Rye Art Gallery (RAG) are showcasing their new exhibition, ‘Artist in Focus’, which will continue till January 2025. It is an exhibit of many well-known and new artists interspersed with pieces from the permanent collection. Artists in Focus are the curators’ choices for the duration, hoping that Friends of RAG and other visitors will enjoy these interesting, selected artists being shown throughout the gallery spaces which includes work by Melvyn Evans, Polly Horner, Keith Purser, Louis Turpin, Emma Turpin and Dominic Zwemmer.
The curators wanted to specifically highlight abstract landscapes alongside works of a more traditional winter theme, including mixed media, prints and illustrations. It was felt that the painting of the month should be Albert Goodwin’s (1845-1932) Rye, A Winter’s Tale, 1920 watercolour from the permanent collection. It was donated as part of a bequest by Eileen M Easton (who died 1965) who was a good friend of Mary E Stormont (who died 1962), both creating the gallery.
Born in Maidstone, Kent, Goodwin started his landscape painting career at a very young age. At the age of 15, Goodwin exhibited his first painting at the Royal Academy, the gprestigious London gallery. This was followed in 1876 with his entry into the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS). He travelled extensively throughout his life and painted well into his eighties, producing over 800 works, some landscapes from far away countries as well as closer, painted in and around East Sussex, including Rye.
The opening hours are from 11am-5pm, closed Tuesday, Sunday 11am-4pm.
The Christmas and New Year openings are: Christmas Eve 11am-3pm and Friday December 27 and Saturday 28 December 11am-5pm. The gallery will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Tuesday December 31 and Wednesday January 1.
Business will resume as normal on Thursday 2nd January 2025 at 11am.
The Rye Art Gallery, its team and trustees, wishes everyone an enjoyable festive time and a Happy New Year. The contact is 01797 222433 or ryeartgallery.co.uk
Image Credits: Rye Art Gallery , Rye art gallery .