Horsham Art – Exploring the Vibrant Arts Scene in this Picturesque Town

Step into the enchanting world of Horsham art. Horsham is a picturesque town where creativity blossoms and art comes alive. Nestled in the heart of West Sussex, Horsham is not only known for its stunning landscapes and historic architecture but also for its vibrant arts scene that captivates locals and visitors alike.

With its rich artistic heritage and a thriving community of talented individuals, Horsham is a hub for creativity in all its forms. From traditional paintings and sculptures to contemporary installations and immersive performances, the town’s art scene offers a diverse range of experiences for art enthusiasts of every kind.

Explore the hidden galleries tucked away in charming streets, where you’ll discover masterpieces by local and international artists. Engage with the local arts community through workshops, exhibitions, and festivals that celebrate the town’s creativity and inspire you to delve deeper into your own artistic journey.

Immerse yourself in the artistic secrets of Horsham and let the vibrant colors, textures, and stories ignite your imagination. Discover the unique blend of heritage and modern-day expression that makes the town a haven for artists and art lovers alike.

Historical significance of art in Horsham

Horsham is a town with a rich and diverse history of art, dating back to the Middle Ages. Some of the aspects of art in Horsham that are historically significant are:

• The de Braose monument in St Mary’s Church, which is a 13th-century stone effigy of William de Braose, a powerful Norman lord who built Horsham Castle. The monument is one of the oldest and finest examples of medieval sculpture in Sussex, and shows the influence of French Gothic art on English art
• The Horsham Museum and Art Gallery, which was founded in 1893 and houses a collection of local history, archaeology, natural history, and art. The art collection includes paintings, prints, drawings, and ceramics by artists such as John Constable, J.M.W. Turner, William Blake, and Eric Ravilious. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art by local and national artists
• The Horsham Public Art Trail, which was launched in 2003 and features artworks by various artists, located in different parts of the town. The artworks range from sculptures, murals, mosaics, and installations, and reflect the themes of nature, heritage, and community. The trail aims to enhance the public space and encourage people to explore and appreciate the town’s artistic and cultural identity

Art galleries and museums in Horsham

There are several art galleries and museums in Horsham that you can visit to enjoy and learn more about the local Horsham art and history. Here are some of the best ones:

• Horsham Museum & Art Gallery: This is a local museum dedicated to local history and heritage, with a collection of over 26,000 objects, including paintings, prints, drawings, ceramics, fossils, flints, costumes, clocks, and gingerbread. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions of contemporary art by local and national artists. You can also explore the museum’s garden, which features a variety of plants and sculptures.
• Cloud Gallery Fine Art – Horsham: This is a contemporary art gallery that showcases original paintings, limited edition prints, and sculptures by some of the UK’s leading artists, such as JJ Adams, Kerry Darlington, Paul Oz, and Craig Davison. The gallery also offers a range of services, such as framing, art consultancy, and home approval.
• Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens: This is a historic estate that features a Grade I listed garden, a rare colony of wallabies, a dollhouse museum, and a vineyard. The estate also has an art gallery that exhibits work by local and international artists, such as David Shepherd, Robert E Fuller, and Pollyanna Pickering.
• The Gallery at Parham House & Gardens: This is a gallery that is located within the grounds of Parham House, a 16th-century Elizabethan manor house. The gallery displays work by contemporary artists, such as John Piper, Julian Trevelyan, and Mary Fedden, as well as antique prints and maps. The gallery also hosts workshops and talks by the artists and curators.

Local artists and their contributions to the arts scene

Horsham has a vibrant and diverse community of artists who have contributed significantly to the town’s arts scene. One of the most notable groups of artists in Horsham is the Horsham Artists.

Horsham Artists – Makers and Creators is a group of artists and makers based in and around the Horsham area of West Sussex. The group comprises sculptors, painters, printmakers, jewellery designers, ceramicists, up-cyclers, and textile artists, who share a passion for the work they create and learning from one another’s practice and experience. The group organises several events throughout the year, such as the Horsham Contemporary Art Fair in October and the Art Trail in June, which showcase the group’s diverse collection of art and provide opportunities for the public to engage with the artists and their work .

The group’s website provides more information about the group’s history, vision, members, events, and gallery. You can also follow the group on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay updated on their latest news and activities. If you are interested in joining the group, you can contact them through their website or social media platforms.

The Horsham Artists – Makers and Creators group is a great example of how art can bring people together and enrich the community.

Events and festivals showcasing Horsham’s artistic talent

There are many art events in Horsham that showcase the town’s artistic talent and culture. Some of the most popular and upcoming ones are:

• The Horsham Artists Contemporary Art Fair : This is a creative and vibrant annual event at which local artists and makers come together under one roof to exhibit and sell their work. As well as a vibrant display of art and craft, the fair is an opportunity to attend a programme of interesting and informative talks by some of the participating artists over the weekend.
• Horsham Artists Art Trail : This wonderful annual summer celebration of creativity takes place over two weekends in June. The Horsham Artists’ Art Trail will see artists and makers across the Horsham District open their doors to the public this June. Following the trail will lead you to discover many artists and makers in several different locations across the Horsham District.
  These range from artists’ homes, studios and retail spaces in central Horsham, to venues further afield, in Mannings Heath and Henfield to the south and Coolham and Storrington to the west. Visitors can expect to find something unique and distinctive in every venue. The range of creativity on show is hugely diverse, from original paintings, prints and textiles, to jewellery, sculpture, upcycled crafts and more. A colourful brochure and map to help visitors plan their visits on the Horsham Artists Art Trail, will be distributed to venues across the district as well as being available online where you can view and easily download a copy.

These are some of the art events in Horsham that showcase the town’s artistic talent and culture. Other Sussex art trails of interest.

Art workshops and classes for aspiring artists

If you are an aspiring artist in Horsham, you have many options to learn and improve your skills in various art forms. There are several art workshops and classes in Horsham that cater to different levels, interests, and styles of art. Here are some of the best ones that I found:

• Sue O’Mara Art: This is a website that offers a variety of beginners art classes in Horsham, taught by Sue O’Mara, a professional artist and teacher. The classes range from one day to six weeks, and cover topics such as colour theory, composition, perspective, and more. You can also request bespoke art courses to focus on specific skills, such as faces, clouds, leaves, sea, and grasses.

These are some of the art workshops and classes in Horsham that I think you might enjoy and benefit from.

Artistic initiatives and community projects in Horsham

Horsham is a town with a rich and diverse history of art, dating back to the Middle Ages. There are many artistic initiatives and community projects in Horsham that aim to promote and celebrate the town’s artistic talent and culture. Some of the examples are:

• The Horsham Town Community Partnership: This is a group of volunteers who work together to identify and implement projects that make Horsham a better place to live, work, and visit. The group focuses on four areas: housing, public facilities, natural environment, and dementia friendly Horsham; opportunity for all, tourism, local economy, education and skills, facilities and amenities; better health for all, general health, community transport, hospitals, older people, young people and children; and staying and feeling safe, fear of crime, crime and disorder, road safety, crime prevention. The group also welcomes new members and volunteers who are interested in joining their projects or suggesting new ideas.
• The Council grants for community projects: This is a scheme that offers limited funding to not-for-profit organisations that support and deliver against the District Plan priorities. The scheme has various grant categories, such as the Community Grant, the Big Help Out Grant, the Individual Community Grant, the Strategic grants, the Cost of Living Support Fund, the Community Climate Fund, and the Section 106 funding. The scheme aims to help organisations that provide services and activities that benefit the community and the environment.
• The Arts Society Horsham: This is a society that provides opportunities for people to discover and enjoy the arts. The society organises monthly lectures by expert speakers on a wide range of topics, such as art history, architecture, music, literature, and more. The society also arranges visits to places of artistic and cultural interest, such as museums, galleries, historic houses, and gardens. The society also supports local young artists and art education through various projects and awards.

These are some of the artistic initiatives and community projects in Horsham.

Support for the arts in Horsham – grants and funding opportunities

There are several grants and funding opportunities available for supporting the arts in Horsham. Some of the sources that I found are:

• Council grants for community projects: This is a scheme that offers limited funding to not-for-profit organisations that support and deliver against the District Plan priorities. The scheme has various grant categories, such as the Community Grant, the Big Help Out Grant, the Individual Community Grant, the Strategic grants, the Cost of Living Support Fund, the Community Climate Fund, and the Section 106 funding. The scheme aims to help organisations that provide services and activities that benefit the community and the environment.
• Latest Arts, Culture & Heritage Funding Grants: This is a website that provides a list of the latest funding grant opportunities for arts, culture and heritage, which includes everything from creative arts to cultural heritage projects. The website also offers funding services and resources for finding and applying for grants.
• UK arts funding, grants and development opportunities: Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture in England. It supports a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries, from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections.

These are some of the sources that I think you might find useful for supporting the arts in Horsham.

Conclusion – Horsham’s thriving arts scene and its impact on the community

Horsham is a town with a thriving arts scene and a strong sense of community. The town has a rich and diverse history of art, dating back to the Middle Ages, and continues to support and celebrate its local artists and makers. The town offers many opportunities for people to discover and enjoy the arts, such as art workshops and classes, art events and festivals, art galleries and museums, and public art trails. The town also has many artistic initiatives and community projects that aim to enhance the public space and the quality of life for its residents and visitors. The town also has several grants and funding opportunities available for supporting the arts and culture in the region.

Horsham arts have a positive impact on the community, as they foster creativity, learning, and expression, as well as social cohesion, inclusion, and diversity. The arts also contribute to the local economy, tourism, and environment, as they attract visitors, generate income, and raise awareness. Horsham arts reflect the town’s identity and heritage, as well as its vision and aspirations for the future.

Horsham is a town that values and celebrates the arts, and I hope you have enjoyed learning more about its thriving arts scene and its impact on the community.