The annual exhibition of The Wildlife Art Society International. A display consisting of over 300 works, both 2D and 3D. The society provides a focus for the interests of wildlife artists, painters, sculptors and photographers, whether they are professional, serious amateur or leisure artists. Most works are for sale. See members demonstrating every day.
The Wildlife Art Society International was founded in 1992 and has grown to be one of the leading Wildlife Art Societies in the UK and continues to grow in recognition internationally.
This event is organised by TWASI and will take place in a marquee on the front lawn of Nature in Art.
19:00 Doors
19:30 Finger Buffet
Talk starts around 20:10
This evening coincides with The Wildlife Art Society International’s (TWASI) exhibition. They have chosen Game Rangers International (GRI) as their charity this year. Sport Beattie is President and Founder of GRI who work in Zambia to empower rangers and local communities to conserve nature. Come and hear some inspiring real-life stories from the front-line of conservation. Part of proceeds in aid of GRI.
(Access to TWASI exhibition included).
£10 per person
To book a place on this talk, please CLICK HERE
NOW EXTENDED TO 23rd July (was 16th)
A unique selection of work by the popular UK cartoonist, Norman Thelwell.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain’s most popular cartoonists to have worked in Britain since the Second World War, Norman Thelwell (1923 – 2004). Although best known for his images of girls and their fat ponies, his work is far more wide ranging than many realise. The countryside and environment were particular passions that informed his work. His cartoons were a powerful way for him to comment on issues of the day.
‘Wrestling with a Pencil’ was the title of Thelwell’s autobiography (1984), and in it he says ‘Although my object as a cartoonist was mainly to earn my living by amusing readers, it was also quite possible to express my own feelings on subjects, situations and events about which I felt strongly. Politics I have always found very boring and there was no way in which I could have become a political cartoonist. My interest lies in the minutiae of the human dilemma, the day to day problems of life and the way we are all swept along by events or developments which we feel helpless to influence. I seem to have touched at one time or another on almost every subject under the sun from combine harvesters to computers, rockets to ramblers, paraffin to pigs. But the predominant thread which has always run through my work is my love of and fascination with the countryside: the flesh and bones of these islands.’
This exhibition will include a broad selection from a remarkable body of work produced over a lifetime. The selection was made with the assistance of Thelwell’s artist son, David, who will be artist in residence at Nature in Art in June, and Thelwell’s daughter, Penny.
In 1952, Thelwell penned his first cartoon for the satirical British magazine Punch, renowned internationally for its wit, irreverence, and for publishing the world’s best comic writers and poets. This led to a relationship that lasted for 25 years and over 1,500 cartoons, including 60 front covers. Some original Punch cartoons will be included in this exhibition.
Thelwell published his first pony cartoon in 1953, and quite by accident, his name became synonymous with images of little girls and fat hairy ponies. The ‘Thelwell pony’ quickly became the most-often referenced source of horse humour the world over, and today, as we prepare to celebrate the centennial of the artist’s life, his caricatures remain as popular as ever. Thelwell’s 34 books have sold over 2 million copies in the United Kingdom alone, and his cartoons are found on a diverse array of merchandise. Interestingly, when we need it most, his book ‘The Effluent Society’, which commented on environmental issues, was republished this March. (This, and some other merchandise will be available in the shop.)
Lent by the family archive, this display, although including a few of his renowned horse and pony pictures, also embraces serious paintings completed purely for pleasure, and drawn and painted cartoons with relevance to nature, the countryside and environment, plus early works from his army days in India and before. Together they reveal not just Thelwell’s skill as an artist, but also his mastery of sharp social comment and his awareness of then current and future threats. He used satire to convey serious messages about the need to preserve the natural world; many of which still have poignancy today.
Many of his 34 books centre upon country life and country pursuits, and their light-hearted images are founded upon a thorough knowledge of their topics. (He was a keen angler, for example.) Although progress has been made in some areas of conservation and the tackling of environmental challenges, it is likely that Thelwell would be disappointed that many of his cajoling drawings are as relevant today as the day he put pencil to paper. Things have not changed as much as he would have liked.
For the last quarter of a century of his life Thelwell lived in the Test Valley at Timsbury, gradually restoring a farm house and landscaping the grounds which gave rise to his first factual book, ‘A Plank Bridge by a Pool’, which detailed the first two lakes he dug there. A third lake was later featured on the BBC TV. Written much earlier, but published three years later, ‘A Millstone Round My Neck’ described his experiences in re-building a Cornish water mill that was sold before the book was published. He always loved old buildings, and in his autobiography, ‘Wrestling with a Pencil’ he wrote about his joy of old cottages.
19:00 Doors
19:30pm Finger Buffet
Talk starts around 20:10
Through his exquisite, gentle and humorous cartoons from the 1950s, Norman Thelwell was ahead of the curve in his campaigning against pollution, factory farming and the wholesale destruction of rural habitat. Post-war, the British countryside was transformed from that of his beloved boyhood memory with the drive to produce more food through agricultural industrialisation. Thelwell would expose the unfortunate consequences of greed, lack of foresight and ignorance.
After a brief survey of his life and career for context, this talk will focus on one of Thelwell’s proudest and most satisfying achievements: his 1971 publication ‘The Effluent Society’, which was re-published this year – most pertinent to our times.
An evening for all.
£10 per person.
To book a place on this talk, please CLICK HERE
Charlie Page / British Wildlife Photography Awards
The British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) is a revered showcase of nature photography in Britain and a crucial reminder of what value our woodlands, wetlands and other ecosystems still hold.
This will be one of the very first showings of the winning images from the 2023 competition, launched in March. This renowned exhibition celebrates British wildlife and wild spaces through a collection of inspirational images, showcasing the best of our natural heritage.
More than 13,000 images were submitted into this year’s competition. Photographers competed in 10 different categories in the adult competition: Animal Behaviour, Animal Portraits, Botanical Britain, Black & White, British Seasons, Coast & Marine, Habitat, Hidden Britain, Urban Wildlife, and Wild Woods. There were 3 age groups in the young competition: 11 and Under, 12-14 years, and 15-17 years.
Each year, the BWPA images are adored in the press (both in print and on TV), toured around the UK in a travelling exhibition, and published in beautiful collection books.
BWPA has a number of key aims:
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Recognise the talents of photographers practising in the UK, whilst highlighting the great wealth and diversity of Britain’s natural history.
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Celebrate British wildlife and wild spaces through a collection of inspirational photographs.
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Showcase the very best of our nature photography to a wide audience and engage all ages with evocative and powerful imagery.
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Encourage discovery, exploration, conservation and enjoyment of our natural heritage.
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Raise awareness about British biodiversity, species, and habitats.
There is no extra cost for this exhibition – entry is included in the admission price to the museum.
Billy Evans-Freke / British Wildlife Photography Awards
Sense of place is important to everyone, whether it is a location, the beings around us, an emotion, time, a memory, or all of the above. In this exhibition, Midlands Textile Forum (MTF) explore what it means to live in the world, take notice of our surroundings and find our place. From inspirational starting points, MTF members have taken individual creative journeys developing process and technique to respond to the theme. This exhibition showcases traditional textile techniques in a contemporary way, from stitching and quilting to lace, knotting, weaving, print, painting on cloth and digital manipulation.
The Midlands Textile Forum is a group of artists (who live and work in central England) and who predominantly use textiles and/or mixed media in their practice. Their aim is to develop individual practice, and support and encourage textile based activity in the region, primarily through exhibitions. Members of the forum come from a wide variety of backgrounds in terms of creative practice and approach. The forum has evolved over the years since its founding in 2007 and actively welcomes new applications.
Meet makers amongst the exhibits on 27th July (Jane Arthur and Janet Gilbert), 1st August (Anna Stanley) and 6th August (Sylvie Millen).
https://www.midlandstextileforum.com/
This exhibition will be held in the Wallsworth Centre. Free entry.
Two plays performed on the front lawn of Nature in Art by Tethered Wits, the premier open -air theatre company in the Cotswolds.
2:30pm Doctor Dolittle
Doctor Dolittle likes animals. In fact, he likes them so much he fills his house with every kind of creature imaginable. And then one day, he figures out how to speak their language!
Tethered Wits bring this beloved story of the extraordinary animal doctor to Nature in Art. Using stunning puppetry, this fun, family-friendly show makes for the perfect day out.
5:30pm The Great Gatsby
Through the eyes of Nick Carraway, we are introduced to the high-fliers (and low-lifes) of glitzy Manhattan. However, when he meets a certain Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, he realises the parties are not always what they seem…
Featuring the music of Cole Porter & George Gershwin live on stage join us for a party to remember. An undisputed gem of American literature, Fitzgerald’s critique of the Jazz Age captures the glamorous façade of the era in style.
Tickets available from www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows
Please bring your own seats!
Doors open an hour before.
Please dress for the weather – waterproofs and umbrellas may be needed!
The annual exhibition of this county group, founded almost 100 years ago, in 1924. The society is still a devoted community made up of enthusiastic individuals who work in a variety of styles and media and enjoy sharing ideas and activities. Monthly studio evenings are held in Nature in Art’s education centre. Meet members every day to find out more. See artist members at work 16th – 20th August.
7pm Doors
7:30pm Finger Buffet
Talk starts just after 8pm
Coinciding with the first week of the British Wildlife Photography Awards (which can be viewed before the talk), this is a great opportunity to hear from a hugely experienced wildlife photographer. Despite having travelled to every corner of the globe, including a photography expedition to West Papua just before this talk, Helen has a particular passion for the wildlife and beauty of the UK. This talk will be prepared especially for Nature in Art drawing together many of her amazing wildlife photography experiences in the British Isles.
An evening for all.
£10 per person.
FULLY BOOKED
One World Imagined is an art collective consisting of five award-winning artists David Skidmore, Christine Dadd, Valerie Briggs, Jess Pritchard and Jordan Price each specialising in depicting the natural world. Working in a variety of mediums, oil, graphite and carbon pencil, coloured pencil, acrylic and watercolour, with subject matter both British and worldwide, on land, sea and air.
Meet exhibiting artists every day:
- Christina Dadd 22nd – 24th August
- Valerie Briggs 25th – 26th August
- David Skidmore 27th – 31st August
- Jess Pritchard 28th – 31st August
- Jordan Price and Valerie Briggs 31st August – 3rd September
David Skidmore:
David works mainly in pencil and acrylic, although enjoys experimenting with most mediums. He aims to produce work that is informative and at times thought provoking. His main focuses are the natural world and the human figure. He contributes work to several organisations to raise money for wildlife and environmental issues.
https://www.davidskidmoreart.co.uk/
Jess Pritchard:
Jess works solely in pencil. From a young age she had a passion for both art and wildlife and began her professional art career seven years ago. Jess is an artist ambassador for Derwent Art, Britain’s largest pencil brand and has also raised thousands of pounds for various wildlife charities.
Christine Dadd:
Christine has a unique style of wildlife painting creating closeness with the subject by focusing on key animal characteristics. She paints mostly in oils on untreated linen. She says: ‘This gives me the texture and feel of the subjects, especially the wildlife from Africa.’ Well travelled, her most recent trip was to Brazil which informs some of her latest works.
Jordan Price:
Jordan’s artist journey began after attending a wildlife exhibition and seeing a pencil drawing that ‘I believed was a photograph’. Her says, ‘I was 19 years old and for the first time I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. To capture the beauty of wildlife that surrounds us in pencil art.’
https://www.jordanpriceart.co.uk/
Valerie Briggs:
Valerie has been drawing and painting in watercolour the flora and fauna of the British Isles for over 4o years. She is especially drawn to the natural and man-made waterways, which provide green corridors for a wildlife population under the constant threat of urbanisation.