Coventry and Warwickshire artists have banded together to show what talented individuals in the region can achieve as part of a free exhibition which launched at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum this week.
More than 250 paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textile work and other creations are on display at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum from February 2 until March 3 as part of the Coventry Art Societies Exhibition (CASE).
The exhibition, thought to be the largest collection of Coventry and Warwickshire artists’ work ever in the Herbert, is organised by members from 10 local art societies and art groups, with the selection of work from more than 400 entries also decided by members.
Previously known as the Coventry Arts Consortium, it aims to celebrate local creative talent, allowing artists to display their work in the renowned city centre gallery. It will be the first time the event has taken place since 2019 after several cancelations due to the pandemic.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Society of Artists, a core contributor of CASE, dates back to 1912. Its members helped to lobby and raise funds for the creation in 1960 of the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum so locally-based artists could show their work.
Awards are given for ‘favourite’ works, chosen by the selection committee, the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Jaswant Singh Birdi, and by visitors to the exhibition.
Painter and author Susan K. Moore is chair of CASE and has been involved in the exhibition for more than 20 years.
She said: “It’s crucial to give our incredible artists the opportunity to display their work in such a wonderful gallery. The quality of work will be extremely high, and visitors will have the opportunity to purchase a truly individual piece of art.
“Shows scheduled in 2020 and then during the delayed City of Culture year were cancelled due to the pandemic, which was a huge shame, and we can’t wait to be back at the Herbert to show what the region has to offer.
“Everyone at the gallery has been extremely supportive in bringing this exhibition to life after five years. The curators always do an incredible job to make the gallery spaces look fantastic – and it will be all the more impressive that the works featured have all been made by Coventry and Warwickshire artists.”
Marguerite Nugent, Director of Culture at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, said: “CASE is always an excellent exhibition and we are extremely pleased to be bringing it back to the Herbert.
“Showcasing the creative talent on our doorstep is vital for both emerging and established artists to work together to put on a very varied and high-quality exhibition.”
For more information visit www.theherbert.org/whats-on/1778/case-coventry-art-societies-exhibition