This week, the Haslemere Museum will once again be filled with artwork created by local people as Haslemere Art Society opens its annual exhibition. Running from 9 to 19 September (with a sneak preview on the evening of 9 September), the exhibition is a chance for local artists to show their work in one of Haslemere’s most important cultural spaces, continuing a tradition that started 132 years ago in 1894.

We caught up with two of the committee members – Sonya Vine and Marty Farrer-Williams (from Gallery Thirteen) to find out more about the upcoming exhibition as well as hearing more about what the society has planned over the coming months.

Haslemere Art Society Annual Exhibition

All Society members are welcome to exhibit and the result is a wonderfully eclectic mix of different styles, subjects and media. For visitors, it’s a fantastic opportunity to see just how much artistic talent exists locally – and, in many cases, to purchase an original piece of art too.

This year, artists hand their work in on Monday 7 September, ready for a small team to hang and display in advance of the opening night on Wednesday 9th. This preview evening is open to all – there is no need for a formal invite or a ticket – so please do just turn up. It’s a great opportunity to chat to the artists themselves and hear more about what inspired their work.

So much more than an annual exhibition

Whilst this exhibition may be the Society’s most visible event, membership of the Haslemere Arts Society brings plenty of benefits. Being a member provides access to a busy programme of events. This includes formal workshops and artist demonstrations. But it also includes much more informal and sociable opportunities to paint, sketch and exchange ideas such as the regular café sketching sessions on the third Thursday of every month at the Lion’s Den. If you were in town on Saturday, you may also have seen their Plein-Air painting session taking place.

In October, there is a visit to the studio of local artist, Wendy Richards. Coming up in November, they have their extremely popular ‘Three Painters Painting’ event. This is a chance to watch three very different artists paint, whilst you enjoy a glass of wine and chat.  In December, there are Christmas drinks. And in the New Year, members can look forward to a workshop with Alison Orchard as well as a life drawing class with Jo Shepherd. Not only that, there is a floral painting workshop with Rachel Redfern, a demo by Robbie Murdoch and a bluebell workshop with Kirsty McNay who specialises in collage in May. Events are held in various venues around the town, including the Museum, Hammer Hall and the Town Hall.

Not only that. On the second Wednesday of every month, there is a get together so that like-minded artists can catch up, chat and share ideas. And on Tuesdays during the Spring and Autumn, a group meet up at the Haslemere Museum to get creative in the company of others.

The Society currently has around 80-90 members but they would love more people to join them. It’s very much a case of the more the merrier. Whether you just enjoy dabbling in arts or are a professional artist, all are very welcome. If you simply enjoy art as a hobby, or if you do this full-time, there is definitely something there for you.

With a relatively new team at the helm, there are plenty of new ideas also taking shape. These include a monthly ‘Creative Tea’ on the second Wednesday of the month. This is where people can bring along something they have been stuck on and ask fellow members for suggestions. Anyone who paints will probably recognise the problem – the picture has reached the stage where something isn’t quite right but you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. Sometimes, another pair of eyes is all that is needed. It’s clear that it’s exactly this sort of supportive and sociable environment that the Society hopes to encourage.

And, exciting plans are afoot for a local art trail too. The idea would be to create a simple map linking some of the places where art and craft are already being produced and displayed locally - from the Haslemere Museum to local galleries such as Gallery Thirteen and Clarenden Fine Art to studios and creative businesses elsewhere in the town. The intention is that Haslemere can become a true creative destination, bringing people into the town.

Becoming a member of the Haslemere Art Society

At just £30, annual membership of the Haslemere Art Society is incredibly good value. Members receive reduced workshop prices and can attend artist demonstrations free of charge. But perhaps the biggest benefit is less tangible. Joining an art society gives people a reason to make time for creativity. It connects beginners with experienced artists. It provides deadlines, inspiration and encouragement. And it offers the chance to meet other people who share the same interest.

If you’re even vaguely interested in finding out more, do reach out to them. The preview evening on Wednesday 9 September (6 pm – 8 pm) is a great opportunity to chat to current members to find out more. Or you can, of course, get more information via their website.

Like so many clubs, societies and charities, Haslemere Art Society relies heavily on volunteers. Its committee is small but there is already a strong group of people willing to roll up their sleeves and help. For example, the talented artist Alison Hunt does much to help the Society with membership enquiries and with the exhibition itself. Similarly, there is Eric Anstee who fills the role of Treasurer. Community organisations don't survive simply because people pay a membership subscription. They survive because someone puts out the chairs, creates the poster, books the hall, hangs the exhibition, organises the speaker, manages the finances and answers the emails.

This is very much the case with the Haslemere Art Society. And if you join and want to get involved at a deeper level, they would, of course, welcome extra pairs of hands.

Come and see for yourself

Want to find out more? Then the best place to start is, of course, this month’s exhibition. Whether you are interested in joining the Society, are looking for an original piece of local art, or simply fancy spending half an hour seeing what local artists have created, do go along.

Behind every painting hanging on the wall is someone who made the time to create it.

Haslemere Art Society Annual Exhibition
9–19 September 2026 (10 am until 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday)
Haslemere Museum

Opening Night: Wednesday 9 September 6 pm – 8 pm

To find out more about Haslemere Art Society, its membership, workshops and forthcoming events, follow the Society on social media or look out for its new events programme launching this September.

Instagram: @haslemereartsociety

Facebook: @HAShaslemereartsociety