Reflecting on Winter Art Exhibition 2024

By: Marinela Caldarus

Bi-Annual art exhibition organised in Slough

On a crisp December day, the Winter Art Exhibition 2024 transformed the Observatory Shopping Centre in Slough into a hub of creativity and inspiration. Held on Sunday, 8th December, this vibrant event showcased diverse artwork, interactive activities, and an unmistakable festive spirit.

Behind the Scenes of the Winter Art Exhibition – Preparation

The Art Classes Group team worked tirelessly to bring the Winter Art Exhibition 2024 to life. Guided by the festive winter theme, we engaged diverse participants, including young artists from the Arts Award program, National Saturday Club, adult classes, and embroidery enthusiasts.

We reached out to schools, children, and community groups, inviting them to perform and contribute artwork, including 3D pieces and paintings. A curated list of special guests was contacted, alongside securing a talented guest artist to share their work and conduct workshops during the exhibition.

Weekly staff meetings ensured seamless coordination, while a videographer was brought on board to capture the event highlights. Each submitted artwork was carefully labelled, and the exhibition featured a thoughtfully curated display complemented by additional workshops like face painting.

Marketing Campaign for the Winter Art Exhibition 2024

The promotion of the Winter Art Exhibition 2024 was a vibrant and multi-platform effort designed to build excitement and draw attendees in the days leading up to the event.

Countdowns on Social Media

The campaign kicked off with a dynamic four-day countdown on social media. Each day featured visually appealing posts with highlights of what to expect at the exhibition, such as sneak peeks of the artwork, guest artist announcements, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the setup process. Engaging captions encouraged followers to share the posts, helping amplify reach and anticipation.

This strategic combination of countdowns, digital outreach, and diverse platform promotion ensured the Winter Art Exhibition 2024 captured the attention of a broad audience, making it a resounding success.

Exhibition Display – A Showcase of Talent

The exhibition featured many artworks created by young talents, adults, and dedicated embroidery artists. The displays extended from the ACG Studio to the public space near Primark, inviting attendees to experience the brilliance of various forms of art. The centrepiece of the day was the certification ceremony, where artists and contributors were celebrated for their exceptional creativity and dedication.

Ceremony and certificate awards

The Certificates and Ceremony event at ACG Studio was a highlight of the Winter Art Exhibition 2024, running from 12:15 PM to 2:00 PM, the ceremony featured inspiring speeches from the senior members of Art Classes Group, the board members and the guest artists who celebrated the creativity and dedication of participants. This was followed by the presentation of certificates to artists, acknowledging their achievements and contributions to the exhibition.

Adults aged 18+: The largest category of participants, highlighting significant involvement from adults. Paintings varied widely, reflecting the participants’ diverse experiences and inspirations. Themes included abstract pieces, realistic portraits, intricate landscapes, or conceptual art. Colours, textures, and compositions were often more sophisticated and thoughtfully balanced.

Children aged 12-16: A larger number of participants came from this age group, showcasing strong engagement from older children. Paintings from this group reflected a mix of personal interests and emerging technical skills. Subjects ranged from realistic portraits and landscapes to abstract art or fantasy-inspired themes. There was often a focus on storytelling or conveying emotion, showing an evolving artistic identity. During the winter art exhibition, children participating as part of their Arts Award qualification presented their work with enthusiasm and creativity, showcasing both their artistic skills and their learning journey.

Children aged 8-11: This group saw a moderate level of participation. Paintings were more detailed and structured than those of younger children. Subjects included landscapes, animals, cartoon-style characters, and imaginative scenes. They often combined vibrant colours with recognisable shapes, showcasing creativity and growing confidence.

Children aged 5-7: Representing the youngest age group, they had a great number of participants in the exhibition. Their paintings featured bold, vibrant colours with simple forms, such as animals, and abstract splashes.

Art Tutors and Freelance Artists: A small but distinct group, likely professionals or mentors contributing to the event. Their paintings were the most diverse and complex, reflecting their training and creativity. Themes might include thought-provoking abstract art, deeply emotional pieces, or high-skill realist works. Their use of textures, layering, and visual storytelling made their work stand out. A photoshoot captured these proud moments, providing attendees with lasting memories. The event concluded with a delightful high tea, offering a chance for guests and participants to mingle, reflect on the exhibition, and celebrate their collective success.

The age group of Exhibitors in a graph chart.

High tea

The high tea table was a delightful mix of indulgent treats and holiday charm, perfectly complementing the winter art exhibition’s creative and festive atmosphere.

The high tea table at the Winter Art Exhibition was beautifully planned and decorated with a festive and inviting setup, featuring a variety of treats, drinks, and a centrepiece chocolate fountain. The table was draped with a holly-patterned cloth, adding a festive holiday touch with red and green accents, including glittering ribbons and tinsel, which enhanced the Christmasthemed decor. The multi-tiered chocolate fountain was the highlight of the table, offering a rich and flowing display of chocolate. Accompanied by skewers of marshmallows, fruits (like strawberries and grapes), and other dippable items, the fountain invited interaction and added excitement to the setup.

The layout was thoughtfully organised, making it easy for guests to navigate the selections.

Engaging Activities for All Ages

Visitors were treated to an exciting lineup of activities, including a face-painting station and an art workshop, both of which were warmly received by the young audience.

Purpose of visit

The purpose of visits to the Winter Art Exhibition varied, with the majority of attendees (59.4%) identifying as parents or guardians. Supporting an artist was the second most common reason, accounting for 21.9% of visits. General visits made up 18.8%, while a small number of attendees came with family or friends (3.1%), specifically to support an artist (4.7%), or simply with friends (1.6%).

Special Thanks

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who made this event a resounding success.

• Attendees: More than 200 people attended the event. Your enthusiasm and presence brought the exhibition to life.
• Sponsors and Partners: Arts Council England, Trinity College London, and others whose support was invaluable.
• Exhibitors: Your stunning creations were the heart of the exhibition.
• Volunteers and Staff: More than 10 volunteers from local secondary schools and colleges helped during the event. Your hard work ensured the event ran seamlessly.

Looking Forward

As we reflect on this memorable event, we’re already buzzing with ideas for the next exhibition. Based on feedback and our evaluations, we’ll continue to improve and innovate, ensuring each event is even more spectacular than the last.

Explore More: Visit our digital gallery at www.artclassesgroup.com.

Save the Date: Don’t miss our upcoming exhibitions and workshops!

Let’s keep celebrating art together!