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January Events for Volunteers

Jan 12th, 17:29

Staff and Volunteer Meeting 27th January
Join us at the end of the month for our quarterly whole team gathering so we can share our ten year plan, some work that’s been going on around target audiences, a sneak peek at the exhibition to follow the Flower Fairies (intriguingly title ‘Scented Visions’) and to deepen your knowledge on Mary Watts as we continue to celebrate her and all she brought to Compton in the year of the 175th anniversary of her birthday!

9:30 Teas, coffees
9:45 Meeting Opens
11.10 Meeting Closes
11.15 – 12.45 Tea and Tour – Celebrating Mary Watts

In line with the strategic aim to celebrate Mary and place her firmly at the centre of the narrative at Watts Gallery Artists Village it would be brilliant if all of our volunteers could deepen their knowledge of her story (and then feel confident in sharing her story with our visitors) by taking the shiny new tour the celebrates her life and work.

Mini Mondays – Object Talks – New for 2025!
We are trialling a new 15 minute talk starting this week, whereby any volunteer or member of staff can talk about their favourite object.
In January we are featuring the following:

Monday 6: Lady Holland in the Gallery
Monday 13:Gold drawings De Morgan Gallery
Monday 20: Orpheus and Eurydice in the Historic Gallery
Monday 27: Found Drowned Main Gallery

Come along and see one and if there is a picture or object that inspires you anywhere on site let Celia know if you would like to talk about it in February or March or even April!
If you want to come along and listen to the talks, they will be at 11.30 every Monday. Or if you would like to do one later in the year contact celia.hodges@wattsgallery.org.uk

Sketch Club
We will be kicking off next week (Tuesday 14th Jan) with our first Sketch Club of the year at the slightly later time of 11am (still meeting in the Old Kiln). Join us in the Old Kiln for a hot drink, followed by an hour and a half of sketching on site. We are planning on taking our inspiration from In Print: Natures Realm this time around. Let us know if you plan to come by emailing volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.
The next sketch club meet will be Tuesday 11th Feb (back to 10am start).

Category:Volunteer Calendar Dates

December Events and Benefits

Dec 1st 2024, 14:41

Friday 6th December, 10.30 – Walking Tour of the Artists Village (meet at the Visitor Centre)
Explore the site with an expert guide and find out more about the Arts and Crafts architecture of the Gallery. Discover the story of the founders George and Mary Watts and find out how the Artists Village came to be. Join to deepen your knowledge or just for a refresher – every tour is different! Wrap up warm as much of the tour is outside. Email volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk or sign up on the sheets in the kitchen.

Tuesday 10th December 10-midday – Sketch Club (meet in the Old Kiln)
Once a month we meet up for a coffee followed by time to be creative. This time we are having a hot drink in the Old Kiln and then taking our sketch books up to a twinkly and festive Limnerslease. All levels welcome, just bring something to draw with and something to draw on! Email volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk or sign up on the sheets in the kitchen.

Tuesday 10th December, 6-8pm - Volunteers’ Christmas Party
Join us on Tuesday 10th December from 6-8pm in the Tea Shop for mulled wine, canapes and mince pies. There will be a quiz sheet (with a prize at the end!) and a festive raffle with prizes for all! Please rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk by 2 December. (See invitation attached).

Tuesday 17th December, 10am-midday – Volunteers’ Printing Workshop in the Clore
Join for a festive morning of trying your hand at printing your own wrapping paper and cards (material provided). We’ll have hot drinks, mince pies and some festive music to get into the spirit of things! Email volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk or sign up on the sheets in the kitchen.

Volunteer Christmas Discount:
We are going to be offering a single use voucher for 30% off in the shop as a gesture of thanks to all our volunteers as part of the winter benefits update. This replaces the shopping evening we have had previously (this way you can shop at a time that best suits you). You can collect your voucher from the Duty Manager when you get your card stamped for the new season. If you are not sure if you have done the full 12 hours required to receive your benefits do ask the Duty Manager and they will let you know.

Category:WGAV News and Events

November Volunteer Events

Oct 27th 2024, 15:19

• Thursday 7th November, Chapel Tour 11am (Meet at the lych gate) please RSVP to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk
• Tuesday 12th November, Volunteer Sketch Club, 10am-midday. please RSVP to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk

Category:Volunteer Calendar Dates

September Events for Volunteers

Aug 26th 2024, 17:26

Monday 2nd September – Edo Pop Tour
Join knowledgeable guide Alan Freeland for a free tour of the Edo Pop exhibition, meeting at 10.30am outside the gallery entrance, the tour will last around an hour. Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.

Tuesday 10th September - Sketch Club – Ink Printing
Come along for a morning of art on the second Tuesday of every month – this week meet at the Clore Learning Studio where we will be doing so ink printing inspired by the Edopop Exhibition. There will be a small charge of £2 to cover the cost of materials – please let us know in advance if you would like to join RSVP volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk

Volunteer Tour Tuesday 24th September - Limnerslease Tour and Coffee at Bench
10.30-11.30 Limnerslease Tour. Coffee at Bench 1 11.30-12.30

Saturday 28 September – Fairy Doorway Pottery workshop
2 – 4pm Foyle Pottery Studio
Join Lenie Van Dooren, one of our volunteer ceramicists, to help create some miniature fairy doorways. We will hide these around the woodlands for children to find during our Flower Fairies exhibition season. Please RSVP if you would like to attend at volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk

Category:Volunteer Calendar Dates

Events for August

Aug 5th 2024, 14:39

Family Day Parking Helpers Required!
Could you be free on Tuesday 6th, 13th or 20th August to point visitors in the right direction outside for a couple of hours in the morning? From 11.30 – 12.30 or 12.30 – 1.30? If you could be a hero in hi-viz please email us on volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk to let us know!

Dulwich Trip Weds 14th August
Thank you to all those who expressed an interest in coming on the trip to the Dulwich Gallery next week on Wednesday. We have now contacted those who have a place on the bus, but if you would like to make your own travel arrangements you are still welcome to join the group. Just let us know by Monday next week (12th) so we can make sure the Dulwich know how many timed tickets to put aside for us.

Sketch Group. *CHANGE OF DATE* was Tuesday 13 August – now Monday 12th August
In August we will be holding Sketch Club on the Monday not the Tuesday. (We are having one of our Family days on the Tuesday and its likely to be very busy on site). Join us for a morning of sketching in the gallery grounds. We meet in the Old Kiln at 10am for a coffee then move off to draw at our chosen spot. Hopefully if the weather is kind, we can get some easels out on the galley lawn for the August meet. The group is very informal, and all abilities are welcome, just bring yourself, a sketch book, and something to draw with! Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.

Monday 19 August – Walking Tour for Staff and Volunteers. Join one of our expert guides on a tour around the site to discover more about each of the buildings and how they came to be. The tour will take place 10.30 until midday. This tour is an outdoor walking tour so please wear comfy shoes and dress for the weather. Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk

September 2nd – Edo Pop Tour
Join knowledgeable guide Alan Freeland for a free tour of the Edo Pop exhibition, meeting at 10.30am outside the gallery entrance, the tour will last around an hour.
Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.

Category:Volunteer Calendar Dates

Volunteer Events for July and August

Jul 16th 2024, 13:37

Tuesday 30th July - Staff and Volunteer Meeting - The next Staff and Volunteer Meeting will be in the Clore Learning Studio on Tuesday 30th July. The meeting starts at ten, tea and coffee available from 9:45. Come along to hear the latest updates and to give us your thoughts and feedback. Do you have any questions or topics you would like to talk about? Email us on volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.

Staff and Volunteer Meeting Agenda
Alistair Burtenshaw to Open and Welcome
Laura MacCulloch - Flower Fairies – (via teams)
Alistair Burtenshaw – Welcome and round up/ looking forward
Olivia Parker – Vision Mission and Values
Guest Speaker: Sarah Hardy – De Morgan Update
Gwen Hughes – Contemporary Gallery
Stephanie O’Neill-Winbow– Pottery workshops / summer programme
Claire Griffin – Project Updates
11.25 AOB / Questions

Tuesday 13 August – Sketch Group. Join us for a morning of sketching in the gallery grounds. We meet in the Old Kiln at 10am for a coffee then move off to draw at our chosen spot. Hopefully if the weather is kind we can get some easels out on the galley lawn for the August meet. The group is very informal, and all abilities are welcome, just bring yourself, a sketch book, and something to draw with! Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.

Wednesday 14 August - Volunteers’ Trip!
You’re invited to come on a visit to Dulwich Picture Gallery on Wednesday 14 August. It will be a reciprocal visit so that we can share our knowledge of our exhibitions, as they also have a Japanese Print exhibition: Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking
We will travel by minibus, leaving Watts at 9.30 and returning approx. 5pm. The trip is free, refreshments can be purchased from their Café. RSVP to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk by this time next week (Tuesday 23rd) and if we get more than 14 responses we will draw names out of a hat for the 14 minibus places. If you apply but don’t get a spot you are welcome to make your own travel arrangements and meet us there, just let us know so we can give numbers to Dulwich.

Monday 19 August – Walking Tour for Staff and Volunteers. Join one of our expert guides on a tour around the site to discover more about each of the buildings and how they came to be. The tour will take place 10.30 until midday. This tour is an outdoor walking tour so please wear comfy shoes and dress for the weather. Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk

Category:WGAV News and Events

Weekly update 1 July

Jul 1st 2024, 17:12

Ewbanks Valuation Day
This Saturday we’re hosting Ewbanks Auctioneers in the Old Kiln for a valuation day – bring your treasured items for a free valuation from the experts! If you have a couple of hours to spare to help with parking on what might be a busy day, please let us know on volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.
https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/events/ewbanks-valuation-day

Summer Holidays and School Visits
With the Summer Holidays around the corner I thought I’d send a recap on our holiday offer which includes three family days as well as some lovely pottery tater sessions for all ages: Summer holidays | Watts Gallery and Artists' Village. Until the holidays we are looking forward to hosting a mixture of school groups on our regular school visit days of Wednesday and Thursdays.

A Fond Farewell
Wonderful volunteer Liz Sanders did her last shift on Thursday as she will be moving away. We are so grateful to Liz for her time and commitment over her past year of volunteering and wish her all the very best in her next chapter.

Edo Pop in the Spectator
Enjoy this piece by journalist Laura Gascoigne in The Spectator talking about Edo Pop and Yoshida (at Dulwich Picture Gallery): The art of Japanese woodblock printing | The Spectator

And finally – it seems strange to be mentioning Autumn when Summer is only just kicking off but our new schedule of Autmn workshops and tours are now on sale – check out what’s on offer here: What's on | Watts Gallery and Artists' Village


Category:Volunteer Bulletins

Volunteer Week!

May 27th 2024, 12:16

National Volunteers week, 3 – 9 June – Bring a Buddy!
To celebrate this week – we’d like to offer you the chance to Bring your Buddy to Watts to volunteer alongside of you, during your shift at both the Gallery and at Limnerslease!
Whether it’s a friend or a relative, this is their chance to see you in action and introduce them to the world of stewarding here.

Should they love the shift so much – we can let them have information about joining the team, but primarily it’s a chance for you to share your interest and passion for the place. Only one buddy per volunteer per shift – but feel free to bring different friends on different days!!

If your diaries don’t coincide we are also offering free entrance to gallery on
Friday 7 June and Sunday 9 June – if people come along and talk to us about Volunteering Opportunities here at Watts.
If you have time before or after your shift here on those days or would be happy to stand and chat about volunteering for a few hours please let us know, it would be great to have a presence.

Category:WGAV News and Events

New Volunteer Events for May and June

May 7th 2024, 15:18

Tuesday 14th May: Sketch Club and Silk Route Talk
The next sketch club will be taking place on Tuesday 14th May (we are back to the second Tuesday of the month from now on). This time we will meet in the exhibition at 10am for some sketching (all skill levels welcome, just bring something to draw on and a pencil!)
Then you’re invited to move to the Old Kiln at 11.30am where volunteer Alan Freeland has kindly offered to give a talk on Edo Pop and the Silk Route, a talk which was recently very well received by the Friends and members. The talk will end at about 1pm. Hot drinks and pastries provided.
If you just want to sketch, or just want to come to the talk, that’s fine too! Just sign up on the sheets in the kitchen or email volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.


Friday 24th May : 10am-11am tour of Limnerslease / 11am-midday tea, coffee and cake at Bench

You’re invited to join one of our expert guides for a tour of the home of the Wattses. Discover the Grade II listed Arts & Crafts home of George and Mary Watts. Learn more about the history of the building and look at the rich symbolism of the ceiling designed by Mary Watts. You will also hear about the artistic and literary guests who visited Limnerslease.
After the tour join for a cup of coffee and slice of cake amongst the trees at Bench.
Everyone is welcome to join for coffee and a chat, you don’t have to have attended the tour first.

Monday 3rd June: Watts Gallery Artists’ Village - A Talk for Volunteers / 1:30- 2:30 / Old Kiln

We offer a number of talks to external groups to learn more about the Wattses and their works. One of our guides has offered to give the first of these talk to any volunteers who would like to join. Come along to the Old Kiln for a comprehensive talk about the George Frederic and Mary Watts in Compton: Their home and studios at Limnerslease, the Compton Potters Art Guild, Mary’s Mortuary Chapel and the Watts Gallery. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.
If you are part of a group which might like a speaker to come out and give a talk on Watts Gallery Artists Village then talk to Celia or email her on celia.hodges@wattsgallery.org.uk

Summer Celebration - Tuesday 11th June – save the date! (invitation to follow)




Category:Volunteer Calendar Dates

This months events!

Mar 31st 2024, 12:14


120th Anniversary Party – Monday 1st April
Come along this bank holiday Monday at celebrate the 120th anniversary of the opening of Watts Gallery. There will be a jazz band, glasses of prosecco and a special display of historic pictures of the gallery. Why not tie in a visit with taking a shift in the gallery? More information here: https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/events/120th-anniversary-party



Volunteers’ Sketch Club *April change of date*
The next sketch club will be on 15th April (not the second Tuesday) to tie in with the Spring Picnic. Meet at 10am on Limnerslease lawn for sketching a view of Limnerslease or some spring flowers, then enjoy a talk from Chris on spring in the gardens at 11:30, and stay for a picnic and hot drinks. All abilities welcome! Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk


Spring Sakura Picnic
Monday 15th April 11.30am-1:30pm
Join us to celebrate the Sakura (cherry blossom) and the advent of spring in the Japanese tradition of Hanami (the custom of picnicking under the blossom) to tie
in with the Edo Pop exhibition. We will begin with a talk about the gardens in Spring from Chris Sharples, followed by a picnic on Limnerslease Lawn.
We can also raise a glass (or cup of coffee) in a slightly belated celebration of the 120th anniversary of Watts Gallery opening to the public (April 1st 1904)
Bring your own picnic and a blanket or picnic chair. Hot drinks provided. Email volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk

Next Volunteers Tour, Thursday 18th April
Join us for a walking tour of the Artists Village. A guide will show you around the key buildings on site and tell you more about their history. Meet at 10.30am at the Visitor Centre. This tour is an outdoor tour so please dress for the weather. Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.

Volunteer Meeting: Monday 22nd April 9:45am-11:30am, The Clore
The next Quarterly Staff and Volunteer Meeting will be on Monday 22nd April, join for the latest news from across the departments, to raise questions and participate in a discussion around volunteer recruitment. If you have any questions you would like covered please send them in advance to volunteers@wattsrota.co.uk.

De Morgan Tour for Volunteers and Staff - Friday 26th April 11am-midday
Join one of our DeMorgan guides to hear more about this fascinating couple and their works we have on display. Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.
(There will be another running on Thursday

Category:Volunteer Bulletins

This months events!

Mar 31st 2024, 12:14


120th Anniversary Party – Monday 1st April
Come along this bank holiday Monday at celebrate the 120th anniversary of the opening of Watts Gallery. There will be a jazz band, glasses of prosecco and a special display of historic pictures of the gallery. Why not tie in a visit with taking a shift in the gallery? More information here: https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/events/120th-anniversary-party



Volunteers’ Sketch Club *April change of date*
The next sketch club will be on 15th April (not the second Tuesday) to tie in with the Spring Picnic. Meet at 10am on Limnerslease lawn for sketching a view of Limnerslease or some spring flowers, then enjoy a talk from Chris on spring in the gardens at 11:30, and stay for a picnic and hot drinks. All abilities welcome! Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk


Spring Sakura Picnic
Monday 15th April 11.30am-1:30pm
Join us to celebrate the Sakura (cherry blossom) and the advent of spring in the Japanese tradition of Hanami (the custom of picnicking under the blossom) to tie
in with the Edo Pop exhibition. We will begin with a talk about the gardens in Spring from Chris Sharples, followed by a picnic on Limnerslease Lawn.
We can also raise a glass (or cup of coffee) in a slightly belated celebration of the 120th anniversary of Watts Gallery opening to the public (April 1st 1904)
Bring your own picnic and a blanket or picnic chair. Hot drinks provided. Email volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk

Next Volunteers Tour, Thursday 18th April
Join us for a walking tour of the Artists Village. A guide will show you around the key buildings on site and tell you more about their history. Meet at 10.30am at the Visitor Centre. This tour is an outdoor tour so please dress for the weather. Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.

Volunteer Meeting: Monday 22nd April 9:45am-11:30am, The Clore
The next Quarterly Staff and Volunteer Meeting will be on Monday 22nd April, join for the latest news from across the departments, to raise questions and participate in a discussion around volunteer recruitment. If you have any questions you would like covered please send them in advance to volunteers@wattsrota.co.uk.

De Morgan Tour for Volunteers and Staff - Friday 26th April 11am-midday
Join one of our DeMorgan guides to hear more about this fascinating couple and their works we have on display. Rsvp to volunteers@wattsgallery.org.uk.
(There will be another running on Thursday

Category:Volunteer Bulletins

Stock Take Helpers Required

Mar 10th 2024, 16:52

Tuesday 12 March
If you are great with numbers and can help us with the stock take in the Visitor Centre and see all the goodies behind the scenes please email Celia.Hodges@wattsgallery.org.uk directly! Lots of refreshments available!
Thanks all!

Category:Volunteer Bulletins

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