P RES S REL EAS E
The ‘Horse in Art’ 2016 Annual Open Exhibition
At the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art,
Palace House Mews, Newmarket • 21st November – 4th December 2016
(For Immediate Release)
The Society of Equestrian Artists (SEA) is relocating its 2016 Annual Open Exhibition, The Horse in Art from London to the new
National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art (formerly the National Horseracing Museum), in Newmarket.
This will be the 37th Annual Exhibition and the Society’s seventh as an Open Show and will include a mix of paintings, drawings,
sculpture and original print. It will also be an exciting year for the SEA to commence its relationship with the new ‘home of Sporting
Art’ as Newmarket is not only celebrating the opening of the fantastic facility at Palace House but also its 350 years of heritage and
affiliation with British horseracing. The exhibition builds on a growing relationship with the Horseracing Museum whose significant
support has allowed the SEA to promote three solo exhibitions of previous Cuneo Medal winners; Hannah Merson SEA, Glynis Mills
Hon. SEA and Malcolm Coward Hon. SEA, along with other mixed shows. The logo to mark the 350 years anniversary, and which
unites all activity throughout the year, has been designed by Michelle McCullagh SEA.
The exhibition will show a selection of submissions from SEA artists and open entries. It will also feature work from the 2016 Cuneo
Medal winner (the most prestigious award to a Full Member of the SEA – and named in honour of the group’s first President, Sir
Terence Cuneo CVO, OBE, RGI). The 2016 Cuneo Medal is judged from entries at the Cuneo Medal Exhibition held at Porlock’s
Churchgate Gallery in June. The 2015 and 2016 winner was Malcolm Coward Hon. SEA – internationally recognised as one of
England’s leading equestrian artists. Past winners also include Susie Whitcombe, Tom Coates, Colin Allbrook, Sally Martin and
Dennis Syrett.
Other awards bestowed by the SEA include: Denford Stud Best in Show, the British Sporting Art Trust Award for the best sculpture,
the Banstead Manor Award for the best sporting picture, the Horse and Hound Award for the best hunting picture or sculpture,
the International Thoroughbred Magazine Award (a commission for a front cover) for the best depiction of a Thoroughbred in any
medium and the new Dr Robert Fountain Award; for the best original print.
As part of this year’s exhibition activity there will be a competition to produce and submit a piece of art created on the exhibition’s
opening day. Participants will pay a fee for a board (collected from the gallery) and then set off into Newmarket to capture their
own interpretation of what the horse means to the town. The competition will be open to the public. The winning submission will
be hung as part of the exhibition at Palace House Mews, where the workshop pictures will be judged prior to the Private View that
evening where all entries will be shown.
2016 Cuneo Medal Winner Debbie Dunbar SEA – ‘The Glynis Mills Hon. SEA – ‘The Spanish Gill Parker SEA –
Malcolm Coward Hon SEA – Tree Line’. Flag(s)’. ‘Frankel’ bronze.
‘Study of Grey’.
Continued...
CONTACT
press@equestrianartists.co.uk | Elizabeth Peel 07958 634 587 • Alison Lidderdale 07767 491 527 (thelionassociates.co.uk)
ABOUT the Society of Equestrian artists (SEA)
The SEA was founded in 1979 under the Chairmanship of Norman Hoad, a notable equestrian and aviation artist. It exists to
promote the practice of equestrian painting and sculpture and to advance public education and an appreciation of this art. It
does this by arranging public exhibitions, holding workshops and encouraging the highest levels of artistic competence through
mutual criticism, discussion and example. Members’ works are showcased through the website – www.equestrianartists.co.uk/
The SEA commitment to encouraging the artists of tomorrow is demonstrated by collaboration with organisations such as the
British Horseracing Education Standards Trust’s (BHEST) Racing to Schools project, the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing
and Sporting Art, The Pony Club and also the Munnings Museum – who’s invaluable support is paramount in both workshops,
exhibitions and promotion of the Society.
Membership of the Society is open to anyone who wishes to support the Society through joining as a Friend. Friends who are artists
may apply to be considered for promotion to Associate Members (ASEA) who in turn many become Full Members by exhibiting
their work over a number of years.
As a charity foundation the SEA relies on its members to fulfil voluntary roles with regard to organisation and running of exhibitions
and the general administration and management. Those interested in joining or wishing to support are welcome to contact us
through the web site.
Short version
The SEA was founded in 1979 under the Chairmanship of Norman Hoad, a notable equestrian and aviation artist. It exists to
promote the practice of equestrian painting and sculpture and to advance public education and an appreciation of this art.
Members’ works are showcased through the website – www.equestrianartists.co.uk.
CONTACT
press@equestrianartists.co.uk | Elizabeth Peel 07958 634 587 • Alison Lidderdale 07767 491 527 (thelionassociates.co.uk)