Exhibition Calendar for 2020/2021 and Training programme for all SSS members
Dear Members,
May I first wish you all a happy, healthy and creative 2020.
I have pleasure in informing you of the finalised exhibition calendar for the season 2020/2021 which will feature three major exhibitions: at RHS Wisley, Savill Gardens at the Crown Estate and an extended period at the Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington.
Exhibition Calendar
Wisley 15 August – 20 September Applications: April 2020
Savill 23 September – 3 November Applications: July 2020
Landmark 26 February – 7 March 2021 Applications: Nov 2020
As you can see, the Committee has decided to have an ‘empty’ first half of the year. The reasons for this are:
Firstly, a lack of volunteers. Despite numerous requests, for the last few years, we have been short of willing volunteers to design, manage and support our shows. This has placed too great a burden on the same few people and we have felt unable to continue at the same rate. Taking the time to recruit volunteers, we will once again be able to put on a full calendar of exhibitions in 2021/2022.
Secondly, there is a need for an overhaul of the application and selection processes, the sales procedures, financial system and stewarding duties. We have been working hard at finding new ways to simplify and streamline all these processes and we will be saying goodbye to the cumbersome sales receipts and order forms as we know them.
Training programme
It will be necessary to brief the entire membership before we can implement the new system during an actual exhibition. As you can imagine this will take time, with around 300 members on our books, and it will have to be done in two stages:
Stage 1:
A comprehensive three-hour training that will be organised in two modules:
The first module (approx. two hours) is essential for all members and focuses on the SSS Handbook, organisation, expectations of and ambitions for members, and practicalities like plinth-making, website use and workshops.
The second module (approx. one hour) is essential for exhibiting members but is also open to non-exhibitors and will focus on the specifics of stewarding and the new, simplified sales procedures. There will be hands-on opportunities for you to practice.
This training is free and will take place at venues in Guildford and Dorking, see below.
Stage 2:
A one-hour refresher on the stewarding and sales procedures later in the year, for those exhibiting members who have been selected for an exhibition, beginning with Wisley.
Dates and locations for this training will be announced later.
The above comprehensive training programme in 2 stages aims to provide you with all the necessary knowledge and tools to be the best version of yourself as an exhibiting artist. You will walk away with useful information and the practical knowledge necessary to be a confident steward and professional exhibitor within, and also outside, the SSS exhibitions, and you will have an opportunity to meet your fellow colleagues, exchange ideas and expand your network. We are confident that this will make your lives as stewards very easy indeed with more time to focus on buyers rather than filling in forms!
Once you have attended both training days you will only ever be asked to do the short sales refresher before your first exhibition in each calendar year.
This new training process will now be a condition of membership of the SSS. For exhibiting members, both stages and both modules in stage 1 are obligatory, non-attendance in any stage will mean you cannot exhibit with the SSS. For non-exhibiting members the second module of stage 1 is optional, but you are very welcome to attend.
New members joining during the year will be trained as above.
Training Calendar
The following dates, locations and times have been reserved for you. Sessions will be organised for up to 30 members, on a first-come-first-served basis.
Please book your place online through the following link. Please choose ALL the sessions and ALL the dates you can attend in order of preference and indicate if you will be attending the full module or, if a non-exhibiting member, only the first part.
Do it by 15 February or do it NOW, it is so easy to book at your preferred dates.
For your reference the venues booked are:
Guildford: Guildford Golf Club, Grove Road, Merrow, Guildford. GU1 2HL. 01483-563941
Dorking: North Holmwood Village Hall, Spook Hill, Dorking, RH5 4JP
If you have any questions, please direct them to Angie Doy, our Membership Secretary, membership@surreysculpture.org.uk who will be very happy to help.
Alternative Exhibitions
Prior to the three major exhibitions above, there will be other opportunities for you to exhibit at non-SSS shows.
AppArt - 4 – 19 April, deadline is 31 January 2020, Please download their application forms on www.appartonline.co.uk
Surrey Hills Enterprises have thanked us for the collaboration but will be organising an exhibition themselves this year. We will keep you informed of this.
NT Hatchlands - 2 – 28 June, deadline 29 February. The application process for the Hatchlands outdoor trail exhibition can be found in the latest e-bulletin.
We look forward to seeing you all for training.
Although this year the Committee has decided on a reduced calendar, we are already working to provide you with a new and refreshed calendar card for 2021/22 with more exhibition and volunteering opportunities.
With warm greetings, on behalf of the Committee,
Henriette
January 2020