A visit to The Watts Gallery Artists’ Village near Guildford, travelling by 19-seater coach from Chandler's Ford, with one other pick up stop in The Avenue, Southampton.
The group will first visit the beautiful Grade 1 listed chapel, designed by Mary Watts, before continuing to the main gallery for coffee and biscuits. They will hear a short, introductory talk about what there is to see, including the special exhibition The Art of Wallpaper, featuring designs by William Morris. This exhibition explores how Morris & Co. transformed wallpaper through hand block printing and how these wallpapers redefined interiors and modern taste. It reveals how ideas on art, craft and social purpose resonated with G F and Mary Watts and the artistic community at Compton.
After lunch there will be free time to explore the rest of the site. There is plenty to see, including the De Morgan ceramics and paintings permanent collection, the allegorical paintings of Victorian painter GF Watts, the stunning Sculpture Gallery, the contemporary art gallery, as well as the site's lovely grounds and gardens.
Participants can make the short, uphill walk to Limnerslease, the historic Arts and Crafts style home and studios of George and Mary Watts to find out more about the two artists.
There is an excellent shop and café.
The cost of the visit is £55 per person plus a small booking fee. This includes the coach, morning coffee/tea, lunch (sandwich and fruit platters), a brief welcome talk and a tip for the coach driver. The entrance price is a separate charge.
More details about Watts Gallery including the ticketing options can be found at https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/visit
To book go to the TicketSource link on the Homepage of this website.
Any enquiries please email visit organiser Juliet Penfold at Ticketsourcesouthampton@gmail.com after the beginning of August as she is on holiday until then.