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31/3/2008

George Frederic Watts

Watts Gallery, Compton Guildford

The final exhibition at Watts Gallery, Compton, will tell the story of the Gallery and its 104 year history. Since it first opened to the public on 1 April 1904 (the same date as the exhibition opens) the Gallery has succeeded in bringing important art to a wide audience, cementing G. F. Watts and Mary Watts’ vision of art for all.

The exhibition will explore the past as well as the future of the Gallery with a newly commissioned model of the Gallery site and images of how the newly restored rooms will look. This is the perfect time to see the Gallery before restoration begins in autumn 2008. The main Gallery will close during this time, re-opening in summer 2010.

Since being runners-up in BBC Restoration Village in 2006, interest in the Gallery has rocketed and most visitors are still making their first trip here. A Journey of Hope will be the last chance to see the Gallery for nearly two years.

The exhibition will look at the history of the Gallery and how, by recapturing the original vision of its founders through closely studying the original paint colours, wall coverings, room structures and restoring accurately what was a state of the art building for its time, the unique ‘sense of place’ that visitors regularly comment on will be preserved in the restoration.

The Watts’ close involvement with the community of Compton will also be explored. The Cemetery Chapel (designed by Mary Watts) involved the local community in its creation, which led to the formation of the Compton Pottery Arts & Crafts Guild.

In preparation for a major international tour of works by G. F. Watts, many pictures will be being conserved during this time. This will allow for rarely seen works to be shown from the stores and a constantly changing selection of artworks for all to see.

Watts Gallery
Down Lane - Compton Guildford

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