Aldenham Art Festival

SALES

With a stunning selection from over 500 works from 80+ artists, in all styles and mediums there is a huge choice of art and something for everyone at affordable prices. All pictures will be for sale and purchasers can take pictures with them when they have paid the full selling price as listed in the catalogue given out at the door. Payments accepted by card or cash – Sorry, NO cheques!

All sales include a commission and donations for entry and refreshments will all go towards renovations and repairs to this wonderful building and help preserve it for the future.

If you are an artist and would like the chance of taking part in the 2027 exhibition, please email [email protected]

Entries will open around March/April 2027 and if you have registered you will receive an email notification then.

OPENING TIMES

Friday 10th and Saturday 11th Sep 2027, 10.00am – 5.00pm

Sunday 12th Sep 2027, 12.00noon – 5.00pm

Monday 13th – Thursday 16th Sep 2027: CLOSED

Friday 17th and Saturday 18th Sep 2027 10.00am – 5.00pm

Sunday 19th Sep 2027, 12.00 – 4.00pm

Entry by suggested donation of £3 per person (Accompanied children free). Refreshments will be available at most times throughout both weekends for a donation. Step free access, free WIFI, toilets with baby changing all available. Sunday opening will be after the morning service which takes place at 10.30am and you are welcome to attend if you wish.

Preview Evening Thursday 9th September 2027: 6.30pm - 9.30pm. Suggested donation £5 per person (includes drinks and nibbles).

PREVIEW NIGHT

Thursday 9th September 2027 - 6.30pm to 9pm

Artists will get one free pass for the evening and other guests will be admitted for a £5 donation to the church which will include Prosecco, wine or soft drinks and nibbles.(Free for children with adults.)

HAND IN

Sunday 5th September 2027 between 3.30 and 5.00pm

If you cannot make the hand in at the requested time, please arrange for someone to do it for you.

HAND BACK

At the church from 4pm to 5.30pm Sunday 19th September 2027

If you are unable to collect any unsold works you must arrange for someone else to do so on your behalf or email us as we cannot store or arrange delivery.

STEWARDING

The Exhibition will be manned by experienced people at all times and you are NOT required to steward.

SELLING

We will allow purchasers to take the picture with them when they have paid the full selling price.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ALL SALES WILL BE SUBJECT TO A 25% COMMISSION FOR ALDENHAM CHURCH FABRIC FUND FOR RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS

ENTRY

3 framed pictures for hanging @ £8.50 each
6 unframed browser pictures @ £4.00 each

FRAMED PICTURES

Pictures must be properly and securely framed (or be box canvasses) and have a string or wire at the back. They must also have a label on the back showing the title, artist, media and price. There is no upper size limit on framed work providing we have space to hang them. Badly framed or unsafe work may not be displayed.

FRAMED PICTURES MUST BE ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART, NO PHOTOGRAPHS, DIGITAL ART OR LIMITED-EDITION PRINTS UNLESS THEY ARE COLLAGRAPH, LINOCUT, OR SIMILAR HAND PULLED WORKS.

Aldenham Church
Watercolour by Arthur Gilpin

UNFRAMED OR BROWSER PICTURES

Most forms of art are acceptable as unframed work including original art on unmounted canvas, paper or thin board (i.e. hardboard or similar) in any medium including Giclee prints, digital and photographic art. All work must be of your own making.

All items MUST be enclosed in a clear plastic or cellophane sleeve with a stiffener or mount where necessary and the pack must not exceed 4mm in thickness. Works on canvas mounted on stretcher bars are NOT acceptable.

All unframed work MUST have a label on the back clearly showing the name of the artist, title, medium and price.

All items must be for sale and of a suitable subject for the setting.

Publicity

The success of the exhibition relies on good publicity; we will do all we can to maximise on this. But YOU can play a vital role as well by telling all your friends, relations and any one you can think of about it as well as using your social media networks.

Insurance

Public liability Insurance is provided, however, the insurance of all works is the responsibility of the individual person. Aldenham Church or the organisers cannot accept responsibility for theft, loss or damage no matter how caused.

About the venue

Set in the small village of Aldenham, close to the towns of Radlett, Bushey and Watford, in the Hertfordshire countryside,St John the Baptist church is a wonderful mediaeval churchof outstanding beauty where Christians have worshipped since the 13thcentury.During the public open days there will be tea, coffee and home-madecakes available for a donation and there are toilets.

Aldenham Art Festival 2026

Another two weekends of amazing art!

Aldenham Art Festival returned for its 8th event, still bigger than ever!

Overview

The 2026 Aldenham Art Festival was a truly outstanding success in many ways not least of which was the quality and variety of the work brought along to create this outstanding exhibition. It also opened up the church to the wider community and shows what an amazing space it is, perfectly suited to showcasing artwork as well as a place for worship. People commented on the warm, friendly ‘family’ feel on entering the building and also extended by the team of volunteers.

Our Volunteers

The Festival simply could not happen without the remarkable dedication and enthusiasm of the volunteers who excelled themselves in all this: baked cakes, scones, sausage rolls, sandwiches and other treats; welcomed visitors at the door, stewarded the event, wrapped artwork and handled payments; served endless tea and coffee and ran the refreshment bar with good humour; encouraged visitors to buy artwork, made purchases themselves, or donated generously; helped put up and take down display boards and all the other equipment and signs and arranged flowers; took away and distributed fliers and posters in shops and local places, placed the road signs, and generally promoted the event locally; welcomed your work at the hand in and sign out and made the whole event go smoothly. Their contribution — in every form — made this festival possible but most importantly the work of the artists in all its myriad forms created an exhibition that had people talking!

A huge and heartfelt THANK YOU!

Some facts & Figures

Total Sales: £11,484
Number of artists; 86 (This is the maximum)
Pictures Sold: 85
Estimated Profit to the Church: Approx £8,000 (This includes money raised through refreshments, door, hanging fees, some sponsorship and advertising.) All proceeds are used to maintain this Grade 1 listed jewel of a building!

These figures represent a brilliant year, but the success of the festival goes far beyond the financial outcome which will help greatly in preserving this wonderful building.

Community Impact

The festival once again proved to be a brilliant meeting point for artists, visitors and volunteers alike. Many commented on the friendly, inclusive atmosphere — a place where everyone felt welcome. The combination of open doors, warm smiles and delicious cake created a sense of community that money simply cannot measure.

Special Thanks

We extend a huge thank you to the Golf Club across the road for their tremendous support for providing all the drinks and canapes for our Preview Night and for the advertising they provided for the event. Their partnership has become an invaluable part of the festival’s success, and we are delighted that they have already promised to support us again next year.

Looking Ahead

Plans are already underway for next year:

Entries will open around March/April
Hand in - Sunday 5^th September 2027
Preview Night – Thursday 9^th September
Open days 10–12 September 17–19 September

We look forward to welcoming you everybody back to Aldenham Church for another celebration of creativity, community and hospitality in 2027.

The Team

And a special note from the new vicar on his first experience of our event: “I would like to add my thanks on behalf of the church council for the time and energy all the volunteers put in so that the Art Festival could run again this year. It couldn’t happen without the dedication and hard work of all. As a result, we have put on an event that brings people together, celebrates local talent and raises money to preserve our historic building. Your efforts are much appreciated!”

Rev John Castle, Vicar

Welcome to Aldenham Art Festival 2027!

At Aldenham Church, Church Lane, Aldenham WD25 8BE

GREAT ART IN WONDERFUL SETTING!

Aldenham Church is the perfect setting for an Art Festival.