Unleash Your Imagination at West Ox Arts 2025

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Enjoy the Arts & Crafts 2025 exhibition in Bampton until 25th July, with affordable art to browse, too!

Art For All: Discover Creativity at West Ox Arts’ Art & Craft 2025

West Ox Arts (WOA) lives by the motto Art For All. This year, the West Ox Arts exhibition called Art & Craft 2025 invites you to explore a wide variety of creative work by members and friends. The exhibition showcases an exciting mix of mediums including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glasswork, jewellery, textiles, woodwork, and wirework. Together, these pieces create a vibrant celebration of artistic expression.

In addition to the main gallery, the exhibition space features a gallery shop. Here, you can purchase smaller items, such as jewellery, textiles, and art cards. These are handmade or printed from the artists’ original works.

WOA encourages visitors to meet the artists in person. This is a great chance to learn about their inspirations and connect with the creative minds behind the art. Whether you want to discover a new favourite artist or find the perfect piece for your home, this exhibition offers something for everyone. Most importantly, it invites you to enjoy the joy of artistic discovery.

Artists participating include Alison Fagg, Maggie White, Anne Lowe, Melanie Phillips, Sharon Rich, Liming Chen, Mora Abell, Chris Tebble, Kashmira Patel, Rupert Booth, Jenny Baxter, Melissa Orrom Swan, Liz Bryant, Pauline Carter, Felix Wilkinson, Jilly Wilkinson, Lynne Fisher, Neil George, Katerina Wild, Katheryn Dyche, Dinah Trowbridge, Judith Parker (Holder), Lindsay Viner, Judith Towle Jones, Ruth Gerring, Chris Dyche, Kevin Scully, Linda Benton, Esther Hepworth, and Philippa Norris.

The WOA gallery in Bampton is open 11.30am-4.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Admission is free and lift access is available. Click here for more information. WOA is a charitable organisation dedicated to promoting the arts in west Oxfordshire. Interested in becoming a member, exhibiting your work, or volunteering with WOA? Email the team on gallery@westoxarts.com.

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From Uffington with Love: The Jane Austen Connection You Didn’t Know

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Uffington Museum celebrates the area’s connections to Jane Austen in a new exhibition, between now & autumn, thanks to months of careful curation & analysis

Discover Uffington Museum: A Window into the Village’s Past

The Jane Austen Uffington connection is the focus of a new summer exhibition at Uffington Museum. Opened in 1984, the museum showcases the village’s rich past, including its links to the White Horse and prominent figures like Thomas Hughes, Sir John Betjeman, and now, Jane Austen. This timely exhibition explores Austen’s close relationships with the Lloyd sisters and her ties to the Craven family, deepening the Jane Austen Uffington connection that shaped her personal and literary world.

Jane Austen’s Connection to Uffington

A new exhibition, Pride and Patronage, explores Jane Austen’s ties to Uffington through her friendship with the Lloyd sisters—Martha, Eliza, and Mary—and their grandmother, Elizabeth Craven.

The Craven family owned land around Uffington from the 17th century. Although Parliament seized parts of the estate during the English Civil War, the family regained control after the Restoration of Charles II in 1660. By Austen’s time, William, the 6th Baron, had passed the estate to his son, also named William. Jane often mentioned him in letters, and he is believed to have inspired the character of Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility.

A Small Museum with a Big Story

Though compact, Uffington Museum houses a wide array of artefacts and information. Highlights include the building’s original use as a boys’ school, founded by Thomas Saunders in 1617.

A dedicated team of volunteers manages the museum. They share local history with visitors, help trace family roots, and maintain the exhibits. The museum operates entirely on grants and donations.

Plan Your Visit

The museum is now open for the summer season. You can visit on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays from Easter to the end of October, between 2–5 p.m. Entry is free, though donations are welcome and appreciated.

Don’t miss the Pride and Patronage exhibition, launched in celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. It’s a unique opportunity to see how her life and writing connect to this historic village.

For more about the exhibition, click here.

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Experience the Best of Local Art at Farnham’s Summer Show

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Following the success of Farnham Art Society’s exhibition last year, the talented artists are back at the Medici Theatre, Weydon School from July 20th to 27th. Nick Holmes invites you along to see the Farnham’s Summer Show

Farnham Art Society Summer Show Returns to the Medici Theatre

Farnham Art Society Summer Show is back this July! Following the huge success of last year’s event, the talented members of the Farnham Art Society return to the Medici Theatre, Weydon School, from July 20th to 27th. Organised by Nick Holmes, the exhibition promises an exciting showcase of local creativity and artistic excellence.

Farnham Art Society: A Creative Powerhouse

The Farnham Art Society Summer Show reflects the strength of one of England’s largest and most active art societies. With nearly 250 members—many of them professional artists—the Society’s exhibitions regularly feature award-winning work that attracts art lovers from across the region.

Award-Winning Artists and Public Engagement

FAS members include nationally and internationally recognised artists, many of whom hold memberships in royal and prestigious art societies. Their work has been celebrated at top exhibitions, and many also teach across southern England, helping to inspire new generations of artists and art enthusiasts.

A Legacy of Art in Farnham Since the 1860s

Farnham’s artistic roots run deep. Art schools have thrived here since the 1860s. Farnham Art Society was officially established in 1944, with local artist James Hockey playing a major role in building its link with the local art college, now known as the University for the Creative Arts. This partnership allowed the Society to hold high-profile exhibitions in the university’s gallery for many years.

The Medici Theatre: A Perfect Summer Venue

After exhibiting at locations such as Parker Fine Art Auctions and Farnham House Hotel, FAS has now found an ideal home at the Medici Theatre. This marks the third consecutive summer that the Farnham Art Society Summer Show will take place here, offering both excellent facilities and an inviting atmosphere.

Supporting Charity and Honouring a Legacy

Since 1986, FAS has proudly operated as a registered charity. It works closely with the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, honouring the legacy of the late David Shepherd—renowned wildlife artist and long-time FAS President. In 2024, the Society welcomed his daughter, wildlife and military painter Mandy Shepherd, as its new patron.

Exhibition Details: July 20–27

A private view and prize ceremony will kick off the Farnham Art Society Summer Show on Saturday 19 July. The exhibition opens to the public from July 20–27, running daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission and parking are free. Guests can enjoy tea, cake, and refreshments, with proceeds donated to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

All displayed artworks—paintings, ceramics, and sculptures—are for sale. There will also be a raffle featuring artworks donated by local artists, and visitors can vote for their favourite pieces. Two public-voted “Best in Show” winners (2D and 3D) will each receive £250.

Plan Your Visit to the Farnham Art Society Summer Show

Don’t miss this celebration of local talent and creative spirit. Whether you’re an art lover, a collector, or simply looking for inspiration, the Farnham Art Society Summer Show at the Medici Theatre is the perfect place to experience artistic excellence in a welcoming community setting.

For more information on FAS click here or the DSWF here or Weydon School here

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Perfect patch from Heather Quilters

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

View colourful quilts made by members of Camberley-based Heather Quilters at their exhibition in Tringham Hall, West End, June 21st & 22nd

Beautiful patchwork quilts lovingly created will be on view at an exhibition being held by Heather Quilters this month. 

The talented group meet once a month in High Cross Church, Camberley, to celebrate all things patchwork and quilting and this exhibition will do just that. 

Suzie Cawson tells us: “We have been very busy over the last two years and created some beautiful work which we are now able to share with the local community.” 

Individual and group quilts donated to local charities will be showcased. Among them will be those given to Project Linus, a charity which welcomes handmade quilts to provide security and comfort to sick and traumatised children and young adults through quilts.  

The exhibition will have examples of the quilts they send to Frimley Park Hospital Special Care Baby Unit to help brighten up the unit and make it feel less clinical.  Parents are able to take the quilts home as special treasures once their child is discharged. Heather Quilters also make bags for Beads for Courage to support children going through cancer treatment.   

There will be a super local trader attending the exhibition – Sunflower Stitches for all your quilting needs and kits to get you started on both days. Kind and talented people are available to support any quilting questions and provide more information throughout the day.   

There will be a raffle and tombola and the tastiest homemade cakes as well as a large selection of past quilting books and magazines to browse. You will have the opportunity to get involved by voting for your favourite quilt in two categories. Everyone welcome from 10am to 4pm daily. Entrance £3 and children under 16 are free.  Free car park and disabled access.   

New members to the group are warmly welcomed. They have speakers from across the art of quilting and in January always hold a zoom meeting which allows them to hear and see work from experts in their field from around the world.   

Several evenings are sewing evenings where they develop their skills or experiment with something new. There are also two parties a year which have the most delicious buffets and quilty party games. Please see the website for further details heather-quilters.weebly.com 

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The World of Tim Burton exhibition 

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

Delve into the fantastical world of Tim Burton thanks to a major exhibition at the Design Museum in Kensington, which is so popular it’s been extended until 26th May

“It’s a strange thing, to put 50 years of art and your life on view for everyone to see,” says Tim Burton, “especially when that was never the original purpose.  

Image: Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments

“In the past, I have resisted having the exhibition in London, however, collaborating with the Design Museum for this final stop was the right choice. They understand the art, and with the opportunity to adapt the show and highlight the way design interacts with the works, I’ve been able to view it all through an exciting new lens.” 

The World of Tim Burton exhibition smashed the museum’s record for advance ticket sales when it opened in the winter, with more than 32,000 people snapping up their tickets, making it the biggest advance ticket sales for an exhibition in the Design Museum’s 35-year history. 

The exhibition spans five remarkable decades of creativity, with famed and fascinating objects from Tim Burton’s earliest unrealised projects to his most recent film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. 

More than 600 items have been brought together to chart the evolution of Tim Burton’s unique design aesthetic. Objects are loaned from his extensive personal archives, key film studio archives including Paramount, Amazon MGM Studios, and Warner Bros., and the private collections of his collaborators. Many items have never been on public display in the UK before.  

Highlights include hundreds of Tim Burton’s expressionistic sketches and drawings that he has created prolifically since childhood. These are seen alongside props, set designs, and costumes from his iconic films, including Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman costume from 1992’s Batman Returns and the black and white striped dress from 1999’s Sleepy Hollow, worn by Christina Ricci.   

Visitors can see a recreation of the private studio where Tim Burton works, giving a rare private glimpse into his creative process. The walls of this installation are lined with illustrations from recent projects, including designs for a 65m high mural depicting an epic battle between a robot and a monster that was installed in São Paulo, Brazil.  

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Nathalie Beauvillain Scott’s Faces of Guildford 

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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How many of Nathalie Beauvillain Scott’s detailed life-like portraits will you recognise in her Faces of Guildford exhibition?

You may well recognise the people featured in the work of French artist Nathalie Beauvillain Scott currently on display at venues in Guildford. 

She started the Faces of Guildford project five years ago and it is now coming to an end with an exhibition which runs through to January in the town centre. It includes 13 oil portrait paintings and 13 pencil drawings of Guildfordians who have had an impact on the community in the past and the present. Nathalie has had a close relationship at some point with most of the people included in her exhibition.  

Nathalie was born in Fontainebleau, a little town near Paris and as a child always had an interest in drawing. At Secondary school she specialised in Art and History of Art.  

In 1989 she became involved with a group of artists based in Weybridge. She was then creating deltaic paintings on a huge scale based on the shape of the delta. She then went back to Paris to study art for a few years. 

In 1993 she returned to the UK where she met Tony Scott, founder of Guilfest. While bringing up their three children, Nathalie worked as a mural artist getting commissions all around Surrey in schools, private houses, bars and hospitals. 

Her interest in portraiture started in 2003 and she has received many portrait commissions ever since.  

She specialises in highly detailed portrait paintings of everyday life. Her portraits of everyone from children to celebrities and royals are recognised for their incredible likeness. Nathalie paints almost exclusively in oil on canvas. The time-consuming process begins with a detailed drawing and she then applies a succession of thin layers of oil. Some of her portraits will have a narrative content telling a story whereas others will be more about capturing the personalities of her sitters at a specific time in their lives. She recently started to draw portraits in pencil on paper. 

Her meticulous approach to portraiture resulted in her work being displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in 2004, 2010, 2012 and 2015 as part of the BP Portrait Award.  

For the last few years, along with six other local artists, Nathalie has been running an artist-run exhibition space, GU ART currently in White Lion Walk Guildford. 

You can view Nathalie’s incredible work at New House Art and Space Gallery, Fays Passage until November 30th, GU ART, White Lion Walk, December 4th-11th, St Mary’s Church, Quarry Street, January 4th-12th and Growlers & Cans, Chertsey Street, January 15th-22nd. 

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Windsor Photographic Society’s upcoming exhibition

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Windsor Photographic Society Exhibition will run from Tuesday 1st to Thursday 31st October

The Windsor Photographic Society (WPS) annual exhibition showcases the variety of photographs taken by its members and is also an opportunity for them to see their work exhibited. Some photographs may be available to purchase.

Members are holding a special opening night on Tuesday, 1st October, and hope you can join them in The Old Court licensed bar and upper areas.

You can view their photographs and meet members who would love to tell you more about their club!

WPS meet at The Old Court at 7.45pm on Monday evenings and fully welcome new members. They offer a full and varied programme that includes presentations, practical workshops, photo walks and competitions. There are members at every level of expertise (from beginners through to professionals), using all kinds of cameras and phones, willing to share a wealth of experience.

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Henry Moore exhibition at the Lightbox

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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Big names and innovative artists are at the heart of The Lightbox’s latest exhibitions

Visitors to The Lightbox can enjoy two special exhibitions into autumn giving greater opportunities to “experience the best contemporary and modern art”.

Material Thinking, until October 13th, brings together for the first-time selected work by major artists from The Ingram Collection with work by contemporary artists associated with the Fine Art programme at the University of Gloucestershire (UoG), recognised as one of the country’s most innovative art schools.

Focusing on artists who use varied, unusual or unexpected ways of making, the exhibition will explore The Ingram Collection – one of the most significantly publicly accessible collections of modern British art in the UK – as a historic context for artists working today, prompting conversations about what it is to make things, between disciplines and across generations.

Curated by Professor Angus Pryor (UoG), selections from The Ingram Collection have been chosen in response to painters, sculptors and film makers working on the UoG Fine Art programme. He said: “Material Thinking will highlight how artists across generations incorporate observation, action, reaction, accident, impulse and instinct into their artistic practice, moving step-by-step to their final artwork.”

Henry Moore in Colour is organised in partnership with The Henry Moore Foundation and runs until November 3rd offering a rare opportunity to see colourful drawings by Moore spanning the artist’s career.

Best-known as one of the most influential and innovative sculptors of the modern era, Moore (1898-1986) was also a remarkably talented and prolific draughtsman, producing nearly 7,500 drawings over seven decades. These works from The Henry Moore Foundation include examples of his best-known works such as the large ‘presentation’ works from the 1930s and the Shelter drawings – commissioned by War Artists’ Advisory Committee during WW2, the Shelter drawings were influential in achieving widespread popular recognition for the artist following their display at London’s National Gallery.

Sebastiano Barassi, Head of Henry Moore Collections & Programmes said: “Henry Moore in Colour reveals his profound love and appreciation of the unique characteristics and possibilities of drawing, for its own ends and as a tool to inform his work in other media. Moore continued to draw until the end of his life. This exhibition attempts to reveal the numerous ways in which it enabled him to study, express, and experiment.”

Sarah Brown, Director of The Lightbox, added: “Our collaboration with The Ingram Collection and The Henry Moore Foundation is at the heart of both exhibitions and we are grateful to all our partners for making our season so exciting.”

A programme of events accompanies and the exhibitions, including the Material Thinking Symposium on September 13th.

For further information about both exhibitions visit The Lightbox

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Leanda McConnell’s first exhibition in Ramsbury

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Artist Leanda McConnell is preparing her first exhibition at Golden Lion Gallery, Ramsbury

After 14 years working at Vogue, Leanda swapped the West End for West Berkshire and started a digital service featuring personalised original artwork and hand drawn family illustrations.

In this debut body of new paintings, she is looking to evoke the warm spirit of her previous artwork whilst reducing it to an essence of colour and texture. Whilst the works are abstract, the themes draw on feelings of the coast, summer days and dreamlike storms without wishing to influence the viewer’s own interpretation.

Leanda says: “I can’t help but think that when I’m trying to represent abstract feelings like love and happiness, it’s important not to give them too much of a shape. I’m very influenced by works of poetry and art from the Romantic period and appreciate their interpretation of the beauty and simplicity of the natural world through the ‘one life’. When I think about trying to do this myself, only a sort of everything and nothing philosophy seems to make sense.”

The oil paint is mixed with cold wax and applied thickly with a palette knife. Tools such as rope, stones and driftwood are then used to create the marks that give more texture in a way that is completely consistent with the theme of the painting.

Leanda will be showing her first exhibition at Golden Lion Gallery, Ramsbury from June 22nd to 29th.

Enquiries via leandagoldenlion@gmail.com or artleanda.co.uk

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Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts exhibition

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Patek Philippe to host the inaugural London edition of the Rare Handcrafts Exhibition 2024 from Friday 7th to Sunday, 16th June

The Patek Philippe event offers the public a rare insider’s perspective into the art of Rare Handcrafts within the family-owned watchmaking company.

The exhibition will take place on the first floor of Bond Street House, 14 Clifford Street in London.

Open to the public with free admission, the exhibition celebrates Patek Philippe’s dedication to preserving rare handcrafts which have been used to decorate timepieces for more than four centuries.

Visitors will be able to explore 83 exhibits over 250sqm. The themed spaces, which include artisans practising their savoir-faire, will take guests on a journey of discover; techniques including enamelling, wood marquetry, guilloche and gemsetting. This is the manufacturer’s largest showcase of rare handcraft timepieces outside of Geneva. The exhibition is open to the public via pre booked ticket reservations on Patek Philippe.

The “Rare Handcrafts 2024” collection (a total of 83 pieces, comprising dome clocks and small dome clocks, table clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches) once again shines the spotlight on a vast range of artistic skills, whether centuries-old techniques (Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, miniature painting on enamel, grisaille enamel, flinqué enamel, paillonné enamel, champlevé enamel, hand engraving, hand-executed guilloché work, or gemsetting) or techniques that are innovating in horology, such as micro wood marquety and Longwy enamel on faience. And not forgetting the growing number of pieces adorned with what are known as “mixed techniques”, uniting, for example, cloisonné enamel and hand-executed guilloché, or hand-engraving and wood marquetry.

The “Rare Handcrafts 2024” collection is also extraordinarily rich in creativity, drawing on multiple sources of inspiration, with motifs ranging from traditional art forms to modern leisure activities, and with subjects inspired by the cultures and landscapes of every continent. These 82 pieces, with their ever-more original and astonishing decorations are presented to great effect in an elegant, specially devised decor divided into three areas.

The Rare Handcrafts Exhibition London 2024, Friday 7th to Sunday, 16th June.

Opening times: 10am until 6pm, Monday-Saturday. From 12pm until 5pm, Sunday.

Address: 1st floor, Bond Street House, 14 Clifford Street, London, W1S 4JU.

To register for free admission to the exhibition, please visit http://www.patek.com/rhc-london

Content written and supplied by: Patek Philippe

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