M E D I A R E L E A S E February 2008

Chelsea Art Society - 61st Annual Open Art Exhibition 2^nd- 6^th July 2008

The Chelsea Art Society is delighted to announce details of its 61st Annual Open Art Exhibition. This eagerly-anticipated event takes place from 2^nd- 6^th July 2008 in Chelsea Old Town Hall as a conclusion to the dynamic and vibrant Chelsea Festival (14^th - 27^th June 2008). Admission is free and opening times are from 10am to 7pm daily (Sunday 10am to 2pm).

During the exhibition, over 500 paintings and sculptures from both established and aspiring artists alike are on view. They cover a wide variety of styles including figurative, abstract, oil, watercolour, print and sculpture. The wide range and extremely high standard of work on display attracts a large number of buyers and visitors to this popular exhibition. They have the opportunity to view and acquire the works of both well-known artists and of the famous names of the future, as the paintings and sculptures are available for purchase with prices ranging from £75 to around £2,000. Last year’s Diamond Jubilee exhibition was one of the most successful ever with an exceptionally high number of visitors reflected in a record number of sales!

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 19^th Century, followed by Whistler, 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. The majority of exhibitors tend to be residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea but are free to apply from all over the UK.

Traditionally, the Mayors of Chelsea have always been patrons of the Society. Other past patrons have included Lord Olivier, Joyce Grenfell, Lord Thornycroft and Lord Rawlinson of Ewell QC. The present patron is The Earl Cadogan DL. There are also distinguished honorary members, including Ken Howard RA RSW NEAC.

Chelsea Art Society President, Julian Barrow, commented: “This is our 61st Annual Open Art Exhibition and we are delighted to continue our links with the Chelsea Festival. Chelsea remains the traditional home of artists and our annual open art exhibition serves to make people aware of our important role in the arts that Chelsea has always so warmly embraced. As this is the only remaining annual art exhibition in Chelsea, we encourage professional and amateur painters and sculptors to exhibit. Visitors to the show enjoy a huge variety of paintings, watercolours, drawings, prints and sculptures and our annual exhibition is a welcome fixture both in the wider art world and in Chelsea in particular”.

ENDS

For details and entry forms, please contact: The Secretary, Chelsea Art Society, 50 Bowerdean Street, London

SW6 3TW Tel: 020 7731 3121 or email your postal address to: chelseaartsociety@btinternet.com

For media information, please contact: Karen Pitchford, KHJ Communications Ltd Tel/Fax: 020 8292 2862

email: karen_pitchford@lineone.net