Artists from Lindfield will be among the exhibitors at an art exhibition at King Edward Hall on 17th June, between 10am and 4pm. More than 20 professional and amateur artists will be showcasing their work at the exhibition, a stand-alone event for Lindfield Arts Festival (LAF). They include organiser Hilary Kennett, who has run the event for several years, together with Maggie Lloyd. Professional artist Hilary will be showing her abstract seascapes, inspired by her annual visits to Cornwall. Another artist, Wendy Wren, who first exhibited with LAF in 2019, is returning after being inspired by fellow artists and by encouraging feedback from the public.

“I am pleased to be back, showing my new contemporary work of flora and forna, using the colours and contrasts in a contemporary style,” said Wendy, who has recently become chair of Burgess Hill Artists, helping and encouraging local artists to exhibit their work. Some of the Burgess Hill Artists will also be exhibiting in Lindfield. Another exhibitor is Lindfield resident Chris Jarvest who took up plein air painting after he retired and belongs to a small group of artists painting the Kent countryside and coast. “Since moving to Lindfield I have exhibited and sold work in a local gallery and have joined the Brighton Painting Group which meets once a month to paint the wonderful Sussex countryside and villages,” he said. “I have painted views from the South Downs, Brighton, Cuckfield , Balcombe viaduct and the pond in Lindfield and enjoy the challenge of painting plein air with the constantly changing light, weather and tide,” he added. Fellow Lindfield resident Claire Gill moved to the village at the beginning of lockdown and, while social distancing made life difficult, she enjoyed the opportunity to explore the area and discover nature on her daily walks. “Up to this point, my artwork had been largely inspired by the coast, but living here and being surrounded by green has inspired me to explore landscape,” she said. “This is not an easy thing to do with digital photomontage as the process involves cutting out details from many different original photographs and combining them together to create an entirely new scene,” she added. “I am excited by this new direction in my work and look forward to taking part in the Lindfield Arts Festival. I have wanted to be part of the local art scene since moving here and am really chuffed to have the opportunity to exhibit with the LAF this year.” Visitors to the exhibition can meet, Hilary, Wendy, Chris and Claire along with the other artists, and enjoy a chat over a cup of tea and a slice of cake on Saturday 17th June.