Watts Gallery Groups Brochure 2011

A visit to one of europe’s most beAutiful smAll gAlleries

groups guide

2011-2012

www.wattsgallery.org.uk

WAtts gAllery: A nAtionAl gAllery in the heArt of A villAge

Watts Gallery, star of BBC Restoration Village,

re-opens 18 June 2011 after an £11 million

restoration has returned it to its former glory.

Housing a collection of works by the eminent

Victorian artist, G.F. Watts, it is one of the most

beautiful small galleries in Europe. The only

purpose-built Gallery in the UK dedicated to a

single professional artist it is one of a triad of

galleries representing Watts, alongside Tate and

the National Portrait Gallery

The Hope Project to save Watts Gallery, will

have restored the buildings, conserved the

collection, extended the education programme

and established Watts Gallery as a centre for

the exploration of Victorian art, social history

and craft. There are also a number of special

exhibitions throughout the year, which are not to

be missed.

Visitors can also enjoy the nearby Watts Chapel,

an Arts and Crafts masterpiece, full of Art

Nouveau imagery and designed by Mary Watts.

The Tea Shop at Watts Gallery serves locally

sourced home-made food and is the perfect spot

to take lunch or even an afternoon tea.

An introductory talk or an in-depth tour of

either the Gallery or Chapel will bring these

historic spaces to life and are sure to fascinate

your group.

In his own lifetime George Frederic Watts OM

RA (1817-1904), was widely considered to be

one of the greatest painters of the Victorian age,

enjoying an unparalleled reputation. His ceaseless

experimentation embodied the most pressing

themes and ideas of the time.

A complex figure, Watts was the finest and

most penetrating portraitist of his age, a sculptor,

landscape painter and symbolist.

Watts’s wife, Mary Seton Watts, was also a

prolific artist. After marrying G.F. Watts she

turned her attentions to craft-based work

including pottery and gesso work. She established

the Compton Pottery on the Watts Gallery

Estate and taught many of the local community

pottery skills. A selection of the ceramics

produced by the Compton Potters is on display

in the Gallery.

the utmost for the highest - the Art of g.f. WAtts

“It is a precious place, I know of

nowhere in the world like it.”

Maev Kennedy, The Guardian

October 2010!

Painting for the Nation:

G.F. Watts and the Tate:

18 June 2011 - 1 January 2012

Between 1897 and 1938 the Tate Gallery had

a permanent room devoted to the works

of G.F. Watts. His major bequest of paintings

to the gallery was gratefully accepted by the

nation who found these symbolist masterpieces

as uplifting moral statements that offered

spirituality to an increasingly secular audience.

Drawing from this rich collection, the exhibition

evokes the Tate room through the display of

many of his major works.

Hope: World Icon

18 June 2011 - 27 November 2011

G.F. Watts’s Hope

has inspired people

throughout the

world. When a

version was given

to Tate in 1897

it was the most

popular picture.

Since then the

painting has

influenced European artists, poets from China

and Japan and thousands of individuals including

Barack Obama. Its image was made into prints,

photographs, postcards and even sheet music,

stamps and a 1922 film. This exhibition will

explore this extraordinary icon through its

many manifestations.

pAinting for the nAtion: g.f. WAtts And tAte & hope: World icon

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‘It is no exaggeration to say that the Watts

Cemetery Chapel is one of the most beautiful,

one of the most extraordinary, original,

marvellous and magical buildings in the whole

of the British Isles!’- Lucinda Lambton

Watts Chapel, just 300 yards from the Gallery,

is a stunning Grade I listed building designed

and built by Mary Seton Watts. Its key features

are its eclectic mix of Byzantine and Celtic

Rmanesque styles brought together in a

unique Arts & Crafts masterpiece and the

extraordinary body of symbols that cover its

teracotta exterior and hand coloured gesso

interior. It is impossible not to admire the

work and inspiration that lies behind this

beautiful building.

Please note that the Chapel is still

in use and dates are subject to availability.

With thanks to Compton Parish Council.

Open 9am-5pm Monday to Sunday.

WAtts chApel - An Arts & crAfts mAsterpiece And hidden gem

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By Car/CoachThe Gallery is just ten minutes from junction 10

on the M25. Leave the M25 at junction 10 and

continue along the A3. Take the B3000 off the

A3, signposted Godalming (brown tourist signs

to Loseley Park). Take the first exit from the

roundabout at the end of the slip road- this is

Down Lane. Watts Gallery is a short distance on

the right.

Watts Gallery welcomes coaches, and although

there is no coach parking on

the estate coaches can drop

off their group at the Gallery

and park at the Artington Park

and Ride (Postcode GU3 1LP,

5minutes away). All coaches

must be pre-booked with

Watts Gallery.

WalkingWatts Gallery is located along the North Downs

Way which largely follows the historical Pilgrim’s

Way, and is located in the Surrey Hills, an Area

of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you would like

some information on scenic walks or cycle routes

of varying lengths that include Watts Gallery and

other local attractions, please enquire on 01483

813 580.

The Tea Shop at Watts Gallery: A Local Treasure

‘This local treasure has a devoted cult following’ –

Shirlee Posner, Europcar Gastro Guide

The Tea Shop at Watts Gallery specialises in fresh,

English, seasonal food, that is sourced as locally

as possible, made on the premises and served

by friendly staff. There is a selection of freshly

baked homemade cakes and scones, as well as

homemade jams and chutneys.

A variety of hot lunch options are available from

12pm until 3pm. The Tea Shop was recently

chosen as one of only 20 eateries nationwide to

feature in the Europcar Gastro Guide written by

Britain’s Guild of Food Writers.

Group Dining SpaceThe Tea Shop can provide a private bookable

dining area for groups of up to 20 people.

To reserve this area please enquire when

booking your visit. The Tea Shop is open

Tuesday-Sunday 10.30am-5pm.

booking informAtion

How to BookBe one of the first groups to visit

Watts Gallery following its restoration!

You can book group visits by contacting

Alex Prince on 01483 813 580 or email

[email protected].

We are currently taking group bookings

from June 2011 onwards.

PricesStandard group entry: £6 p/p (save £1.50)

Group bookings with a 20-minute introductory

tour: £8 p/p.

Group bookings with an in-depth tour

(approx 1 hour): £9.50 p/p.

Chapel Tour (approx 1 hour): £5.50 p/p

Chapel Tour & Gallery Entry: £10 p/p

Chapel Tour & Gallery Tour (Introduction: 20

mins): £12 p/p

Chapel Tour & Gallery Tour (Full: 1 hour):

£13.50 p/p

Please note: minimum group size is 8 people.

A Personal Service/WelcomeThe visitor Services Manager can help to create

a bespoke itinerary perfectly suited for you and

your group before you arrive. All groups will be

welcomed to the Gallery by a member of staff

who will meet you on arrival and answer any

questions you may have.

Exclusive Access for GroupsGroup bookers can also be granted exclusive

access to the Watts Gallery Archives for a

viewing of rarely seen drawings by G.F. Watts and

Mary Watts’ s diaries. Access to the archives is by

appointment, please enquire when booking.

Opening Times11am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays

1pm-5pm on Sundays

Closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays

AccessWatts Gallery, the Visitor Centre and Tea Shop

are all fully accessible to wheelchair users. There

are accessible toilets in Watts Gallery and near

The Tea Shop. If any members of your group

have any special requirements please let us know

in advance so that we may accommodate them

to the best of our abilities.

Watts Gallery Visitor Centre and Shop Watts Gallery Shop stocks a wide range of

quality books and gifts including more unusual

items and out-of-print books.

Opening times:

10:30 – 5:15 Tuesday – Saturday

12:30 – 5:15 Sundays

Closed on Mondays except Bank Holidays

External TalksIf you would like someone from Watts Gallery

to come and talk to your group about the

internationally renowned collection and

remarkable restoration project please call

Alex Prince on 01483 813 580. (Recommended

donation £100)

How to Find Us:Watts Gallery, Down Lane, Compton

Guildford, Surrey, GU3 1DQ

Find out more at www.wattsgallery.org.uk