Local artwork on display as part of James Ward project

As part of the project to celebrate 250 years since the birth of James Ward RA, local artists have been creating artworks inspired by Ward’s work, in particular the collection held here at Lowewood.

The first of these, Mannamead Art Group’s work, will be displayed until Saturday 7 December. This local group meets in Hoddesdon once a week and welcomes all from beginners to experienced artists. Thirteen artists from this group are displaying their works, mainly drawing inspiration from James Ward’s animal paintings. The paintings include horses and farm animals to one or two landscape drawings. A total of eighteen artworks in a variety of mediums, from watercolours to pencil drawings are being displayed.

Come and have a look at these local artists’ works, displayed alongside our exhibition on James Ward. The museum is open Wednesday – Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturdays 10am – 5pm. Admission is free.

This project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

James Ward: The Greatest Animal Painter of his Time

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of local artist James Ward RA. To celebrate, the museum has opened an exhibition highlighting his life and work, with loans from the Tate and Fitzwilliam Museum. The exhibition opened on 21 September 2019 and is on display until 25 January 2020.

The Moment, 1831, James Ward (1769 – 1859). Tate, London 2019. Photo credit:(C) Tate, London 2019

Ward was born on 23 October 1769 in London, the son of a greengrocer and cider merchant. He left school at a young age, before he could read or write and at the age of nine was the only wage earner in his family, washing bottles for 4 shillings a week.

Drawing came naturally to Ward, and by the age of 12 he was an apprentice mezzotint engraver to one of the best, John Raphael Smith. He was later appointed the painter and mezzotint engraver to the Prince of Wales. Ward chose to pursue his painting career, aspiring to be appointed as a member of the Royal Academy, which he finally achieved in 1811 at the age of 42.

Ward made Cheshunt his home for the last 31 years of his life. He had loved the countryside ever since he was a boy, it was so different from the hustle and bustle of London streets. In July 1855 he suffered a stroke that ended his career and died at Roundcroft Cottage in Cheshunt on 16 November 1859.

Portrait of James Ward, engraved by James Ward, c.1835, after John Jackson (1778 – 1831). Presented by Richard Godgrey 1994. Tate, London 2019. Photo credit: (c) Tate, London, 2019

On display in the museum is a selection of Ward’s works loaned by the Tate and Fitzwilliam Museum, as well as a sketchbook demonstrating the breadth of his work. These compliment the museum’s own collection of Ward’s work, on display in Lowewood’s James Ward Gallery.

The museum is open Wednesday – Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 10am-5pm. Admission is free.

This project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Art Workshops for Adults

Come and take part our art workshops at Lowewood Museum. Each month you will be guided by an experienced local artist in a different art form to learn new skills or improve on existing ones. Have fun, relax, learn something new and experiment with a range of materials in the peaceful setting of Lowewood Museum.

Where: Lowewood Museum, High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BH

Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm

Price: £15

16+ years

Booking essential

Book at https://eppingforestdc.bookinglive.com/ or call 01992 564226 (Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm)

Workshops…

Fabric Printing

Saturday 12 October

A fun relaxed session using leaves and natural forms to make your own creative compositions for cushion covers, bags and T-shirts. Printing fabric will be supplied but you’re very welcome to bring your own items.

Drawing for Beginners

Saturday 16 November

Ever wanted to draw, but not known where to start? Start here!

This relaxed, artist-led session will teach you the basic principles of drawing, giving you the confidence and space to develop skills in your own style.

Printmaking

Saturday 7 December

This two-hour printmaking taster session will be taught by a practicing artist who will take you step-by-step through the linocut print making process. This will be a hands-on creative workshop.

Drawing in Charcoal

Saturday 11 January

Spend a relaxing two hours at Lowewood Museum with one of our in-house artists, learning how to use charcoal to create landscape pictures.

Animation

Saturday 8 February

Develop new skills and have fun. Explore different ways to create your own animation using collage or drawings, and your smart phone. For inspiration we’ll look at key artists in the history of experimental animation. You don’t have to be able to draw to do this; the aim of the session is to build confidence in your creative skills.

Drawing and Painting with Watercolour Pencils

Saturday 7 March

This artist-led workshop will give you a taste of the joys of using watercolour pencils. Learn simple drawing techniques while expanding your colour repertoire beyond the greys and blacks of pencil and ink. This workshop is for anybody who wants to draw more confidently and have fun with colour.