Aldenham Art Festival 2019
Event organised by Ken Haslar and Richard Wheeler (Thursday 12th - Sunday 15th September)
Last year’s Aldenham Art Festival, ( its third year), was by general acclaim the biggest and best yet. There were more artists and more artworks than ever before. Over 80 artists drawn from a wide area of Herts, Bucks, Beds and North London as well as our local regulars from Aldenham, Radlett, Bushey and Watford entered over 500 artworks, both framed and unframed. The expansion of the browser section gave artists greater opportunities to exhibit their mounted but unframed work, in addition to the three framed pieces allowed per artist. The browsers proved to be popular both with the artists and with the visitors. Sales of artwork nearly doubled in value on last year to nigh on £9k which in addition to revenue from sponsorship, artists entry fees, donations and income from refreshments and sundry items meant that there was a good profit to help support the fabric of the fabulous building it is held in.
Not only was the Festival a financial success but it was an enjoyable weekend in line with the commitment to make the Church a centre for social and cultural activities for all members of the community. Guests included the Worshipful the Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Alan Plancey, at the Preview, Oliver Dowden MP on Friday and various other guests over the weekend. The valuable sponsorship of Aldenham Golf and Country Club was supplemented by additional sponsors, Oliver and Akers Estate Agents, London Colney, and Morris Wealth Management, Radlett. Others have contributed anonymously. The colour brochure was largely financed through the advertisements of local businesses and professional organisations. We thank them all.
The team of volunteers from the church did amazing work at every stage of the operation including the provision of cake, tea, coffee and other refreshments. Others worked tirelessly transporting and erecting the display boards and hanging the paintings. The bell ringers provided a peal of bells to open the Festival on the Preview Night and flowers in the church added to the ambience of the occasion. Stewards provided a warm welcome throughout the weekend. Our Treasurer has been working overtime, it really was a team effort.
Perhaps the greatest debt of all must go to the artists. Numerous comments were made about the quality and variety of the work on display appealing to all tastes making it one of the best art shows in the area.
We look forward to another great show this year and for those who sold work, congratulations. For those who did not sell, stick with us, we are on the way up!
Our thanks and congratulations to all for a fantastic result!
More information on how to enter the next event: Aldenham Art Festival 2020
As mentioned above the event is in Association with Aldenham Golf and Country Club (just across the road from the Church) where you can always enjoy breakfast, lunch or special occasions. If you would like more information about our sponsor, the Aldenham Golf & Country Club you can visit their website at www.aldenhamgolfclub.co.uk
All pictures below are courtesy of Ken Haslar
Aldenham Art Festival 2018
Another successful year!
After the great success of last year’s show this year’s event was staged over the weekend of Thursday 14th - Sunday 16th September in the beautiful setting of Aldenham Church.
With well over 430 paintings both framed and unframed to choose from it was an eye-catching exhibition with some amazing original, contemporary and traditional works of art to browse and buy at affordable prices from £20 - £900.
The event kicked off with the Preview evening with delicious canapés and drinks kindly supplied by Aldenham Golf and Country Club to whom we are enormously grateful. not only for this but also for the massive support they have shown us this and last year. Well over 100 people came to this evening and in the following three days many more came to view the works and to sample the delicious home made cakes and refreshments.
The addition of the new browser racks made a huge difference to the public’s access to them and lots more sales were made of unframed work than before. This will be further expanded next time.
The event kicked off with the Preview evening with delicious canapés and drinks kindly supplied by Aldenham Golf and Country Club to whom we are enormously grateful. not only for this but also for the massive support they have shown us this and last year. Well over 100 people came to this evening and in the following three days many more came to view the works and to sample the delicious home made cakes and refreshments.
In all, 58 pictures were sold and over £5,000 was taken on sales. The commission on this coupled with the entrance donations and refreshment sales meant that over £4,000 was handed over to the church for much needed maintenance of this wonderful medieval building. But it wasn’t just about sales, lots of people came and had an enjoyable couple of hours admiring the pictures, the historic building and enjoying a great social occasion.
Huge thanks go to everyone who helped to put this show on and supported us. Plans are finalised for next year and the 2019 event has all the signs of becoming one of the biggest and finest art shows in this part of the world.
More information on how to enter the next event: Aldenham Art Festival 2019
As mentioned above the event is in Association with Aldenham Golf and Country Club (just across the road from the Church) where you can always enjoy breakfast, lunch or special occasions. If you would like more information about our sponsor, the Aldenham Golf & Country Club you can visit their website at www.aldenhamgolfclub.co.uk
All pictures below are courtesy of Ken Haslar
Aldenham Art Festival 2017
Roaring success for our first festival!
Thank you to everyone who either visited, attended or exhibited at the first Aldenham Art Festival and making it so successful.
It was amazing to see this beautiful 12th century church not only full of people but also full of quality original paintings, collages and other mediums – 209 framed and 215 in ‘browser racks’ made it a massive show. With so many styles, sizes and mediums to choose from the show must be considered amongst the best in the County for lovers of art seeking to fill a space on their walls, and many did so!
The event brought many local residents into the church for the first time who were surprised at this little gem in the heart of the village. It was also a brilliant social occasion for parishioners and local residents.
The event began with a Preview Night on Friday 15 th September with over 180 guests and artists attending; they were treated to Prosecco, wine and soft drinks accompanied by trays of wonderful canapés all with the compliments of Aldenham Golf Club and accompanied by live music from Harpist Lucy Haslar.
The event continued over Saturday 16 th and Sunday 17th , with delicious home-made cakes and refreshments available to all visitors. During the event a pianist played soft light music, at times other musicians and singers accompanied him. One very enthusiastic and talented singer was local resident Julia Romanenkova who sung her native Russian ballads.
Over £3000 was raised for the church and will provide much needed funds to preserve this wonderful building. At the close of the Art Festival thirty-eight paintings were sold raising a total of nearly £4000 plus donations and refreshment money. Pretty good for a first time!
Paul Lancaster, General Manager at Aldenham Golf Club said ‘We were more than happy to supply the refreshments and some sponsorship for the Aldenham Art Festival. It was a good opportunity for us, as new owners of the club, to get more involved in the village and the community.
Plans are made this year and with some improvements in mind 'Aldenham Art' will become a landmark event in the calendars or artists, buyers and visitors alike.
All pictures below are courtesy of Ken Haslar