Karen Pitchford, KHJ Communications Ltd
Tel: 020 8292 2862 / email: pitchfordkaren@gmail.com
M E D I A R E L E A S E March 2013
The Chelsea Art Society announces its 66th Annual Open Art Exhibition for June 2013
The Chelsea Art Society is delighted to announce details of its 66th Annual Open Art Exhibition. This
welcome, established event takes place this year from Thursday 20th - Monday 24th June 2013 in
Chelsea Old Town Hall, its home for more than ten years. Admission is free and opening times are
from 10am to 7pm daily (Sunday 10am-5pm; final day, Monday 24th: 10am to 2pm).
During the exhibition, over 500 paintings and sculptures from both established and aspiring artists alike
are on view. The innovative works cover a wide range of styles including figurative, abstract, oil,
watercolour, print and sculpture. The huge variety and the high standard of work on display is reflected
in the number of buyers and its prominent position in the Kings Rd attracts visitors from all over the
world. They have the opportunity to view and acquire works by well-known artists as well as those of
famous names of the future, as the paintings and sculptures are available for purchase with prices
ranging from £75 to around £2,000.
Founded in 1910, The Chelsea Art Society is the oldest and sole survivor of the many art groups that
blossomed in the area around that period. Rossetti and Turner began the trend to settle in Chelsea in
the mid 19th Century, followed by James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Walter Sickert, Augustus John and
John Singer Sargent. Amongst the group was Sir James Dromgole Linton, a frequent exhibitor at the
Royal Academy and an Honorary member of the Scottish Water Colour Society. He chose Chelsea as
the place to found an art group to exhibit annually. The Chelsea Art Society flourished and even
survived the disruption of two World Wars, revived in 1946 by Alfred Egerton Cooper RBA. Its current
President is renowned artist, Julian Barrow, who lives and works in a famous studio in Tite Street,
Chelsea. There are currently around 100 members and artists are invited to join the Society through
having shown exceptional work at the exhibition over a three year period. Exhibitors are free to apply
from all over the UK.
Past patrons have included Lord Olivier, Joyce Grenfell, Lord Thornycroft and Lord Rawlinson of Ewell
QC. Present patrons are The Earl Cadogan DL and The Worshipful The Mayor of the Royal Borough of
Kensington and Chelsea. There are also distinguished honorary members, including Ken Howard OBE
RA PPNEAC, Sheila Donaldson Walter FRSA and Hugh Krall.
Julian Barrow, noted: “The Chelsea Art Society’s annual exhibition is the only show where anyone,
professional or amateur, can submit work to be considered for exhibition, be it painting, drawing or
sculpture. The exhibition takes place in the old Chelsea Town Hall, a beautiful and suitable venue, and
entrance for visitors is free. It is an opportunity to see and appreciate a variety of work, all of which is
for sale, should you be tempted, at reasonable prices. The annual exhibition is a most popular event
during the 'Chelsea Season'”.
ENDS
For details and entry forms, you can either 1) email your details to: chelseaartsociety@gmail.com
2) contact The Secretary, Chelsea Art Society, 50 Bowerdean Street, London SW6 3TW 3) visit the
website at www.chelseaartsociety.org.uk or 4) call 020 7731 3121. (If there is no answer, please leave
your name and email address or phone number on the answer machine).
For media information, please contact: Karen Pitchford, KHJ Communications Ltd Tel: 020 8292 2862
email: pitchfordkaren@gmail.com
www.chelseaartsociety.org.uk / www.julianbarrow.com