The founding of Watts Gallery

Watts Gallery was founded by visionary couple George Frederic (G F) Watts and Mary Seton Watts. Artists and social pioneers, G F and Mary shared an enduring conviction that art has the power to inspire and transform lives.

G F was one of the foremost artists of the 19th century and became known as 'England's Michelangelo' for his powerful works and portraits. Mary, a visionary designer, artist, businesswoman and philanthropist, found ways for her art and creativity to support and inspire the people around her.

G F and Mary originally met in 1870 when Mary visited his London studio-home at Little Holland House in Holland Park. They were married in 1886 and in 1889, seeking a winter retreat from their West London home, G F and Mary stayed with friends in Compton.

They quickly decided that this picturesque village in the Surrey hills would make the ideal location for their own Autumn/Winter residence so they commissioned the great Arts and Crafts architect Sir Ernest George to design Limnerslease, their home and studios, which was completed in 1891.

Between 1895 and 1898 Mary worked with over 70 people from the local community to create and build Watts Cemetery Chapel. Mary ran evening classes at Limnerslease to make the interior decorations of the Chapel. The response from the local community was so positive that Mary set up a pottery business on the back of the Chapel project.

By 1901 a site across from Limnerslease was acquired for the Pottery Building. As time passed and the site surrounding Limnerslease expanded to encompass a kiln, chapel, barn studio and pottery it became apparent that G F lacked a space to display his works in Compton.

So G F and Mary commissioned the local and relatively inexperienced Christopher Hatton Turnor to design a simple and functional picture gallery in the Arts and Crafts design.

Opened in April 1904, Watts Gallery was the first purpose-built art gallery in the UK dedicated to a single professional artist. The building also included accommodation for the pottery apprentices and later in 1904 Mary established the Potters' Arts Guild at Compton, to promote traditional crafts amongst the local community.

Watts Gallery today

Watts Gallery is a place to learn, explore and create. We curate and care for our extraordinary collection of art, we host a dynamic range of temporary exhibitions, and offer an inspiring year-round programme of talks, tours, workshops, and courses.

Our 18 acre site is home to an incredible collection of Arts and Crafts buildings, grounds and gardens, set in the beautiful Surrey Hills, just outside Guildford.

We actively support contemporary artists through our artist-in-residence programme and run our "Art for All" community programme, which continues the ethos of our artist-founders who believed that art had the power to change society and should be available for everyone to experience and enjoy.

Watts Gallery is a charity

As a registered independent charity the generosity of our visitors and supporters helps to fund our mission. Your support enables us to safeguard our collection, protect our buildings and care for our grounds. It makes it possible for us to work with community groups, schools and organisations and make art available for all.

Most of our income comes from fundraising and donations. So each time you visit us - whether you're grabbing a coffee, buying a gift or attending an event - you're directly helping us to continue our work. Our mission is made possible by the generous support of our visitors, shoppers, Friends, Patrons, donors, volunteers and supporters.

One of the best ways to support us is to become a Friend. Find out more here

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