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2025-01-25

'Land - Sea - Sky with Karl Terry RSMA AROI', Private View

Our first exhibition for 2025 opened with an extremely busy and exciting Private View on Saturday 25th January. 


'Land - Sea - Sky' sees a welcome return from plein air artist Karl Terry and his second solo exhibition with us. 


Showcased in galleries 1 and 3 and with over 50 pieces of work available this an opportunity to reflect on Karl's lifelong passion for plein air painting.


For this show Karl has not strayed far from home, working beneath our beautiful changing Sussex skies, he has captured the moment and the atmosphere. Perhaps most importantly, a very real sense of place, which in many ways creates that emotional experience between artist, the artwork and the viewer.


The exhibition is scheduled to run until Sunday 16th March.

'Land - Sea - Sky with Karl Terry RSMA AROI', Private View

2024-10-05

'Timely Connections with David Crew & Tony Bennett', Private View

On a very sunny autumnal Saturday, the gallery welcomed a large number of guests to celebrate the opening of 'Timely Connections with David Crew & Tony Bennett'. Both artists were in attendance.

The exhibition, a long time in the making, is being showcased in galleries 1 & 3.

It features a strong narrative from Tony and David.

For David, it made the connection between his family and the friendship with German prisoner of war Mathias Hess, thus making more precious memories to be cherished and a story to be told.

In Tony’s case his work is a continuous dialogue with certain themes which have been constant throughout his working life. Principally, the concern of our ongoing struggle between our animal origins and the advancement of our intellectual powers.

The exhibition has been extended and will now run until Sunday 10th November.

Photo credit: John Cole Photography

'Timely Connections with David Crew & Tony Bennett', Private View

2024-09-14

En Plein Air painting days events

Mid September's sunshine was a welcome treat for all of our En Plein Air painters. The final painting day finished off a very successful trio of days in and around Rye.

Event 1. with Karl Terry RSMA on Camber dunes.

Event 2. with Tom Marsh ARSMA around the citadel of Rye.

And Event 3. with Clare Mitchell and Georgie Watson at the mouth of the estuary at Rye Harbour.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the four artists who held these days, for giving their time and sharing their valuable skills.

We are hopeful that this will lead to more exciting events in the very near future.

En Plein Air painting days events

2024-08-24

'En Plein Air, 2024', Private View

On Saturday 24th August we welcomed a large crowd into the gallery spaces for the opening reception of our brand new exhibition 'En Plein Air, 2024'.

Alongside a huge selection of works from contemporary artists we have placed an additional focus on en plein air works held in our permanent collections, including Howard and Mary Stormont, Vanessa Bell, Fred Cuming, Ivon Hitchens and Jacqueline Stanley.

The exhibition is scheduled to run until Sunday 29th September with an En Plein Air competition opening to coincide from September 25th until September 29th.

Photo credit : John Cole Photography

'En Plein Air, 2024', Private View

2024-06-22

'Pathways' with Denise Franklin and Jane Beecham, Opening Reception

The 'Pathways' exhibition, a joint showcase featuring the artwork of Denise Franklin and Jane Beecham, was inaugurated at the gallery with an impressive turnout on Saturday the 22nd of June.


The opening reception was a vibrant gathering, teeming with art lovers, customers, and passionate supporters. The event was held in two distinct spaces within the gallery, as well as drinks outside on our beautiful terrace creating a dynamic and immersive experience for attendees.


This much-anticipated exhibition will continue until Sunday, 11th August, providing ample opportunity for those who wish to explore the unique artistic expressions of both artists.


Photo credit: John Cole

'Pathways' with Denise Franklin and Jane Beecham, Opening Reception

2024-06-01

New aquisition for our Permanent Collection

On Saturday 1st June, Rye Art Gallery were delighted to receive an acquisition for our Permanent Collection from the artist Nigel Oxley Hon. RE.

Nigel, who was visiting to deliver a talk relating to our Print Biennial: 'The Art of Printmaking' very kindly donated this etching with aquatint, by the artist John Piper CH (1903-1992).

'Les Junies' was created in 1988 and is printed on Velin d'arches paper.

New aquisition for our Permanent Collection

2024-05-11

'The Art of British Printmaking', Private View

On Saturday the 11th May we opened the Rye Print Biennial, 'The Art of British Printmaking', with a very well attended Private View.

The show focuses on the many different processes of printmaking such as etching, woodcuts, linocut, lithography and screen printing.

As with many of our recent exhibitions staged here at Rye Art Gallery, we are curating this show alongside important works held in our permanent collections including those by Sir Frank Short RA PPRE, Robert Sargent Austin RA PPRE, Margaret Barnard, John Piper CH, Paul Nash, Edward Burra CBE, Norman Ackroyd CBE RA Hon. RE, and Edward Twohig Hon. Curator RE.

The exhibition is scheduled to run until Sunday 16th June has a selection of events linked to it, please go to our Exhibitions & Events section for more details.

Photo credit: John Cole

'The Art of British Printmaking', Private View

2024-03-23

Rye Society of Artists Spring Exhibition, 2024 - Private View

To herald the first weekend of Spring, we opened the annual RSA Spring Exhibition throughout the gallery, accompanied by an extremely well-attended Private View.

Over 40 locally based artists are exhibiting, and we are proud to showcase over 150 artworks in an extensive variety of mediums - from paint and print to ceramics, sculpture, and photography.

This year, in our studio space, the RSA has also invited seven new artists to display their work, with the potential for them to become full members of the society, subject to a membership ballot.

We wish them all well and their work looks fantastic.

The exhibition runs until 5th May 2024

Rye Society of Artists Spring Exhibition, 2024 - Private View

2024-03-15

Steve Warren makes a visit to the gallery

On Friday the 15th of March we were delighted to welcome Steve Warren relative of the artist Terry Warren on a visit to the Gallery.

Here is Steve sat proudly in Terry's 'Driftwood Chair' which was very kindly donated to the Permanent Collection by Alexander Stiller back in 2009.

The chair is currently sitting on our terrace area looking out over the Salts.

Steve Warren makes a visit to the gallery

2024-02-17

Private View for Louis Turpin's 'Onward Journeys: Gardens and Landscapes' our first exhibition of 2024

On Saturday 17th February, the gallery welcomed an extraordinary number of guests to the opening reception of Louis Turpin’s new solo exhibition.

This event was hosted in galleries one and three and was attended by customers and supporters far and wide. Despite an initial hurdle involving a lack of electricity, the opening reception was a resounding success. The atmosphere was enhanced with the use of candles, and plenty of ‘Bucks Fizz’ it made for an unforgettable experience. This led to a turnout that the gallery hasn't seen in a long time. The exhibition features more than 25 pieces of Turpin's work. These pieces, presented in the two separate spaces, range in mediums from oil and ink to pencil.

The exhibition is scheduled to run until 17th March.

Private View for Louis Turpin's 'Onward Journeys: Gardens and Landscapes' our first exhibition of 2024

2024-01-13

New acquisition from the Burra family

Ermentrude Robertson-Luxford (1881-1968)

“Aunt Trudy” was the wife of Henry Curteis Burra of Springfield, Playden and later Chapel House (The Rectory) Rye. She was the very dear mother of Edward Burra (1905 -1976) painter, of Anne (later Lady Richie of Dundee) and of Betsy (died aged 13).

This important painting in oil of Burra’s mother joins our permanent collection in Rye, generously donated by the family. A beautiful portrait by an unknown artist, it was created c.1908 and depicts Ermentrude in fashionable style.

Rye Art Gallery has several historic paintings of the great and good of Rye, including many self portraits of artists in our collection.

To read more on this story copy and paste this link into your browser to take you to the latest article written by Juliet Duff in Rye News:

https://www.ryenews.org.uk/culture/portrait-donated-to-rye-art-gallery-jd

New acquisition from the Burra family

2023-12-09

Barefoot Opera Fundraising Event at Rye Art Gallery

On Saturday 9th December, we joined forces with the 'Barefoot Opera' for a very special evening of music with singers performing set pieces from famous operas including Giuseppe Verdi's popular ‘La traviata’

We welcomed over 70 guests throughout the gallery spaces, and raised over £1,500 which will go towards the next essential phase in the restoration of our historic buildings.

During 2024, the restoration works will focus on our three permanent collection stores and archive rooms which desperately need updating to a museum standard. We can then look after our growing permanent collection of over 1,500 artworks more efficiently. This will also allow for better public access to the artworks and our special archive.

We thank everyone who attended and the members of 'Barefoot Opera' who gave such fantastic performances.

We are now in the process of discussing more of these events for 2024........

Photo credit : John Cole Photography

Barefoot Opera Fundraising Event at Rye Art Gallery

2023-11-18

Private View for 'Abundance' our final exhibition of 2023

On Saturday 18th November, the gallery welcomed a very large number of attendees to celebrate the opening of our final exhibition of 2023.

‘Abundance’ is a group exhibition that celebrates the fantastic new work of our local artists at Rye Art Gallery. Artworks featured include ceramics, drawings, paintings, prints and sculpture.

The exhibition has now been extended to run until 28th January.

Do come and see us soon........

Private View for 'Abundance' our final exhibition of 2023

2023-09-15

Acquisitions - two costume design illustrations by Billy (William) Chappell (1907-1994)

William Chappell 1907-1994

The son of actors, William Chappell was born in Wolverhampton on 20 September 1907. His parents separated and his mother, Edith Blair-Staples, moved the family to Balham, South London c.1913, and became a fashion journalist. Chappell went on to Chelsea School of Art at the age of thirteen (1921); where he met Edward Burra, they soon became close and remained lifelong friends.

On leaving college in 1924, Chappell became committed to dance. He performed in and was given a crash course in classical ballet by Marie Rambert, whom he knew
through Frederick Ashton. Despite this late start he was to create a number of important roles. Throughout the 1930's, Chappell appeared in ballets produced by Rambert and Ninette de Valois's Vic-Wells company at Sadler's Wells (from 1934). He was also a talented painter and simultaneously began to make designs for the theatre which soon established his reputation as a distinguished stage designer.

Chappell edited two collections relating to his close friendship with Burra including the witty and fascinating ‘Well Dearie The Letters of Edward Burra (1985). Billy died in Rye on 1st January 1994.

We acquired these costume designs for our permanent collection so that they could be shown together with those already in the collection by Edward Burra.

The two pencil, ink and watercolour costume illustrations are signed, inscribed and dated 1948.

Both illustrations are from the production of "Sugar and Spice" shown at St Martin's Theatre, London from September 3rd until October 16th 1948.

'Mormon / Larry Drew' depicts the actor Larry Drew in mormon costume for the section 'The Mormon Who Couldn't Quit' by Hastings Mann. 'Child Wife / June Howard' depicts the actress June Howard in costume for the section 'Punch's Revenge' also by Hastings Mann.

Chappell provided the decor and costumes for the entire production.

Acquisitions - two costume design illustrations by Billy (William) Chappell (1907-1994)

2023-03-21

Jacqueline Stanley ARCA HRHA (1928-2022) 'Salon Selfie, 2016'

Our latest permanent collection bequest has been kindly donated by Jacqueline Stanley's estate.

'Salon Selfie' is a large self portrait of Jackie, painted towards the end of 2016 in pastel and graphite.

Jacqueline Stanley ARCA HRHA (1928-2022) 'Salon Selfie, 2016'

2022-12-22

Raymond Ching sketch of Rosemary Bagley

In November Rye Art Gallery received a personal bequest from the artist Raymond Ching.

A pencil-on-paper sketch of well-known local Rosemary Bagley created at Church Square in 1974.


Ching a New Zealander moved to Rye during the late 1960s. Shortly after in 1969 his famous book 'The Reader's Digest Book of British Birds' was published.

Raymond Ching sketch of Rosemary Bagley

2022-06-22

Danny Pockets 'Still Life With Lemons'

Following the successful staging of Danny Pockets retrospective, 'Everlast". We are delighted to be showing 'Still Life with Lemons', which is now part of the permanent collection at Rye Art Gallery, the work was kindly donated by the Cuming family.

Danny Pockets 'Still Life With Lemons'

2022-03-29

Betty Ellwood - RIP

We are currently featuring in the Gallery this painting from the Collection - 'Portrait of Elizabeth', 1942, by Christine Young. It is in memory of the sitter.

It is a portrait of Gallery supporter and Friends Committee member Betty Ellwood who died this year and is sadly missed. It shows the sitter in pensive mood. On the table are a book, map and shells, including the pilgrim's scallop shell which is complete with ribbon and so is for wearing on a journey. Beyond the arches, reminiscent of those in De Chirico's surrealist paintings, is the sea.

We do not know anything of the artist except that she was a friend of Betty's. If you can tell us more we would be grateful. We think the painting is remarkable and an enigma. We do know that Betty was involved in work at Dover in WW2...

Betty Ellwood - RIP

2022-03-04

John Wiltshire - 'I'm Painting, Dearie'

The image shows 'I'm Painting, Dearie', by John Wiltshire, purchased from the artist for the Collection in 2021.

On the left is a black and white photo showing Edward Burra and his sister Betsy on the beach as children. To the right is Burra's green tin box containing half-used tubes of watercolour paint. These are both in the Burra Archive observed by John during his Residency at the Gallery.

John's Fine Art degree is from Canterbury and he also has Qualified Teacher status. He exhibits accross the south east and East Anglia, is an award winner and has held residencies at the Botanic Gardens and at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

John Wiltshire - 'I'm Painting, Dearie'

2022-02-26

Acquisitions - three paintings by John Wiltshire, inspired by the Burra Archive

During 2021 painter John Wiltshire spent time researching our Edward Burra Archive and creating responses to the items he found.


The Archive includes photographs, painting items such as brushes, paints and test sketches, but also many quirky small ornaments and unique objects which Burra had about his studio.

We are thrilled to accept John's donation of 'The Low Sly' and the Trust has purchased 'I'm Painting Dearie' and 'Toes In'. The three works were part of his exhibition 'B is for Burra' at the Gallery last autumn, alongside the adjoining exhibition 'Burra and Friends'.

Acquisitions - three paintings by John Wiltshire, inspired by the Burra Archive
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