The respected annual contemporary art and sculpture trail AppArt, held in Godalming, Surrey, attracts interior designers and art lovers to view and purchase unique artworks in an inspiring Arts and Crafts setting. 

This April marks the silver jubilee of the joyous art celebration that is AppArt. The fact that it has reached this landmark year is testament to the skills and hard work of the organisers, Evelyn and Gwyn Phillips. 

Contemporary art and design for sale

AppArt promotes everything from the traditional to the wacky in art and sculpture, representing a broad range of artists and sculptors from across the South East of England for the two-week event each spring. 

Evelyn is a respected and established interior designer and her trained eye ensures all the artworks selected are of the best quality, with something to suit every taste and interior space. 

Artworks for interior designers and art lovers

AppArt has grown each year and is a magnet for interior designers and individual art lovers, who can view the outdoor sculptures in a tranquil, garden setting and admire the smaller sculptures, drawings and paintings indoors.

All media are represented, including a large collection of paintings in oils, acrylics, watercolour and pen, alongside art glass, textile sculptures and ceramic figures and forms. Outside, there is everything from large, cast sculptures to recycled metal pieces on display. 

This year’s event will be opened by the renowned equestrian sculptor, Nic Fiddian-Green, on Saturday 4th April. He works mainly in bronze, beaten lead and copper. His impressive, giant horse’s head sculpture, ‘Still Waters’, stands at Marble Arch in London. 

The birth of AppArt

The vibrant art event began as a one-week exhibition at King Edward’s School in Witley, Surrey, as part of a visual and performing arts event, the Vivartis Arts Festival. Gwyn worked there and was closely involved with its development.

Surrey Sculpture Society introduced a sculpture trail two years later, by which time it had grown into a three-week event. 

It continued at the school until 2012, when the school decided not to continue with the event and Evelyn and Gwyn took over. The 2012 and 2013 AppArt exhibitions were held in one of the glasshouses at Secrett’s Garden Centre in Milford, Surrey. Then in 2014 it moved to its current home at Prior’s Field School in Godalming. 

Voysey and the Arts and Crafts style

The school provides a fitting backdrop to all the artworks, having been designed by the revered architect, Charles Francis Annesley Voysey, a leading practitioner in the Arts and Crafts Movement. The building was completed in 1900 and the gardens he laid out were planted in a sympathetic, Gertrude Jeykell style by the owners, Julia and Leonard Huxley. Julia opened the building as a Prior’s Field School in 1902.   

Stained glass selected for AppArt

Among the many pieces at AppArt 2020, I’m delighted to say that I will have four free-standing stained glass panels on show. This is the sixth year I have had work selected for the event and it is always worthwhile taking part. The participating artists and sculptors steward at the event, assisting visitors with queries. They also have the opportunity to spend time enjoying the many artworks displayed. Why not plan your own visit this spring? It is lovely to wander round with friends and relatives over the Easter holidays.  

AppArt 2020 details

This year’s 25th anniversary Easter AppArt exhibition takes place from 4-19th April 2020. It is open from 10am – 4pm daily and entry is free. Catalogues are available to purchase from the sales desk. There is easy parking in the school grounds.

Prior’s Field School is in Priorsfield Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2RH.