This spring The Friends of Holland Park once gain turn the Orangery at the heart of the park into an art gallery.
For more than forty years, Friends who are artists and artists who become Friends have come together to show and sell their artwork. The colourful presentation of works by more than 80 predominantly local artists ranges from greeting cards and small prints to large paintings, from pieces of jewellery to ceramics and sculpture.
A jury led by curator and artist Gordon French award cash prizes for artistic excellence in several categories as well as for work that best expresses the Spirit of Holland Park. Visitors are able to support The Friends of Holland Park through buying a work from the exhibition, or by entering the raffle for one of the tempting prizes donated by local businesses.
Every year one artist is offered a dedicated feature wall for a more extensive presentation. This year The Friends invited Gordon French to provide a mini-retrospective of his own creative practice to thank him and his family for organising the art exhibition for the past 12 years.
The concept of holding an art show at the heart of Holland Park was introduced by Christopher Wood and the late Sir Hugh Casson, renowned architect and former President of the Royal Academy, during their respective tenures as Chairman and President of the Friends of Holland Park.
Working in close liaison with the local borough and park staff, The Friends of Holland Park is a local community group dedicated to the preservation, protection and improvement of Holland Park as a place of historic and ecological interest and beauty.
The exhibition is sponsored by The Ilchester Estates, which is fitting as the Ilchester family were the last private owners of Holland House.