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welcome
Dear Readers,
It is with great pleasure and in anticipation of a special year that I write today.
2019 is the year that the SSS is celebrating "25 years of creativity" and we are very proud of that. In this day and age it is not easy to run a society entirely with volunteers but we have managed to do that whilst growing from 14 founder members into a thriving sculpture community of around 300 members to date - reason to celebrate!
Issue 6 of Limited Edition makes a great start - exploring our history through interviews with and write-ups by four of our founder members, including Crispin Rayner, the creative force behind it all.
The Society was founded in 1994 to create a framework for sculptors to support each other, with three aims in mind:
• organising group exhibitions for all members,
emerging or professional
• education and exchange of ideas
• promoting sculpture to the public
I am proud to say that these are still our driving force as evidenced by our exhibition calendar; lecture programme; workshops and studio visits; social media activities and social events.
In this issue we also look back at the last exhibition of 2018 - our fourth at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington - a show that epitomises all the Society’s aims rolled into one spectacular sculpture event. Please take a look at the compilation video of the opening night that shows you, amongst other things, the prize-giving ceremony for the Society’s annual award to emerging sculptors from the Art Academy, London.
Our sincere thanks go out to many of our members who contributed free demonstrations and workshops for visitors, to make this exhibition very special.
For our 25th anniversary celebrations we have planned a wonderful exhibition at a new venue - Hatchlands Park, National Trust, West Clandon from 18 June to 14 July. The show will feature a sculpture trail in a varied landscape, through a formal garden, a sweeping lawn, a wild flower meadow and an area with beautiful old trees.
We will also erect a marquee to house indoor sculptures, which will be complimented by some 2D work and 3D wall hangings. We are also delighted to announce that some of our founder members will be showing with us once again. A show not to be missed!
Please refer to the calendar on page 18 for further details of our exhibitions. We are also hoping to create a celebratory event involving the public building of a sculpture later this year. Negotiations around place and time are still ongoing but will be announced as soon as possible. I can only say that it is going to be exciting!
May I end by alerting you to our YouTube Channel where you will find our educational videos. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or become a Friend of the Society for free and be kept informed of all our exciting events this year, every year. Please go to our website:
where you will find more information.
In honour of our founding members I would like to end with a quote:
"Every artist was first an amateur."
R.W. Emerson
Happy reading,
Henriette van der Does
Chair
Detail of Beginnings by Henriette van der Does