After an enforced eighteen-month layoff because of the Covid pandemic AppArt is in the final stages of planning and preparing for their 25th year of organising art exhibitions. With nearly 300 artists taking part and 750 artworks indoors and outside it promises to be worth all that time waiting for it.
The first two sculptures have been installed at Prior’s Field School already in advance of approximately another 150 artworks that will be placed in the Gertrude Jekyll inspired gardens at the school. “Contemplations on Lockdown” by Jonathan Hateley is a beautifully sensitive piece that is covered by words and sayings that have become familiar during the pandemic. It is bound to attract lots of attention. “Wind ball” by Andrew Lee stands upright on the 
school’s front banking and is an ingenious construction of small foil pieces that oscillate in the wind. Andrew is hoping to install an even bigger kinetic sculpture “Shoal” over the diminutive pond in the Rose garden.
The indoor exhibition will be an eclectic mix of different art mediums and styles with something to interest everyone. Paintings in oil, acrylic and watercolours will be the bedrock of the exhibition and artists represented included Jamel Akib, Roger Dellar, Christine Thompson, Maureen Davies and Charles Bone. Jamel is this year’s guest artist and his distinctive style of painting is immediately recognisable. His sense of movement and brush strokes are clearly seen in “Baltimore Oriel” which has been featured on all of our publicity. Roger Dellar is a prolific artist, often working en plein and he works and teaches with many groups including the Wapping Group. Christine Thompson is attracted to views of the South Downs and 
the Suffolk coastline, and this year has explored a majestic tree through the different seasons. Maureen Davies hales from the New Forest and her dappled light scenes of the waterways of that area, abound with colour and reflections. Charles Bone is exhibiting with us for the first time and he has a national reputation as a superb watercolourist. Scenes from Dartmoor, Provence and the ruins at Waverley Abbey will be his contribution.
Glass art will feature both indoors and outdoors and there will be some impressive work from Sami El Dahshan, Adam Aaronson, Joe Szabo, Juliet Derwent, Julie Noles and Linda Banks. All their work will show off the wonderful colour combinations that can be created in blown and cast glass.
Textile art includes quirky sculptures by Naomi Beevers that utilise everyday objects in a clever way. 
Katrin Eagle transforms felt into colourful landscapes and floral works. Photographers featuring include Peter Searight with a stark black and white landscape “Road to nowhere,” a cheeky “Changing of the Guards” by Sue Roche and some charming equine studies of Iceland including “Sentry” by Cary’s Jones.
We are blessed with a wide range of ceramics including beautifully glazed Nguni cattle by Christine Suzman, delicately crafted portraits of dogs by Clare Pavey, organic structures by Ben Nicholas and Terri Smart. By contrast Allan Wallis always achieves a sense of fun in his outdoor sculptures and “Lucky” illustrates this. Raku fired abstract ceramics are provided by Gaynor Wilson and some patterned geometric black pots by Su Rogers. Jane Ogden Swift has produced some stunning ceramics including her “Perspective” series and “Metamorphoses.”
One of the most intricate ceramic sculptures has been designed by Belinda Cave and all the creatures in the song” I know and old lady who swallowed a fly” are cleverly combined in an impressive and amusing work that will catch the eye of adults and children alike.
Sculptures are the dominant art form that pervades the indoor exhibition and the sculpture trail. Members of the Surrey Sculpture Society have supported AppArt for many years. All mediums are on display including monumental wooden sculptures by Friedel Buecking. Scrap metal is cleverly used to produce Giant Samurai, Stags and Angels by Gilbert Whyman. Stained glass and metal are combined by Joe Szabo into various forms including an imposing work called “Icarus.” Icarus IV is also the title of one of several stunning classical sculptures created by Nicola Godden. Dawn Conn was winner of one of the series in last year’s BBC 1 “Home is where the art is” and we are delighted to show “Mr Fox and “Diving into the Ocean of Life”. There are so many accomplished sculptors taking part that it is impossible to mention them all. You will have to come and see for yourself.
The Exhibition and Sculpture trail is open every day from 10am to 4pm from Saturday 10th to Sunday 25th July at Prior’s Field School Godalming. GU7 2RH.
Admission is free.
It is advisable to book tickets for the Opening Day. They can be obtained from Eventbrite at: https://appartopening.eventbrite.co.uk
Numbers will be restricted in the Indoor Exhibition
Masks will need to be worn and social distancing maintained.
There will be no restrictions outside, but visitors are requested to maintain social distancing.
Further information can be found at:
https://www.appartonline.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/AppArtSurrey
https://www.appartonline.co.uk/shop/