Last year, the new art exhibitions on display within The Walled Gardens at Croome Court generated a lot of interest from visitors. As a result, from Easter 2019 there will be a brand new series of outdoor sculptures and indoor art exhibitions. Five of the seven acres of historic gardens at Croome have been privately owned by Chris and Karen Cronin since they rescued them from ruin in 2000.
The exhibitions will showcase the work of talented and creative artists and provide inspiration for garden and art lovers alike. The first exhibition will run from Friday 19th April until Sunday 9th June 2019, showcasing outdoor sculptures created by artists Ian Marlow and Angela Palmer. Paintings, etchings and stained glass pieces by Frans Wesselman can be viewed inside the Walled Gardens’ visitor centre, along with a range of jewellery and metalwork inspired by the sea by artist Sharon McSwiney. There will be an opportunity to meet the artists on Saturday 20th April, and all exhibits will be available to purchase.
Following the interest with the art installations last year, Karen reveals “we will again be working with more artists as we host another series of exhibitions. During the six months the gardens are open to the public there will be three exhibitions, each one running for seven weeks and each one showcasing the work of four talented artists.”
“We are delighted, and more than a little excited, to be exhibiting the work of renowned sculptor and member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, Ian Marlow, member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, Frans Wesselman, and, in the second exhibition illustrator Joe McLaren, whose clients include Penguin, Faber and Terry Pratchett”.
Each exhibition will be made up of work by two artists and two outdoor sculptors and will include mediums such as fused and stained glass, stainless steel, bronze, silver, ceramics and wood.
As the restoration of the gardens continues, work commenced over the winter months to restore the Tomato House, with plans to progress with the Pineapple House and finally the Mediterranean garden throughout 2019. Visitors will be able to see significant progress in the gardens this year as they follow the developments throughout the seasons.
Chris and Karen look forward to welcoming visitors old and new, for another exciting year for the continuing restoration of The Walled Gardens at Croome Court.
The privately owned Walled Gardens at Croome Court will re-open on Good Friday (19th April) and will be open to visitors every Friday, Saturday, Sunday (and Bank Holiday Monday until the end of September 2019. Opening times are 11am-5pm (last entry 4pm) and tickets (£5 adult / children free). Access to The Walled Gardens is through Croome’s National Trust Visitor Centre where admission tickets can be purchased. If visitors would also like to visit the National Trust parkland and house there is an additional admission charge. The funds raised go towards the ongoing restoration, which was entirely funded by the Cronin family prior to the gardens being open to visitors. More information can be found by visiting www.croomewalledgardens.com.