Our Programme Secretary Peggy Hooton, writes “Recently we (The Arts Society Uckfield, Lewes and Newick) supported the Farley House Schools’ exhibition with a small donation and, separately, we are developing an Arts Bytes link with Uckfield College.  I met Bethan Archer, Curriculum Lead of Art at Uckfield College recently, to discuss the latter but she also mentioned that her sixth formers have paintings in the current Farley exhibition!”

Bethan has kindly taken the time to write about this biennial exhibition and its benefit to her pupils and to share some of their art.

Our first lecture of the season was given by Dr Amy Lim, a researcher on the exhibition “Now You See Us: Women Artists in Britain, 1520–1920’ which ran at Tate Britain until 13th October 2024. The exhibition showed the work of over 100 women artists who battled against societies expectations to become professional artists. 

https://mailchi.mp/bce9cafc4bf2/arts-buzz-october-21066493

After the summer break, members of The Arts Society Horsham were eager to start their new membership year and were treated to a most fascinating lecture on two major international art collections: the Wallace Collection at Hertford House, London and the Frick Collection in New York.  The lecturer Hilary Williams, illustrated their intriguing connections and their link to Knole, the ancestral home of the Sackville family in Kent.  

Towards the end of August a group of our members enjoyed an excellent coach trip to Saffron Walden. 

In the morning we visited the fascinating Fry Art Gallery, where we had a private visit with an interesting talk about the history of the gallery and its extensive art collection.

Following the art gallery our coach transported us to the spectacular early 17th century mansion Audley End. Here, in glorious sunshine, we had the opportunity to explore the lovely gardens and the fascinating house.