Contemporary marine art at the Sea Pictures Gallery in Clare

LAND AHOY! The new art exhibition for the autumn is now hung and the gallery is once again open for business

This is a special exhibition of marine paintings by some of the UK’s leading artists and Sea Pictures Gallery are privileged to be able to show such top class work in Clare. The exhibition is on until 17th October.

For the last six years, Sea Pictures Gallery has sponsored a prize at the annual exhibition of the Royal Society of Marine Artists in the Mall Galleries in London. This is their way of giving something back to artists for the support they receive from many of the RSMA’s members. Sea Pictures Gallery also sponsors the Bury Bach Choir and enjoys their wonderful concerts.

Another new development at the gallery is the introduction of ART TALKS…. The first was held on Saturday 17 September with the current Chairman of the East Anglian Group of Marine Artists, Richard Dack, talking about painting boats and harbours. It was well attended and everyone stayed much longer than they thought they would. The second ART TALKS… event is on Saturday 8 October with Trevor Sowden, a member of the Gainsborough House Printmakers, who will be talking about “keeping a sketchbook”. ART TALKS… start at 12noon and ends at 12.30pm with light refreshments and costs £4.00 a ticket. Places are limited and it is hoped these events will appeal to keen amateurs, art students and collectors who are keen to meet the artist and ask questions afterwards. The third ART TALKS…. event is on Saturday 5 November and will feature Anglian Potter Anja Penger Onyett who will be talking about glazes. To book a ticket, call the gallery on 01787 279024.

The gallery works with artists from several of the British painting societies - RSMA, RI, SWLA, SWA, PWS, the Wapping Group and EAGMA - as well as professional photographers from the BIPP and the RPS and a number of craft guilds. Work is sourced from across the UK and one of the most popular items this summer and autumn has been the stunning handmade Welsh blankets or “Carthen” from Sioni Rhys Handweavers in Wales. Each piece is a one-off original work of art, hand woven on a loom over 100 years old.

People are increasingly shopping online and that is true in the art world too. Visitors are often amazed that anyone can buy art without seeing it first but if you are a collector of someone’s work, you know the quality and don’t need to see it first. All work on the website is available to purchase and if you do not see what you are looking for, please get in contact.

The final exhibition for 2016 opens on Thursday 3 November and is entitled ‘A Time To Wonder”. It aims to show as many of the artists who have exhibited with Sea Pictures Gallery during the year so the variety of work on display is truly wonderful.