Local artists celebrate Welwyn centenary with new exhibition – ‘In Our Garden’

In Our Garden

3 April – 16 May 2020

The New Maynard Gallery, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield AL8 6BX

Opening event: 2 April 2020 8 – 9.30pm

Artists from The Forge, Digswell, have created new work in celebration of 100 years of the founding of Welwyn Garden City. The exhibition, called ‘In Our Garden’ responds to the ethos of the garden city movement and its ideals of a better environment to work and live.

Digswell Arts Trust

The Digswell Arts Trust has strong historical links with the garden city. It was formed in 1957 to provide low-cost studio accommodation to enable emerging artists to develop their skills, building on the strong arts and crafts tradition established by the early residents of the city, and believing that the arts are vital for the well-being of people in society.

Developing connections between the artists and the local community was an important part of the remit, particularly through exhibitions of work. Many Digswell Arts Trust fellows have gone on to build international reputations in fine art, sculpture, ceramics and other mediums.

It is therefore fitting that, 63 years later, the current group of artists working from purpose-built studios at The Forge, Digswell are coming together to mark this centenary year and that this exhibition coincides with the 29 April 1920 founding of the city.

There will be an opening event for the public to meet the artists on 2 April between 8 and 9.30pm. Participating artists are Caryl Beach, Jane Bottery, Mary Down, Jonathan Emmerson, Jane Glynn, Suman Gujral, Marian Hall, Declan Hoare, Julia Holt, Sue Jarman, Simon Langsdale, Juliana Loveday, Dave Nelson, Kirke Raava, Sandra Smith, Bob Spriggs and Sally Tyrie.

Print Member at Digswell Arts Trust

It is great news to have learnt I have been accepted as a print member at The Forge Print Studio, Digswell Arts Trust, Hertford Road, Digswell, Herts. AL6 0BU.

The Digswell Arts Trust is an innovative charity that for over sixty years has focused on artists in the early phase of their careers. Through their studios in Letchworth and Welwyn, they provide studios for approximately forty emerging artists, whom they call Fellows. In addition they have print memberships for printmakers. Print membership entitles artists to use the print workshop on a specified/designated day each week. Although print members do not have a studio space they are able to store equipment/materials on site in a lockable cupboard and large plan chest drawer.

But Digswell are not just a studio provider; they are an incubation platform for emerging artists. The first years of attempting to make a living from their art are challenging, and often involve developing a wider set of skills outside of their art practice. In addition, their art practice must also continue to develop. Digswell Fellows and print members experience a collaborative and supporting environment that offers the space to experiment and innovate within a creative community of other Fellows that are developing both their art practice and their wider commercial skills.

The Digswell Arts Trust has a long tradition of artists working in the community, derived from the early vision of our founder, the educationalist Henry Morris, who believed passionately in art for people, and maintained that artists were vital for the well-being of society.