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Over the winter months, members of Rugby Artists and Makers Network have been steadily submitting work to local exhibitions, for show, often placed in competition with work from hundreds of other artists. The effort has paid off. Rugby Art Gallery and Museum has this year - so far - shown work by over 50 members of the network across two shows. The fourth exhibition by this group 'Go Fourth!' (Floor One Gallery) and the Rugby Open 23 closed on Saturday 3 February. Fantastic shows and in the Floor One show John Thompson's 'Chair of Many Colours', by John Thompson provided an inviting seat for visitors.
As these two shows closed, three
other local exhibitions opened which also featured Rugby Artists and
Makers at their core. RA&M Network is one of ten groups
submitting work to the biennial Herbert Art Gallery CASE exhibition
in Coventry. A mammoth riotous display of 275 amazing works. There are 15 RA&M network artists with works on display. Huge diversity and
great success as its the group's first time in this show. With one of the
biggest works in the space, Rugby-based IJE's abstract has massive
impact (pictured with Clare Pentlow, the artist of some of the
smallest work). At the private view on the 1st
February, Aphrodite Kodis received a Commendation and prize for one
of her paintings. Her work was also shown on Midlands Today the
morning after.
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On the same evening, across in Leamington Spa, Rugby artists received further Commendations for work in the Leamington Open. Steve Davies, the Alex-based printmaker, had one for work based on a life drawing class at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum. He also has a further work in this show, featuring Cemex! Tom Jennings, a well known wood carver, was also Commended for his amazing work.
In the black and white gallery at the amazing LTB Showrooms in Coventry three local artists had work in the GrazRutsZine Expo (an edgy atmospheric show curated by graduate students Evelynn Wenman and Victoria Duffield-Harding).
Co-owners of Art at the Alex Chris Pegler and Steve Davies managed to see all five shows within five hours (including catching all three private views). As Chris comments: ' From Feb 2021 (did not exisit) to Feb 2024 (having work on display in five local galleries), is quite a trajectory for Rugby artists and makers and this network. Its brilliant to see so much success for local artists. Many of these artists show regularly at Art at the Alex through the year and will return, some with solo shows, when we re-open on 16th February. However, seeing their work in big galleries is really special thrill'.
Rugby Open (25 Nov - 3rd
Feb)
https://www.ragm.co.uk/en/open23
Go Fourth! (23rd
Jan - 3rd
Feb)
https://rugbyartistsandmakers.com/go-fourth-exhibition-2024
CASE at Herbert Art Gallery (2nd
Feb - 3rd
March)
https://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/1778/case-coventry-art-societies-exhibition
Graz Ruts Expo at LTB (1st
- 29th
Feb)
https://www.instagram.com/grasrutszine
Leamington Open (2nd Feb - 12th May) https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms/info/24/exhibitions