40th and Final Annual Inkberrow Exhibition of JH Watercolours
This is a special as it’s the 40th one!
Before resigning his post after 25 years of art teaching; in Wales, in Malawi and as Head of Art at a Redditch High School, John held his first local art exhibition in Inkberrow School Hall, hanging his paintings on the wall-bars and some borrowed boards, squeezing the show into a long weekend.
A couple of years later, the Old Shop, a little gallery on the Village Green opened, so that became the venue for what became John’s annual Inkberrow exhibition for about ten years, with the show extending to a full week. In ’86 John became a professional full-time artist.
When the village bakery was converted into offices. It was suggested that John open a gallery as an attractive show piece at the front. Thinking this could be an opportunity for his sons Tom and David to nurture their budding artistic careers, ‘The Hidden Gallery’ came into being. With a family show of artworks it became a popular little shop and was quite a success. But, shop-hours didn’t suit the boys, with one moving to Leicester, the other to Hong Kong! John didn’t like his painting-time being interrupted by customers, nor did it work for his wife Stella, with her skills in design and display, to spend all days there. So with mixed feelings the year-long project came to an end.
By lucky coincidence, a lovely new Bowls Pavilion had just been completed in the village. When a tentative enquiry was made, the Inkberrow Bowlers were happy to fit a week-long exhibition into their quiet winter schedule and the last whole week in November has been marked ‘EXHIBITION’ in their diaries ever since.
Villagers who might never set foot in a gallery feel comfortable in the informal surroundings. Friends and visitors from near and far travel, not only to view the paintings, but for what has become an annual reunion. Many customers have become friends, many friends not missing a single year!
We welcome passers-by who chance upon an unexpected excuse for a break in their journey – the kettle is usually on! Aspiring artists come in, hoping to see John at work, to ask questions about his technique, the paints and materials he uses to create his famously atmospheric watercolours.
Although John is calling this his ’40th and Final Inkberrow Exhibition’ he has no intention to stop painting – just having a re-think! He looks forward to relaxing into more flexible arrangements to fit around other interests like golf, family and travel. Always looking for new places to sketch, he is happy to accept commissions, which often take him to pastures new, finding previously undiscovered angles on familiar views. He will continue to supply several UK galleries, plus one in Dubai, also other events and group exhibitions from time to time through the year.
With pandemic restrictions in full force, last November’s planned 40th village exhibition had to be cancelled so now, with a studio bulging with fresh paintings: village views, landscapes, wildlife et al John is busy framing, ready for what promises to be a wonderful show – don’t miss it!
Open Saturday 20th to Friday 26th November
10.00 am – 5.00 pm at the Bowls Pavilion, Sands Road, Inkberrow WR7 4HJ.
Free parking at the Village Hall, free admission and a warm welcome.