Kimpton Art Show, an exhibition and sale of artwork, forms a major feature of the Kimpton May Festival weekend.
Kimpton Art Show takes place in the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, a Grade I listed building situated on a hill overlooking the village with spectacular views across the Mimram Valley to the east of the village. Kimpton Art Show was set up by Kimpton Parish Church Restoration Trust for the purpose of raising funds for the church and the village. Kimpton Art Show has contributed its proceeds, via donation, every year since its inception in 1982.
Kimpton Art Show supports two charities, and in 2024 donated:
A TOTAL SUM of £8,000 to:
Kimpton Parish Church Restoration Trust, Charity No. 289296, and
Kimpton May Festival Trust, Charity No. 1161032.
In 2023 £9,500 was donated.
We would like to thank all our artists, volunteers, sponsors and guests for making this possible.
DATES & TIMES 2025:
Friday 2nd May to Monday 5th May
- OPENING NIGHT: FRIDAY 2nd May: 6 – 9pm ENTRY £7
- SATURDAY 3rd May: 10 – 5pm Weekend Entry £2, children free.
- SUNDAY 4th May: 11 – 5pm
- MONDAY 5th May: 10 – 3pm
Kimpton Art Show brings together over 100 artists. Work ranges from the traditional to the modern. The Show offers an opportunity for new artists to demonstrate their talent as well as for those who already have a well-established reputation to make a very valued return. With works from £20 there is something for everyone’s budget.
- oil, watercolour, pastel and mixed media paintings
- sculptures, ceramics
- photography
- glass and stained glass
- textiles
GIFT VOUCHERS: Kimpton Art Show Gift Vouchers will be available to purchase from November 2024. Perfect as a gift for family and friends. Priced from £10 with an upper limit of £250.
LIVE MUSIC 2024: We are very fortunate to be supported by our very talented KIMPTON MUSICIANS performing informally in the church throughout the weekend, adding atmosphere and a very living experience to the show:
- ACCORDION and VOCAL – Nigel Hyams – Friday 6pm & Sunday 12pm
- VOCAL and GUITAR – Ellie Smith & Tim Randall – Friday 6.40pm & Sunday 1pm
- HARP – Veronika Brazdova – Saturday 11am & Monday 10am
- FLUTE & VIOLIN – Helen McPhun & Mandy Britton – Saturday 1pm & Monday 1pm
- JAZZ VOCALIST – Paul Dowsett – Saturday 2pm & Sunday 2pm
- GUITAR/VOCAL – Steve Warner – Saturday 3pm & Sunday 4pm
- GUITAR/VOCAL – Malcolm Parry – Saturday 4pm
- CHURCH ORGAN and BARITONE – Andy Wright & Keith White – Sunday 11am
- GUITAR/VOCAL – Bill Redway – Sunday 3pm
- THE KIMPTON STRING QUARTET – Monday 12pm
PAYMENT may be made via BACS, Credit and Debit Cards, Cash and Cheque.
GDPR – we retain no personal details from payments.
PARKING: Held over the first weekend in May as part of the Kimpton May Festival, parking in Kimpton requires consideration. Car parking is available at the Parkfield Sports Ground off the Hitchin Road and it is only a short walk to the church. See MAP. Alternatively, some limited parking is available on Hitchin Road adjacent to the Church and on Kimpton High Street. Please avoid driving into Church Lane as this is a cul-de-sac with limited turning space.
DISABILITY ACCESS:
- Church Lane is a cul-de-sac with limited turning space for cars. It is an inclined road.
- Please do not drive up the tree-lined walkway to the Church as it is a dead end.
- The tree-lined walkway to the Church from Church Lane is inclined. However, it is a route that provides the easiest access for wheelchairs.
- Once at the church we have wheelchair ramps and our Stewards will be trained to assist. We also have a wheelchair which can be borrowed.
- Should you require parking as a Blue Badge holder we have some limited space at Church House which stands in the Church grounds. Please feel free to contact us ahead of your visit and we will aim to understand your requirements. However, please note that we are unable to guarantee you a parking place at Church House.
KIMPTON MAY FESTIVAL, a great destination for the 1st weekend in May, was originally set up to provide funds for the restoration of the Church following the collapse of the Dacre Chapel roof. The roof has long since been re-built and although much restoration has taken place, an ongoing programme of work is necessary in order to preserve the most historic building in the village for future generations.
The Art Show Committee includes local artists as well as individuals who contribute their varied skill sets. The Show also depends heavily on the support of the exhibiting artists, our sponsors and other volunteers who join in to help prepare, set up and run the show with ever growing success.
Contact Sue Burns, Chair. 07765097500. contact@kimptonartshow.co.uk
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and SPONSORS
We are indebted to a large number of individuals and particularly acknowledge:
- The Church Wardens
- Our Sponsors: – My Word Communications and Spectrum IT Support
- Kimpton Bench Working Party for putting up and taking down the screens
- The many extra helpers who man the desk, act as stewards, run the bar, perform the music and numerous other task to generally make it all happen
- The Director of Bryn Mawr College Library, Pennsylvania, for permission to use the Claud Lovat Fraser maypole image free of charge for our charitable event. The College owns the original image, as well as the copyright to all of Lovat Fraser’s writings and art work.
To see a copy of the Kimpton Art Show 2024 Catalogue, click here.