Popular West Sussex art show goes online for its pre-Christmas outing

It will be online only at http://www.trevefestival.weebly.com – an important continuation of a popular West Sussex arts tradition.

There will be 17 artists taking part including three generations of the Cunningham family.

New events for the winter event will include:

Design your Own T-Shirt – create your own statement which will be hand printed across the front of the T-shirt using old printers’ metal type. For adults and children and available in time for Christmas.

House Portraits – send a photograph of your home and have it hand drawn in ink and framed to create an original, unique portrait drawing of a special place.

Artist and co-organiser Euan Cunningham – son of the late Bronwen Cunningham, who founded the exhibition, said: “Following on from our summer show now in its 25th year, we have now started doing a winter Christmas show, now in its third year.

“Take the stress out of what is going to be a different Christmas this year and buy online some great innovative, original items.

“Find something a bit different and at the same time support your local artistic community.”

There will be 17 artists showing their work including Sally Cutler, Felix Cunningham, Euan Cunningham, Bronnie Cunningham, Deryn O’Connor, Karen Grimstead, Mick Waterhouse, Mike Topham, Ros Hitchens, Linda Mills, Mig Woodfield, Ian Moore, Rosamund Fowler, Wendy Farley, Sophy White, Jericho and Gill Hunter Nudds. Twelve of the artists taking part live in the area, Euan said.

“The work, all handmade, ranges from ceramics, weaving, print-making, woodcarving, silk scarves, witty wire pictures, paintings, drawings, wood engravings, willow structures, mirrors and jewellery.”

Based at River Common near Petworth, The Treve Art Show marked its quarter century in extraordinary times this summer – by switching online.

Euan said: “2020 is our 25th year and we are determined to carry on.

“We may not be able to celebrate this in our usual way but we are still going ahead online.

“It felt very important to do something this year, particularly considering how many opportunities and events have been cancelled, especially for artists.

“The ability for a lot of artists to make money has been taken away from them. We also wanted there to be something for our regular visitors who have supported us so well in the past.

“It also felt like a positive thing to do in a time of much uncertainty.

“The 25th anniversary is important as it reminds us of how we have changed the way we have done things.

“Originally it was just the three of us, my mum, my partner and I, waiting, hoping for people to come.

“The tradition of the show means a lot as I know it means a lot to our regular visitors. I know it certainly meant a lot to mum.

“Just a few days before my mum died she was very keen that we should carry on with the show.

“To me, just the fact we are putting the show on is a way of honouring her.

“Normally, the show takes place on River Common, in the grounds of my old family home.”