This summer sees a change in the popular county-wide art membership organisation, Hertfordshire Visual Arts Forum (HVAF), with a new Chairperson taking the reins to steer this 300 plus membership group into the future.
This year we say goodbye to Hillary Taylor, who stood down as Chair after 4 years in which she transformed Herts Visual Arts (HVA) into the connected active community it is today. Hillary handed over the vision of the organisation and it’s day-to-day business to Sally Taylor who comes from both a business and creative background, and who has been a Member for 5 years. In her first year Sally joined the Organising Group, and was elected Vice Chair last year. As Chair, Sally will start with a focus on developing the membership, the core of the organisation. Her vision is to build “a community where Members matter to each other, where there is a feeling of belonging”. Sally continues, “Hillary has shaped HVAF to a vibrant, modern and flexible organisation ready for whatever the future brings. Thank you Hillary for your dedication, your work, and your guidance”.
A Chartered Engineer with a strong creative background, Hillary was a Member for many years before becoming Vice Chair in 2016, then Chair in 2017. In stepping down, Hillary says, “I came into the role of Chair with the clear intention to stay just a short while before handing over to new leadership. I’m honoured to have been trusted with steering our wonderful art community over these past four years. Most recently, in navigating the challenges of 2020, I’m delighted that our members have embraced the opportunities, connections and potential that 2020 brought to our door”. She adds, “It’s been a genuine pleasure to work with Sally as my Vice Chair over the past year. I have every confidence that her stewardship will continue to take Herts Visual Arts forward, and I look forward to her leadership”.
HVAF will continue to organise exciting events for the membership to take part in including the Big Art Fair, Open Studios and many more held throughout the year.
Back after a break last year, our popular Big Art Fair will once again be part of the Hitchin Festival and will be held in Hitchin’s Town Hall, a big and bright venue with space for over 50 artists and their work; with many have already booked to be part of our colourful and vibrant exhibition over the weekend of 16th to 18th July.
Our flagship event, Open Studios, takes place over 3 weeks in September/October. Herts Open Studios connects our Members with art-lovers, providing a unique opportunity for inspiration, discovery, and a chance to purchase direct from the artist. Launched over 30 years ago, it’s a popular and well-established part of the Hertfordshire annual art calendar.
Our events are funded by the participating artists, commercial advertising, and other sponsorship where available. This year we have both in-person and virtual options, with everyone able to expand their digital skills and market reach by taking full advantage of the Forum’s website and online marketing.
www.hvaf.org.uk ‘More creativity, more fun, more buzz, more laughter in our lives’
About
Herts Visual Arts Forum is the largest county-wide volunteer run organisation for amateur and professional artists and makers in Hertfordshire. An annual programme includes Members’ meetings, exhibitions, Art Showcases, the Big Art Fair and Herts Open Studios.
Many join simply to take part in Open Studios each year – but there is so much more to the excellent value annual membership (currently just £45 per year)*. Registration for Open Studios and some other events is not included in the cost of membership.
*Benefits of annual membership include a Gallery on the HVAF website, social media promotion across HVAF platforms and a PRIVATE Facebook group to connect with other members. There’s also access to opportunities and a full annual programme of meetings and events, just for members. Newsletters, including our new Quarterly News ‘magazine’, contain news, opportunities and exhibitions across Hertfordshire, as well as hints, tips and articles on Open Studios, marketing and more. Members can also promote their workshops, classes, exhibitions and publications and contribute to the Newsletter itself.
Non-members can sign up to our Newsletters free of charge via a form at the end of any page on our website.
Sponsors can also take advantage of a number of opportunities to engage with the Hertfordshire art community: www.hvaf.org.uk/news
We were delighted to be a finalist for the Herts Chamber Inspiring Hertfordshire Award for our work with the Herts Year of Culture (HYOC award) which ran through 2020.
17th-18th July: Herts Visual Arts Big Art Fair. Our exclusive Preview Night on Friday 16th July will feature Sponsors Choice Award Certificates and also the launch of Herts Open Studios publicity. There is a comprehensive advertising and sponsorship offering.
18th September – 10th October 2021: Herts Open Studios 2021
Herts Open Studios is Herts Visual Arts annual flagship event, when artists open their doors to visitors. Details of participating venues and artists will be available online from the summer. There is a comprehensive advertising and sponsorship offering.
The easiest way to join HVAF is online.
Web: www.hvaf.org.uk
News: www.hvaf.org.uk/news
Twitter: @HVAF #HertsOpenStudios #BigArtFair #LivingCraftsShowcase #HertsVisualArts
Facebook: @HertsVisualArts
Instagram: @HertsVisualArts #HertsVisualArts
Instagram: @HertsVisualArtsChair
YouTube: Herts Visual Arts
Press Release: by Sally Taylor. chair@hvaf.org.uk
Press contact: marketing@hvaf.org.uk
ENDS