The Abingdon Artists’ Autumn Exhibition 2023 kicked off with a preview event for friends and family of the participating artists on Monday, October 23rd. The exhibition will be open to the public from Tuesday, 24th to Saturday, October 28th at Christchurch Barn, Northcourt Road (10 am to 4:30 pm).

The Autumn Exhibition features a diverse range of artworks, with many members exhibiting up to three pieces each.

Jonathan Leach, Co-chair of Abingdon Artists, said, ‘We don’t judge what you see. The paintings have been selected by the people themselves. So there’s no committee standing in judgment saying, “You’re you’re good enough. You’re not!” We are a very democratic organisation, and people make their own choices. And I think we look around, you will see the standard is fantastic.’

‘We have about 90 members. It’s thriving, and we are just the tip of the iceberg because when we’re out sketching in the town centre, often other people come up and say “I’m interested. I do a bit of art as well.”‘

Organising an exhibition on this scale requires dedication and teamwork. Jonathon expressed his gratitude to the numerous individuals who contributed to the event’s success.

Visitors to the exhibition can not only admire the diverse artworks on display but also purchase original paintings, cards, and the annual Abingdon Artists Calendar. A raffle featuring a painting of the River Ock, at the paddling area beside Ock Meadow, offers an opportunity to support the group’s endeavours.

Abingdon Artists is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting art and providing a platform for local artists to showcase their work. The group organizes regular exhibitions, workshops,  sketching sessions, and lectures.