Our blog

Our Annual Exhibition this year was held at The Horton Art Centre, Epsom, from 16th to 26th October 2024. This beautiful venue was re-opened in April 2022 as a new and inspiring cultural centre and offered a stunning and historical background for our CA members to exhibit their paintings, 3D artwork, silk scarves, Christmas cards and blank cards.

Paintings were displayed in black frames on white free – standing boards within the Horton chapel space. Our talented members offered a variety of subjects and mediums for display, which included a colourful collage of Tulips by the late Pete West who was a member of the Stoneleigh group, a vibrant array of abstract pictures, animal portraits, flower studies and a delightful entry by the Guildford group of portraits which enhanced the overall look of the exhibition. All the paintings and drawings had their own unique style and told each members’ story in the brush strokes, pencil marks and colours.

On Friday 18th Anne Bland Botham (Trustee and Leader of the Cheam group) and Christine Loizou (Trustee and Leader of the Epsom group) welcomed Steve Bridger the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell and his wife Carol Bridger to the exhibition. They were very impressed with the amount of creative talent from all the groups and were eager to vote for their favourite picture. The Mayor said that from all the charities he visits CA was very special to him and that the standard of work and commitment made from the members was inspirational. Both he and his wife enjoyed a coffee from the café and then spent a considerable time looking at all the displays on the tables as well as the paintings.

There was a steady flow of visitors coming in throughout the week and the added attraction was a coffee or lunch break in the cafe! All the visitors were very eager to vote for their favourite painting, taking quite a time to choose. Children especially were very enthusiastic! The voting box was brimming over with slips of paper by the end of the exhibition and over 260 votes were counted. The painting with the most votes was awarded to Charli Worthington from the Epsom group! Her painting called ‘Autumn Leaves’ depicts a willowy tree shaking off its tiny leaves in an autumn sunset. Charli collects £50 prize money! Congratulations from us all and thank you to everyone who voted!

Throughout the exhibition the ‘welcome desk’ was staffed by volunteers who talked to visitors about Conquest Art and pointed out the different leaflets and posters that they may like to read. Free colourful bookmarks were also on the table for anyone to take and these proved quite popular. Visitors expressed positive and favourable comments about the exhibition both verbally and on the feedback sheet. Many visitors thought the variety of subjects were very creative and the standard of work impressive.

From 95 paintings that were displayed 11 were sold. From sales on the table, which consisted of silk scarves painted by several groups, decorated frames, necklaces and bracelets, books, clay models and Christmas cards etc CA made over £750.

Most importantly the exhibition gave members an opportunity to showcase their work and take pride in their achievements. Well done to all our members for making this Annual Art Exhibition a beautiful success!

Christine Loizou, Trustee and Leader of the Epsom group