The Horse in Art 2014

The 35th Society of Equestrian Artists’ Annual Open Exhibition, exhibits work in a diverse range of styles and mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture and original print.

This year’s show promotes the Society’s ‘Working From Life’ programme with a selection of life sketches to view and purchase alongside the main entries, plus demonstrations by artists throughout the week.

The Society was established in 1979 by ten founder members under the Chairmanship of Norman Hoad, a notable equestrian and aviation artist. The other members were John L Baker, Neil Cawthorne, Tom Coates, Gillian Hoare, John King, L J Morris, Raoul Millias, Frank Wootton and the President Sir Terence Cuneo.

Today membership is open to anyone who wishes to support the Society through joining as a Friend. Friends who are artists may apply to be considered for promotion to Associate Members (ASEA), who in turn may become Full Members (SEA) by exhibiting their work with the Society over a number of years. Founder members, or those who have made an outstanding contribution to the Society may be promoted to Honorary Full Member (HSEA). There are over 400 members, many of whom are based overseas.

Since its inception, the Society’s principal exhibition for member’s paintings and sculpture has been the Annual Exhibition held in London. As part of an ongoing renewal process in order to progress the Society as THE centre of excellence for equestrian art, it became an Open Exhibition in 2010 called “The Horse in Art”, welcoming entries from members and non-members alike.

The Society aims to promote the practice of equestrian painting and sculpture and the public appreciation of this art. It runs workshops and lectures around the country, led by Full Members and invited experts. These vary in length from just a day, to the annual week’s residential course in Somerset. There is now an emphasis on encouraging young artists, with a range of new intitaves including the development of a Young Artist’s Bursary to encourage further study of equine art.