2024 Art Exhibition

2024 is a significant year for The Friends of Holland Park as we celebrate the 40th art exhibition. Initiated by the architect and then chairman of The Friends, Sir Hugh Casson, as a way of promoting both established and emerging artists, The Friends of Holland Park Art Exhibition has grown into a dynamic spring show in which 70+ local artists contribute artworks that are displayed in one of London’s unique spaces, The Orangery in Holland Park.

To celebrate this 40th anniversary, I have not selected an individual Feature Artist - Holland Park will be the feature and the focus of the Feature Artist panel. Our thanks go to Ilchester Estates, for whose unwavering support we are sincerely grateful.

Could all artists please remember to have their completed forms, showing details of all their exhibits, to me by Friday 8th March. To do this, they must already be a Friend and have registered to exhibit. If you have been thinking about entering, do it! There is still time, and we would love you to join us.

Gordon French

ART EXHIBITION 2024 TIMETABLE
Friday, 8 March Final date for artist exhibit details forms to be received to allow catalogue listing
Friday, 5 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 are correct.
Friday, 5 April Hanging and judging, 11am – 6pm
Saturday, 6 April Exhibition opens to the public over nine days.to Sunday, 14 April. 
ENTRY TO VISIT EXHIBITION FREE OF CHARGE. 10.30am-6pm
Sunday, 14 April Artist and buyers collect works, 6.15 – 7pm
Monday, 15 April Artist and buyers collect works, 9-11am

Artists are particularly asked not to collect their works before 6.15pm on Sunday 14 April.

[February 2024]

I am so pleased to begin preparations for the 40th Friends of Holland Park Annual Art Exhibition, particularly as it coincides with the tenth year that I, and my family, have been involved in its organisation. The French family are extremely proud to continue this association with The Friends, a partnership that reflects our shared values of creativity and community.

Over the last two years we have introduced large plants, supplied by idverde, into The Orangery and they look superb. We will continue to find ways of enhancing the presentation of the space; but the truth is you, the artists, are the exhibition! The public comes for the art, whether they are a friend, saw the exhibition poster on a noticeboard, or were just walking past The Orangery and saw it open. 35% of the money from the sale of your artworks goes to The Friends, so that they can continue the important work they do in Holland Park. So, this is a call to action, artists! Please register and pay the registration fee, so I can send you the information/exhibit details forms. I want to see those red dots in April!

The conditions of entry are as before:  Friends who are artists, and artists who become Friends, are invited to exhibit up to ten works.  This should be made up of two framed works to hang on the walls, and up to eight unframed works for display in the browser print stands, the latter with a maximum size 70 x 100cm (including cardboard mounts but no wooden mounts).  Friends are also invited to exhibit up to ten three-dimensional objects such as ceramics, stoneware and small sculptures for the main exhibition.  The minimum sale price for the works in the main exhibition will be £75.  Artists can enter the Mini-Market of small works on offer at £65 and under, this includes cards and craft items, but no paintings.

Friends interested in exhibiting in the art exhibition, the Mini-Market, or both, need to register and pay £15 entry fee before they receive the artist exhibits forms.  The easiest way to register and pay is on our website, www.thefriendsofhollandpark.org.  If you do not pay online you must complete an order form and pay the £15 entry fee.

Register online HERE

REGISTRATION OPENS ON FRIDAY 1ST DECEMBER. Artists who have registered for the main exhibition may include works in the Mini-Market at no additional cost.  Please register as soon as possible, as space is limited.

Information about the exhibition is available here on our website www.thefriendsofhollandpark.org or from me, Gordon French, 19 Kensington Court Place London W8 5BJ; email: gordon.l.french@gmail.com. telephone 020 7937 7222.  All the information regarding the 2024 exhibition, feature artist and sponsorship will be detailed in the spring newsletter.

Let’s make the 40th exhibition something extra special. I look forward to seeing you in The Orangery.  

Gordon French

[November 2023]

Another wonderful art exhibition

We are fortunate at The Friends of Holland Park to have members as generous and imaginative as this year’s artists in our exhibition. The results demonstrated the creative richness and the successful partnership we have with them.

We always felt that the economic climate was not in our favour, however 46 out of 71 artists sold work which is a higher percentage than last year. We had excellent footfall throughout the exhibition, particularly during the weekdays.

A huge thank you to all our artists and a special thank you to our Feature Artist, Pauline Rafal, whose enthusiasm and skills contributed to the overall look of the exhibition. Our heartfelt thanks to the Ilchester Estates who have supported us for the past five years and we hope this will continue.

We would not be able to stage the exhibition without the assistance of the idverde park team with the initial set-up, including the plants and floral display.

The volunteer contribution was invaluable, ensuring the smooth running of the exhibition. Committee members, those who helped with the stewarding, artist check-in delivery and collection, the Mini Market and the hanging of the artwork - thank you. I would like to thank my wife Sandra and daughter Alex and as always Rhoddy Wood. See you in the Orangery in 2024.

Gordon French

[June 2023]

The 2023 Art Exhibition

Saturday 15th April to Sunday 23rd April

Spring is just around the corner which means for nine days every April the Orangery is filled with the wonderful works of art being displayed in The Friends of Holland Park Art Exhibition. I am always amazed and delighted with the quality and variety of the work and I am excited to see what the artists have produced this year.

This year’s Feature Artist is Pauline Rafal, who was one of last year’s prize winners. Pauline develops pen and ink drawings into linocuts and artists books inspired by poetry and music, as well as themes based around memories, daydreaming and the experience of change. I have always admired the artworks entered by Pauline and am really looking forward to giving everyone a more in-depth look at her work.

Could all artists please remember to have their completed forms, showing details of all their exhibits, to me by Friday 17th March. To do this, they must already be a member and have registered to exhibit (see form enclosed with the newsletter). If you have been thinking about entering, do it! There is still time, and we would love for you to join us.    

See you in the Orangery.

Gordon French

ART EXHIBITION 2023 TIMETABLE
Friday, 17 March  Final date for artist exhibit details forms to be received to allow catalogue listing
Friday, 14 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 are correct                                                
Friday, 14 April  Hanging and judging, 11am – 6pm
Saturday,15 April to Sunday, 23 April  Exhibition opens to the public over 9 days.                     

ENTRY TO VISIT EXHIBITION FREE OF CHARGE. 10.30am-6pm
Sunday, 23 April  Artist and buyers collect works, 6.15 – 7pm

[February 2023]