic decision. The members of the Museums Association (a membership body made up of gallery and museum staff) voted for a change in its ethical code to enable museums and galleries, in particular circumstances (there are five clear conditions), to sell works from their non-core collection for the benefit of the long-term care of the core collection. Watts Gallery has often been cited in the discussions on this change, and it is encouraging that there is support from the museum community for our proposal to dispose of two works: The Triumph of Love by Burne-Jones and Jasmine by Albert Moore. Over the next two months the Gallery will offer these works to public collections and failing an appropriate sale, will take them to auction.

September 2007
Physical Energy Celebration Party

George Frederic Watts
Physical Energy in Kensington Gardens
Sited in 1907

Pattie Boyd and Cherry Gillespie who co-hosted the party at the Serpentine Pavilion
(photographs by Jason Hedges)

On a beautiful September evening, over 180 guests gathered at the Pavilion next to the Serpentine Gallery to celebrate one hundred years since the siting of Physical Energy in Kensington Gardens. The Duke of Gloucester unveiled a new plaque which refers to the model being at Watts Gallery, and the Deputy Mayor of London, and the Mayor of Godalming were present to support the event.  Later in the evening, Antony Gormley described Watts as a modern artist, who moved sculpture from the memorial into the contemporary. The celebratory event was greatly enhanced by the participation of two mounted police and four dancers from Surrey Community Dance.  We are grateful to Julia Peyton Jones, Director of the Serpentine Gallery for hosting our visit, and to the Friends of the Royal Parks. We also thank Adam Prideaux from Blackwall Green for sponsoring the evening and to Pattie Boyd and Cherry Gillespie for hosting the party.

02 August 2007
Watts' Postman's Park Highlighted in The Daily Telegraph

Postman's Park in London.

The Daily Telegraph today carried a letter from a Julia Wilson of Rainham in Kent, highlighting the presence of Postman's Park in London as a source of moving epitaphs. Her letter reads:

"SIR - For the most moving and thought-provoking epitaphs (Letters, August 1) readers should visit Postman's Park near St Paul's Cathedral. There, an arcade is lined with ceramic tablets recording acts of heroism by ordinary people that cost them their lives.

The memorial was the brainchild of the Victorian Painter G. F. Watts."

To find out more about Postman's Park click here or to puchase a book on the subject click here.

25 July 2007
Celebrated Sculptures
Undergo X-Ray

Physical Energy by G F Watts in the Sculpture Studio



The Sculpture Studio with Tennyson by G F Watts visible at the rear

A team of expert radiographers are at work in Watts Gallery, Compton this week to investigate the condition of George Frederic Watts’s most celebrated monumental sculptures, Physical Energy and Tennyson.  A giant x-ray machine has been temporarily installed at the Gallery, to take a look inside the vast original models from which the famous bronzes were cast.

Commenting on the project, Watts Gallery’s Curator, Mark Bills, said: “These models are an extremely important part of the Watts Gallery collection and are in desperate need of conservation.  This sophisticated technology will enable us to gain a more accurate idea of the condition of each model and the subsequent level of repair work required.”

He continues, “It has been estimated that the conservation cost of Physical Energy alone could be as much as £250,000 and it is vital that this model, which has been hailed as one of the finest examples of Victorian equestrian sculpture, is restored. 

Watts Gallery must raise £2million by Spring 2008 in order to unlock the Heritage Lottery Fund grant that will enable us to restore the Gallery building and conserve the entire collection, safeguarding both for future generations.  The fundraising task is mammoth, and we are so very grateful to the local community for their on-going support.”

"We can see the surface, but an X-ray allows us to see deep inside the sculpture itself and learn how such a mammoth sculpture was constructed. They are essentially models from which moulds were taken and which required them to be cut into pieces, so it is important for us to know how secure they were made when they were re-assembled and whether they can be moved during restoration."

During the coming months, Watts Gallery is planning for both the conservation of the collection and restoration of the Gallery building, with the aim of beginning the restoration project in August 2008.

23 July 2007
Watts Gallery Open Day
Attended by 1000 People

Penelope Keith CBE reading from the diaries of MaryWatts



Junk Horse made at the Open Day and Physical Energy by G F Watts in the SculptureGallery

More than 1000 people attended the Watts Gallery Open Day on Sunday 22 July.

Penelope Keith CBE cut the ribbon and was followed up the lane by an eager crowd. They were met by a large number of gazebos (thankfully not needed as we had no rain!) with a wonderful range of activities for all the family. We were particularly delighted with the children’s workshops which were all fully booked and resulted in the creation of a junk horse and rider, modeled on Physical Energy, the sculpture by G F Watts, as well as pottery and a very big drawing.

Whilst the overriding aim of the day was to encourage new people to come and taste the delights we have to offer we were very pleased that we were able to attract many new Friends, volunteers, donations and two offers to ‘Adopt a Watts’, the scheme which aims to conserve many of the paintings in the collection.

Perdita Hunt, Director of Watts Gallery said:

“We would like to thank everyone who came along the Open Day at Watts Gallery. Nearly 1000 people attended on the day which is as many as attended last year when the event was supported by BBC Restoration Village. This is a very encouraging sign that the interest and passion for Watts Gallery continues and will carry us forward into our exciting plans for the future.”

16 December 2006
Watts Gallery Given a £4.3 million Earmarked Grant

Watts Gallery, Compton



Physical Energy by G F Watts in the SculptureGallery

8 October 2006
Ionides Family Portrait

George Frederic Watts
A lexander Constantine Ionides and his wife Euterpe, with their children Constantine Alexander, Aglaia, Luke and Alecco.



The Ionides family gathering at Watts Gallery, Compton.

Over 80 descendants of one of Britain’s greatest arts patrons – the Anglo-Greek Ionides family, depicted in Watts Gallery’s recently acquired early 1840s portrait by George Frederic Watts OM RA (1817-1904) of Alexander Constantine Ionides (1810-1890) with his wife and children – gathered in Compton, Surrey, on Saturday, 7 October 2006 for the first ever reunion, hosted by Watts Gallery, of this remarkable and distinguished family.

For the occasion, this exceptional portrait was specially exhibited at the head of the gallery to enable the attendees – over 80 members of the extended Ionides family with ages ranging from 9 weeks to 94 years – to take full advantage of this spectacular early work by GF Watts. For many, it was the first opportunity they had had to view the portrait that was acquired last year by Watts Gallery – with the generous assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Art Fund and Forbes Inc.

Alexander Constantine Ionides (1810-1890) was GF Watts’s patron and became a close family friend who painted five generations of the Ionides family. It is hoped that Saturday’s highly successful family reunion will strengthen the historic association between Watts and the Ionides family.

Alexander Constantine’s father came to England in 1815 to export Manchester cloth to Greece and Turkey. Alexander followed, founding Ionides & Co in 1827. When business prospered he and his family moved to London where he also ventured into merchant banking and became director of the Bank of London. His passion for art collecting led him to become one of the most important patrons of the arts and this passion was passed on to his children. In 1901 his eldest son, Constantine Alexander bequeathed his art collection to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Commenting at the time of Watts Gallery’s acquisition of the portrait the Arts Fund’s David Barrie said “Ionides was an exceptionally generous and far-sighted patron of the arts – one of the most important in Victorian England. This painting helped to launch Watts’ career and strengthened his relationship with Ionides, which was long-lasting and very close.”

Perdita Hunt, Director of Watts Gallery said, “Ionides was a vital patron to Watts and we are delighted to celebrate the significant relationship and partnership between two eminent Victorians captured by this marvellous family portrait”

Dr Julian Demetriadi (grandson of Nellie Demetriadi née Ionides, fifth generation painted by Watts in 1893), said: “Saturday’s reunion was a wonderful occasion which I know that my ancestors in the Watts portrait would have been delighted about. Indeed, family members travelled from as far a field as Minneapolis and Oslo for the event, which was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by all. And, of course, none of this would have been possible without Watts Gallery and the generosity and support of Richard Ormond, Chairman of Watts Gallery Trustees, Perdita Hunt, and Curator Marks Bills – to whom the family owes a great debt. The reunion has certainly strengthened the links between Watts Gallery and the Ionides family, and we look forward to helping support GF Watts’s magnificent home and gallery in its bid to raise the necessary funds to ensure the building can be fully restored.”