Royal Grammar School RGS 500

19 September to 10 October 2009

With artists from John Russell RA to the present day students, this exhibition celebrated 500 years since Robert Beckingham left money in his will 'to make a free school at the Town of Guildford'.

The exhibition included paintings and sculpture from the RGS collection which was started in 1993 as well as work by such well known old boy artists as Ronald Smoothey MBE.

There was work on show by some who have taught art at the RGS. As well as the two current teachers, painters Andrew Curtis and Alistair Rozier, and former ones such as the etcher George Edward Collins (art teacher between 1919-1947).

The exhibition included work by two Old Boys who went on to teach at the school: Ronald Smoothey MBE was at the school as a boy between 1925-1933 and returned to teach in 1947 until 1979 and one of his pupils Frank Brown also returned to teach art here.

The exhibition also featured the first public display of a new copy of the
School's original Charter, re-worked by the College of Heralds in London.

Art has always been part of the Royal Grammar School curriculum, and their most distinguished Old Boy artist is John Russell RA (1745-1806). The exhibition also celebrates the achievement of generations of RGS artists and some of their teachers.

Guildford House Gallery
155 High Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3AJ

Tel: 01483 444742
Fax: 01483 458563
Email: guildfordhouse@guildford.gov.uk

Open Tuesday to Saturday. 10am to 4.45pm. Admission Free