Watts Gallery

Watts Gallery news 

• Watts Gallery opened its doors for the very first time on 1 April 1904, so do join us on 1 April, which is Easter Monday, to celebrate our 120th anniversary and immerse yourself in a day filled with creative activities perfect for the whole family. Discover highlights from the last 120 years in a curated display, get hands-on with creative craft activities on the lawn and add your memories to a special anniversary banner. There is no fee though donations are most welcome on this celebratory day.

• Edo Pop exhibition: Step into the bustling metropolis of Edo, now known as Tokyo, and explore the dynamic history of one of the largest and most prosperous cities of the nineteenth century. The exhibition will be showing Japanese woodblock prints from the nineteenth century, generously loaned by art historian and collector Frank Milner. Alongside the exhibition, Tokyo-born contemporary artist Hiroko Imada will be exhibiting a site-specific installation in the Sculpture Gallery.

• Until Sunday 16 June, explore seashore, hedgerow, and the countryside with Angie Lewin: Patterns of Nature, a solo exhibition celebrating one of Britain’s best-loved artists. As well as water colours and prints, the exhibition features textiles and wallpapers using Angie’s designs produced by St Jude’s.

• Watts Gallery is thrilled to be taking part in the Art Fund Brainwaves tour, a project which highlights how people’s brains are stimulated when they experience art in museums and galleries. Visitors of all ages are invited to the Historic Galleries on Sunday 14 April to take part by viewing art or artefacts while wearing a headset that is connected to an electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor. The brainwaves are then visualised on-screen in 3D and real-time.

• Workshops include a ceramics class on Friday 19 April so you can create your very own planter pot and a sketching class on Saturday 20 April. On Saturday 27 April, join artist Anna-Marie Garrett for a guided meditation in the grounds or in the Clore Studio, followed by mindful sketching and drawing. No experience necessary.

• Round up the family and join us for some family fun! From exploring the vibrant patterns of nature during our Family Days to getting hands-on with clay in ceramics workshops for children and teens, there's something for all the family to discover and enjoy. DON’T FORGET, Compton residents get 50% off admission at Watts Gallery! Valid with a proof of address. check the website for more details / book tickets: www.wattsgallery.org.uk.

• Check the website for details of events and to book tickets: www.wattsgallery.org.uk

Watts Gallery is looking for a Retail & Front of House Manager to join the Trading Team The successful candidate will bring great retail experience and a creative flair for visual merchandising to the role. The Retail & Front of House Manager will be responsible for running the gallery’s shop and front-of-house operation, helping generate income for the charitable trust as well as ensuring visitors are looked after. This is a hands-on role for an experienced and supportive people manager to lead our team of Front of House Assistants. Accountable for ensuring that visitors are made welcome and being the first port of call for anyone with any queries or questions, the manager will also motivate staff to “go the extra mile” and upsell admissions, gift aid, events, membership, guidebooks and more. The role is for 37.5 hours per week, working on a rota basis, and involves working some weekends and bank holidays. Applications for this role on a part time basis will be considered if candidates can work flexibly and at weekends. Salary: £26,325 – £31,220 FTE. Closing date: Sunday 8 October at 5pm. First Interviews: Thursday 12 October.

For details of how to apply visit: www.wattsgallery.org.uk/jobs

Nestled in the beautiful Surrey Hills, Watts Gallery first opened its doors to the public in 1904. It is unique in the UK being the only purpose-built art gallery created for the display of works by a single artist, the great Victorian artist G.F. Watts (1817-1904). Over one hundred paintings and sculptures are on permanent display; spanning a period of 70 years, they include portraits, landscapes and major symbolic works.

Perched on a hillside, overlooking the Gallery sits Limnerslease, the Autumn and Winter home and studio of G.F. and Mary Watts, originally built in the Arts & Crafts style. Limnerslease recently underwent a major restoration project. Don’t miss the chance to join a guided tour and glimpse the start of this nationally important project.

To this day, the legacy of G.F. and Mary Watts lives on, with artists working onsite and a contemporary gallery selling artwork by local and national artists. Watts Gallery also runs an extensive events programme for families, adults and young people, offering the opportunity to improve your art skills, attend a lecture, or meet one of the artists in residence.

George Frederic Watts 1817 - 1904