Find out about arts events taking place around Elmbridge.
2023 Elmbridge Literary Competition
The 2022-23 Elmbridge Literary Competition is now closed. Winning, Highly Commended & Commended Entries can be read on the R C Sherriff Trust website. The 2023-2024 Literary Competition will launch in September 2023.
Elmbridge Moving Art
Elmbridge Moving Art is a bi-annual community arts exhibition run by the council in partnership with Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre and The R C Sherriff Trust. The exhibition is now closed and will be back in 2024.
For further information on the work of the 81 local artists who exhibited their work in 2023-2023, visit the Elmbridge Moving Art exhibition website or the online exhibition developed in partnership with Elmbridge Museum.
Walton Court public art project
Crest Nicholson are redeveloping the former Birdseye Headquarters in Walton to create 375 homes, comprising a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms. Works are due to be completed during 2023. As part of the development, we are working with the developer to complete three separate, but linked projects to improve the public realm and recognise the historic significance of the site:
War Memorial
In 2000, a memorial was established for Flight Sergeant Charles Sydney RAF who was killed on 27 September 1940. This was removed for safe keeping while the development is ongoing. We are working with voluntary groups from local history societies, the RAF and the family of Charles Sydney to produce a new war memorial to be in keeping with the new development. This project is progressing well and a new memorial, history trail is due to be installed ahead of Remembrance Day this year.
Menhirs
A series of menhirs (large human-made upright standing stones) designed by Alan Collins were originally arranged around the rectangular pools in the central courtyard. These have been stored and are being reintroduced as part of the landscaping of the new development.
Public art
A standalone of sculpture depicting rising birds by the artist John McCarthy once stood next to the pool at the sites entrance. Unfortunately this was stolen. Developer Crest Nicholson are funding a replacement for the sculpture.
Artist callout for New Walton Court public art commission:
As part of the new development, we are commissioning a new original outdoor public art installation to be located near the main entrance of the new ‘Walton Court’ development. The style should be contemporary to complement the new development’s architecture but also reflect the heritage of the site including the war memorial and menhir statues mentioned above. View the full artist brief. Artist should express their interest by 14 July 2023. Shortlisted artists will be notified on 7 August.
Nothing About Us Without Us exhibition
This project is a celebration of the lives of 20 people in our community who have been most isolated throughout the Covid pandemic. As part of the project, they have given a series of interviews and had their portraits painted by local artist Erika Flowers. All sitters will keep their portrait but have agreed for them to be featured in an online exhibition.
View the online exhibition
This project was managed by ‘It’s Not Your Birthday But’ in partnership with Elmbridge Museum and funded by Community Foundation for Surrey and The National Lottery Community Fund.
Royston Pike Lectures 2022-2023
The series is running at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre from Wednesday 14 September 2022 to Wednesday 19 April 2023. Read the full programme:
Royston Pike Lecture Series
More information
To find out about other arts projects and events taking place in Elmbridge, contact arts@elmbridge.gov.uk or follow the Elmbridge Arts Forum on Facebook.
Find out more about what's on in Elmbridge by checking the Arts Focus published by the R C Sherriff Trust or the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre programme.
