Culture & Creative IndustriesNews

Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village plans to begin to reopen from Monday 26 April in line with current Government guidance.

 

Following the national lockdown and consequent temporary closure of Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the current plans for reopening are:

 

Monday 26 April, 10am to 5pm daily

No pre-booking required.

Watts Shop, Watts Chapel and the Artists’ Village estate will reopen.  The Tea Shop will open for takeaways and outdoor seating only.

 

Saturday 1 May, 10am to 5pm daily

No pre-booking required.

Watts Contemporary Gallery will reopen, with the exhibition Anita Klein: Together.  Widely regarded as one of Britain’s finest contemporary artists and printmakers, Anita Klein has created new pieces for this show in response to the last year and in celebration of the joy of coming together again with family and friends.  This is Klein’s first solo exhibition at Watts Contemporary and brings together more than 60 paintings, prints and works on paper.

 

Monday 17 May, Galleries open from 10.30am daily, last slot available to book is 4 – 4.30pm 

Pre-booking essential.

The Exhibition Gallery will reopen at Watts Gallery, with a last chance to see the latest exhibition Art & Action: Making Change in Victorian Britain (until 23 May).  Featuring key works by, amongst others, Sir Luke Fildes (1843 – 1927), William Morris (1834 – 1896) and G F Watts (1817 – 1904), the exhibition explores how artists sought not only to comment on social problems but to use their art to actively help solve them.  The exhibition is co-curated with Dr Chloe Ward, Senior Lecturer in the History of British Art at Queen Mary, University of London.

 

In addition, the Historic Galleries at Watts Gallery will reopen, presenting paintings and sculpture by G F Watts from the permanent collection at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village alongside opportunities to see key works by the artist on loan from other collections.

 

The Tea Shop will restart its indoor table service from 17 May.

 

Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village is located in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Visitors can enjoy the 18 acre estate, and for families the Verey Playwood, free Family Trails and Make Space – with outdoor arts and crafts activities – will be available from 17 May.

 

Watts Studios and Limnerslease will remain temporarily closed and will reopen in the summer.

 

Government-recommended safety measures will be in place across the estate.

 

Alistair Burtenshaw, Director of Watts Gallery Trust, said:

 

“We are so looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village.  The health and safety of everyone, including our staff, volunteers and visitors are paramount and we are following all Government guidelines to implement all relevant safety measures across the estate.”

 

“This is an extraordinary time for us all, and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has continued to support our charity by engaging with us online through our social media, our online shop and our online programme of events and exhibitions.  We cannot wait to see you here in Compton!”

 

The Watts at Home programme continues online, with a series of talks, workshops and creative activities.  For further information wattsgallery.org.uk/home/

 

The Watts Shop is also open for online orders at shop.wattsgallery.org.uk/ and it offers a click and collect service.

 

Should Government guidelines change, reopening dates will also be subject to change.  Members of the public are asked to visit wattsgallery.org.uk/ for the latest information.

 

For further information and to book tickets for the Exhibition and Historic Galleries:

 

wattsgallery.org.uk

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