If you are a member and wish the society to carry on in its present form we do need your support! I know that you pay your fee etc., but the Society of Equestrian Artists is more that just fees alone; it tries its best to help all the membership. We need to get ourselves together as a unit, helping each other in our areas as well as supporting the efforts of the executive in all its works, and also encourage new artists to show their work.

Last year was the first time that the Society had two major exhibitions but it also had three workshops, in Devon and East Anglia. and two small regional shows. But all this effort was down to a very small group of our membership. So if you have an idea or wish to help with exhibitions, workshops or groups, etc. we need you NOW! Please do come forward - we are here to help and give support. The Equestrian artist is on the way up - we've turned that corner; we need now to move on to the next level and show ourselves around the country.

James Power.

The Society of Equestrian Artists to Exhibit at the Champions Gallery

• In keeping with its name, The Champions' Gallery viewing restaurant is to house a major exhibition of works by the Society of Equestrian Artists.
  
• The exhibition, which will run throughout all 18 days of racing at the Rowley Mile this season, is the first of its kind to be held at Newmarket, with all work displayed available for purchase.
  
• There will be between 30 and 40 pictures permanently on display in the Champions' Gallery with the main body of work expected to change between the spring and the autumn.
  
• "The 400-seater restaurant has about 40 or 50 metres of wall space so it's helping to decorate the restaurant as well as giving us an opportunity to show some of our works," explains James Power, an executive committee member of the society.
  
• The pictures will predominately be racing-oriented with both abstract and contemporary works on display in a variety of different mediums. Tables in the restaurant will each hold a pamphlet of information on the exhibition giving diners the chance to make purchases.
  
• This will be the first time the Society has exhibited its work on such a scale on the racecourse. It rarely exhibits outside its annual exhibition, held every summer at Christie's in London.
  
• Established in 1979 the Society, which is a registered charity, has around 450 members. Its main objective is to encourage the study of equine art and aims to promote the highest quality in its work.
  
• Full membership can only be gained once an artist has achieved an exceptionally good standard over many years, with only 100 or so members having attained this level.
  
• Many of the Society's artists undertake commissions and between them they cover all elements of the horse world.
  
• The first meeting (of three days) resulting in 7 painting being sold. While it is too soon to say this will become a regular pattern - it is at least indicative of the potential. We would therefore be pleased to hear from more Members who would like to Exhibit.
  

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