Group photo: Gemma Girvan (THG Gallery Manager and Curator), Alan Cotton MBE (Founder and Honorary Academician, South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts), Councillor Nick Hookway (East Devon District Council's Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Sport and Tourism), John Nettles OBE (President of South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts)
Left to right: Gemma Girvan (THG Gallery Manager and Curator), Alan Cotton MBE (Founder and Honorary Academician, South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts), Councillor Nick Hookway (East Devon District Council's Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Sport and Tourism), John Nettles OBE (President of South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts)

THG welcomed over 100 artists and art lovers to two exhibition openings at the Honiton-based gallery.

John Nettles OBE, President of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts and also of Bergerac and Midsomer Murders fame, opened the new South West Academy exhibition.

The South West Academy exhibition features key new works by members of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts. It includes original paintings, sculpture, photography and limited edition prints. All of the work is for sale. 

In THG's upstairs gallery, The Glow of Hours: Rebecca Partridge in Devon brings together a collection of paintings by Rebecca Partridge including a new series of small works made in response to the local Devon landscape. The works in this exhibition shift between acutely observed oil paintings of wild flowers at night, found in the local landscape, to large watercolours of skies, built of dozens of thin washes on raw canvas. 

A broad programme of workshops and art activities accompanies these exhibitions from Easter Holiday workshops including animation and egg decorating to schools workshops and also watercolour and sculpture workshops led by South West Academy members.

Phil Creek, Trustee of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts, said,

"Having been the last completed exhibition before the pandemic closed the gallery's doors in 2020, we are delighted to return to the wonderful Thelma Hulbert Gallery in 2024."

"Showing a wide range of painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and some sculpture too, we hope to be able to offer something for almost every aesthetic taste. The Academy is also offering a linked programme of public, group and school-based workshops and talks by our Academicians aiming to share our experience, expertise and joy of the visual arts here in East Devon."

Councillor Nick Hookway, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Sport, Leisure and Tourism, said,

"This collaboration between the South West Academy and THG shows the strength and depth of the creative community within East Devon. Saturday's event was most enjoyable and a great success on many levels. With a wide range of subject material to see, this exhibition is well worth a visit over the next few months."

"My congratulations and thanks to all those who have participated and contributed to the success of this exhibition." 

South West Academy Exhibition (main gallery)
The Glow of Hours: Rebecca Partridge in Devon (upstairs gallery)
Until 11 May. Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 - 5. Free, donations welcome.

Easter Holiday Workshops
2 April, 11-3. Performance Workshop with Tom Bailey. £5.
4 April, 11-12.30 Animation Workshop, £3 and 1-3 Drop in Animation Workshop, free
11 April,11-1 / 1.30-3.30. Egg painting workshop. £10.
14 April, 2-4. Free LGBTQIA+ workshop for young writers
To book, visit: workshops and events (thelmahulbert.com). Free places for 15-25 year olds.