The Dame Catherine Arts Summer Exhibition is a charity set up as a fundraiser to help support Dame Catherine Harpur’s School in Ticknall, Derbyshire. The Art Show continues to generate a key source of income for a range of projects at the school and this year will be focussing on raising funds for the development of the old toilet block into a new arts and community space – so please support us!
In 2023…
This, our 30th year, sees us building on the hybrid exhibition format that we developed during Covid, as well as introducing a craft fair and art competition for young and emerging artists.
Exhibition:
Our online show allows more artists to exhibit more work, and to reach more buyers. We’ve shipped work across the UK…as well as to Australia and Hawaii… and welcomed artists from Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Wight, alongside our talented local artist community, to exhibit with us. All submissions are available to view (and buy) online and the majority are also exhibited physically (depending on artist preference) in the show which runs over the August Bank Holiday weekend. We really look forward to welcoming artists and visitors, both old and new friends; as always, the show is un-curated, with amateurs hung alongside professional artists, so it’s a great opportunity to find the perfect piece to hang in that space on your wall!
The show opens with a preview night at 7pm on Saturday 26th August (tickets for this cost £10, purchase here, and include entry, a glass of champagne and canapes, as well as the opportunity to be the first to see the exhibition and purchase your favourite piece before someone else does!) Preview tickets allow you free entry into the show for the whole weekend which is open:
9am-5pm on Sunday 27th & Monday 28th August
Normal entry is £2 per person, children under 16 are free.
Makers Market:
This year we are also hosting a makers fair on Sunday 27th August – if you are interested in a stall, please contact us for more details; if you are a visitor, please take the time to stroll around the fair. We’ve already have a range of talented crafters signed up…the ideal place to find gifts, treats and inspirational pieces for your home.
30-under-30 Emerging Artist Exhibition:
Lastly, to celebrate our thirtieth year, we are launching a ’30-under-30’ competition for young and emerging artists. This is free to enter with prize money awarded to winners in each category: under 18s (up to and including A-level), under 21, and under 30. A shortlist of 10 entries from each category will be exhibited in the physical show, with all available to view online. If you’re interested in entering, or viewing the entries click here to enter.
In previous years
Since 1993 the exhibition has been run by a dedicated team of parents, ex-parents, friends and volunteers. Around 1000 pieces of art are on show and sales of over £21,000 in 2017, £18,500 in 2019 and £16,000 in 2021 make this a unique event in a truly delightful setting.
Kids have free entry and are welcome to join in with the activities and workshops on offer – see our facebook page for more details.
A cafe serving delicious cakes, light lunches and beverages is on site, with indoor and outdoor seating available.
Dogs are welcome on site but are not permitted inside the exhibition for insurance purposes.