If you are interested in buying art and want to see a great selection of affordable art by professional and good amateur artists, then you have a hill to climb. That hill is real and not metaphorical. The village of Brill, 12 miles from Oxford, is perched on the top of one. Fifteen years ago, when the village school mounted their first art exhibition, Art on the Hill seemed the obvious choice for a name.
The PTA takes a commission from the sales and the event has boosted the school funds ever since. It has gone from strength to strength by maintaining a high standard of work. Since it is for one weekend only, it has a great buzz.
I asked exhibition chairman, Jo Boyd Gill, who will be exhibiting at this year's show. She told me: "The legendary Rolling Stone, Ronnie Wood, has donated three signed limited edition prints, each framed. They are to be auctioned over the weekend, all proceeds going to the school.
"Cliff Wright, the Harry Potter book illustrator, is returning. His work sold very well last year. Another popular exhibitor is American artist, Sandra Walker."
Sandra is a member of the prestigious Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour. That sounds quite traditional but her pictures are striking modern depictions, often on architectural themes. While in Washington she was commissioned by the United States Mint to design a Congressional Medal honouring Simon Wiesenthal.
Sandra was awarded Britain's most respected watercolour prize, the £15,000 Singer & Fried lander/Sunday Times Award for Best British Watercolour. She was commissioned by Margaret Thatcher to paint the Houses of Parliament for the Thatcher Foundation.
There is work in other media. Oxford stone carver Bernard Johnson will be exhibiting. He works in limestone and in slate, and as well as sculpting he takes on practical commissions like house names and memorials.
Established artists such as Bernard and Sandra are joined by up-and-coming local painters such as Sue Cook. The striking picture of the Radcliff Camera (above) is hers.
Earlier this month I wrote about the Ashmolean's brilliant children's art competition. Brill School uses their annual show to inspire pupils who enter their work in themed competitions. These will be judged by Ronnie Wood's son Jesse, who will also oversee the auction of his father's pictures. A café provides refreshments on both days.
Art on the Hill at Brill School, Saturday and Sunday. March 8 and 9 (Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm). Enquiries: Tel: 07968 808360.
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