Art Exhibition 2018

Art Exhibition 2019

Saturday 6 April – Sunday 14 April 2019

Now that the temperature has suddenly dropped after an incredible long, hot summer, and the clocks have been turned back, it is time to start thinking about The Friends of Holland Park 2019 Art Exhibition.

Last spring we had an extremely successful exhibition, and I am keen that we all build on that. As the organisers we handle the administration, advertise the exhibition and co-ordinate the two Private Views, but in the back of my mind there is always the question of how to get more people in The Orangery during the exhibition. I now realise that you, our artists, are the answer. Most of you have buyers, mailing lists and friends interested in art. You are members of art groups, gyms, parent circles or book clubs. Use these contacts. Your artworks will be displayed for ten days in The Orangery, one of the most picturesque venues in London, situated in beautiful Holland Park. When we e-mail you the exhibition poster, forward this to your contacts and ask them to pass it on to anyone they think will be interested. Perhaps arrange your own 'Meet the Artist' in The Orangery, on a weekday when there is less of a crowd, which gives you a fantastic opportunity to speak about your artwork to potential buyers. The Friends of Holland Park Art Exhibition has a reputation for selling quality work at a fair price, and I am extremely proud to have the opportunity to be involved. If you have any ideas or suggestions as to how we can increase our visitor numbers, please let me know.

All the information regarding the 2019 exhibition Feature Artist and sponsor will be detailed in our Spring newsletter and here on the website.

There is no change to the entry conditions of previous years: Friends who are artists and artists who become Friends are invited to exhibit up to ten works; two framed works to hang on the walls, and up to eight unframed works for display in the portfolio browser stands, these with a maximum size of 70 x 100cm (including mounts, but no wooden mounts please). Friends are also invited to exhibit up to ten three-dimensional objects such as ceramics, glassware and small sculptures, or enter the mini-mart of small works on offer at £40 and under, including cards and craft items. The minimum price for works in the main exhibition will be £50.

Friends interested in exhibiting in the art exhibition, the mini-mart or both, need to register by completing the order form and pay the £10 entry fee.  Please note that artists who have registered for the main exhibition may also include small works in the mini-mart at no additional cost. Complete your registration as soon as possible because space is limited, and when enough artists have registered we cannot accept any more.

Further information on The Friends of Holland Park Art Exhibition is available from me, Gordon French, 19 Kensington Court Place, London, W8 5BJ; tel: 020 7937 7222; e-mail: gordon.l.french@gmail.com

Let us all think how we can spread the word about the 2019 art exhibition and get more people in The Orangery so we can continue to have lots more red dots.

Gordon French

[Winter 2018]

Art Exhibition in the Orangery,

Holland Park

Saturday 6 April –

Sunday 14 April 2019


Details available and entry for exhibitors open from 1 December 2018

[July 2018]

Report on The Friends of Holland Park Art Exhibition 2018

Art exhibition 2018Firstly, I would like to thank the artists for making this year's exhibition a great success. We made over £10,000 in sales and more than half of the artists sold works. Also, this year we had an increase in sculpture and ceramics which gave the exhibition both balance and variety. As always, the exhibition was beautifully curated by Alison Becket. So to all artists and Alison – a massive thank you.

I would also like to thank our feature artist Małgorzata (Gosia) Łapsa-Malawska. Gosia's artwork on the exhibition poster was a real draw-card, and she made herself available to visitors for the duration of the exhibition.

Each year Isabel Langtry, Principal of Hampstead School of Art, judges our exhibition and we thank her for her time and expertise. Isabel also generously awards a prize for Applied Art: one term's tuition in an applied art course. The artists who were awarded prizes were Elizabeta Chojak-Mysko for Artistic Excellence with her watercolour 'Walk'; Ivan Kulinski in the three-dimensional category with his sculpture 'King and Queen'; Kye Sook Park the Hugh Casson Prize for Drawing with 'Melody of Love IV'; Emily Marbach for Applied Art with 'Kensington Feathers'; and Krystyna Dankiewicz's 'Sunset in Holland Park' was awarded the Spirit of Holland Park prize by the FHP trustees. A tremendous 'well done' to all the prize-winners, and to Isabel for her considered judgement.

Artex 2 2018I was very proud of this year's exhibition. The Orangery looked superb, and the administration all went to plan, thanks to my wife Sandra and daughter Alex (aka Alessia). As always, Rhoddy Wood was on hand to help in all areas, especially the Mini-Market, which did very well this year. Thanks also to Joy Puritz, for her compilation of the catalogue, year after year.  We are also most grateful to the other trustees and the stewards for volunteering their time.

This year the icing on the cake was the sponsorship of the exhibition by Ilchester Estates. The family has been a part of Holland Park and the history of Holland House for many years, being the final owners before handing it over to the Council. Their new development of Holland Green, next to the Design Museum, is breathing new life into this end of the High Street. I would like to thank Ilchester Estates for their support, which I hope will continue and grow in the years to come.

As always, we had generous support from local restaurants, hotels and businesses for our raffle, the entire proceeds of which go to The Friends.

Thank you again to the artists – you are the exhibition!

I look forward to doing it all again next year at the 2019 Art Exhibition.

Gordon French

Photos by Alessia

[July 2018]

Art Exhibition 2018

The exhibition is now full and regretfully we can accept no more registrations for 2018. The Private Views are now also fully booked.

The Friends of Holland Park 2018 Art Exhibition is only a month away and I am pleased to report that our appeal to introduce new artists to the Friends is working.

I am excited about this year's Feature Artist, Małgorzata (Gosia) Łapsa-Malawska. Gosia is a Polish artist based in London. She works mainly in painting as well as in collage, photography, poster design and lithography. Gosia has received several awards, had many solo shows and exhibitions as well as exhibiting with the Friends for the past five years. She is involved in several local community projects.

Could all artists please ensure that their Exhibition details forms are with me by Friday, 16 March. Please remember to indicate which Private View you would like to attend: Friday night or Saturday morning, otherwise you will not receive tickets.

We hope you will support The Friends of Holland Park by visiting our exhibition and tell all your family, friends and neighbours.  Look forward to seeing you there.

Gordon French

Art Exhibition Timetable

Friday, 16 March    All exhibit details forms must be received by this date to allow listing in the catalogue

Friday, 13 April    Artists deliver artworks to the Orangery, Holland Park, 8.30-11am

All artists will be required to sign the catalogue to certify that all details shown are correct

Friday, 13 April    Hanging and judging, 11am-6pm

Friday, 13 April    Private View, 7.30-9.30pm, entry by ticket at £3

Saturday, 14 April    Private View, 10.30am-12.30pm, entry by ticket at £3

For the two Private Views, artists are entitled to 5 complimentary tickets in toto

Saturday, 14 April    Exhibition open to the public, 1-6pm. Entry free of charge

Sunday, 15 April - Sunday 22 April   Exhibition open to the public, 10.30am-6pm. Entry free of charge

Sunday, 22 April    Artists and buyers collect works, 6-7pm

Monday, 23 April    Artists and buyers collect works, 9-11am

Artists are particularly asked not to collect their works before 6pm on SUNDAY, 22 April

[Spring 2018]