The inspiration for our summer exhibitions is our ongoing committment to the community and the wider public. The firm's business development consciously includes involvement at many levels on the charity, cultural tourism and educational side in the local Cotswold and wider three counties communities which we serve professionally.
Practically, this includes the use this firm makes of its space and networking ability to support local and regional chariites as well promote contemporary artists and makers. The general public are invited during the summer months, to the space in which we normaly hold our Art & Antiques auctions (monthly) during the rest of the year. From June-September, the public can learn more about the artists and craftsmen of the past and present, and in some cases purchase their work.
In 2008 the firm was main and indeed founding sponsors of the now acclaimed Tewkesbury AWAKEN YOUR SENSES Festival. Indeed, since begining Art & Antiques auctions at Prinknash Abbey Park in January 2007, Simon Chorley Art and Antiques have held their own summer exhibitions.
In 2009 the firm chose to highlight the Arts & Crafts Movement again (September 10th - 24th), assist the monks in sharing the wonderful treasures of the Benedictine Community at Prinknash with the public (August 10th-14th) and promote the top artists of the Cotswolds (July 9th - 20th).
However it is the Arts & Crafts Movement as it began in England and as it developed in the Cotswolds during the early 20th century, which is sought in particular for promotion by this firm.
This includes the continuing tradition alive today in the work of our modern Cotswold Craftsmen, contemporary makers, private collectors, galleries, museums and academics; all are part of the network we are able to call upon to contribute to the loan and selling exhibitions we seek to create. All our exhibitions are open to the general public, with a policy of incorporating a rule of entrance fee proceeds going to the charity of our choice.
Our Calendar of Events is updated reguarly and will tell you more about each exhibition. We welcome suggestions for partnership along the lines described above and would encourage you to contact the firm with your ideas or proposals.
Below you will shortly find some helpful and pertinent links to the Arts & Crafts Movement in the Cotswolds and Britain as a whole.
http://www.artsandcraftsmuseum.org.uk with which we reciprocally co-operate on exhibitions
http://www.rodmarton-manor.co.uk
http://www.designmuseum.org/design/page73403
http://www.cotswolds.info/arts-crafts-antiques/arts-crafts-movement.shtml
http://www.stantonguildhouse.org.uk/ for information about learning some of the Arts and Crafts skills