The Art & Craft Exhibition
2024's show was a very successful exhibition, with the most
exhibitors and exhibits than in any previous years, since it started over 50
years ago. The quality of the entries was most impressive and this was
commented on by many visitors.
There were 246 entries across the full spectrum of
classes, in art, craft, photography and new media, from 132 exhibitors, both
adult and young people. Also, there were 12 adult exhibitors who had never
taken part before.
It was enjoyed by many visitors over the weekend, as
were the refreshments which were served on both days.
On the stage, the three local schools, namely
Whitchurch Pre-School, the Whitchurch Primary School and the Oratory
Preparatory School, had set up impressive and colourful displays of school
work by their students.
A new award called The Founder's Award was presented
for the first time. It has been given by the family of the founder of the
very first exhibition back in 1969. It will be awarded to the exhibit which
the judging panel decide is the 'Best in Show'. The full list of the 2024
prize winners can be seen
here.
Also, a History of the Cups & Awards that have been won
since the first Exhibition at which cups were awarded in 1972 can be seen
here.
Next Exhibition 2026 - IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE
The organising team for this Annual Exhibition is making a radical change to the timing of this much-loved show. For as long as I can remember, this village event has been held in November, on the weekend following the Remembrance weekend.We have consulted The Whitchurch Society, the Primary School and other interested parties, about moving it away from the busy period in the lead up to Christmas. It has been agreed that the new date will be in the early spring, after the half-term break and when there are not so many conflicting events happening.
So, we are very pleased to announce that the next Exhibition will be held on the weekend of 28th February - 1st March 2026. This means of course that you will all have an extra three months in which to finish your entries - no excuses!!
Apart from this date change, it will be in the same format in the Whitchurch Village Hall in Manor Road, and open for all current residents and ex-residents of Whitchurch-on-Thames, Whitchurch Hill and Goring Heath to enter.
More information about the categories and the Joyce Voysey theme will be available by the end of October on the WoTArts website (via the village website), on Facebook and in this magazine.
Meanwhile, save the dates in your 2026 diaries and get busy now with your... brushes, paints, camera, needles, glue, varnish, stamps, inks, wool, chisels, pliers, cottons, clay, pens, paper and lovely ideas!
Sally Woolhouse
sally@wotarts.co.uk