It’s been a busy few weeks in the Society and December still has much more to offer us all! 

We started the month with our annual Christmas Open Exhibition – an event which this year attracted over 300 artworks, ceramic and sculpture submissions. The curatorial team had a big job to choose which pieces made it onto the walls and we would like to thank everyone who took part and entered work. With the whole gallery hung floor to ceiling, they managed to find a place for 264 artworks!

The first weekend of the exhibition was marked by our Private View event. Many of you ventured out in the wind and rain to join us and made it a wonderful afternoon of mulled wine, mince pies and music. We loved seeing you all and hope you had fun. 

The gallery is open 11-4pm (closed Sunday) for anyone who hasn’t been able to drop in yet and view the exhibition. Our Christmas opening times can be found further down this newsletter.

The date for collection of work shown in the Christmas Open is Monday 2nd January 2023. If your pieces were selected, please make sure you attend the gallery on this day as we close for maintenance work after this. If you are unable to make that date, please let the office know in advance. 

The Society is very pleased to be opening applications for new members in 2023. The pack with information on how to apply can be found here: New Member Application. Please bring your work to the Mariners’ Gallery on Monday 9th January 2023 to be considered – we wish you the best of luck if you choose to apply! 

This month in the Crypt Gallery we have an exhibition of work from Marie Keeling and invited friends, including Peter Giles, Zoe Eaton, Laurent Sykes and Glyn Walton. If you are waiting with anticipation for Marie’s annual tabletop sale then she has dedicated a small area of the Crypt to this already. 

The tabletop sale will begin in the Crypt on the 20th January 2023 – any donations of clothes, shoes, furniture, books or other items will be gratefully received and funds raised go towards work on the Mariners’ Church building. Please speak to Marie Keeling for more information.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!