The Farnham Public Art Trust was set up in 1995 by Major Bryan Sell MBE when he was mayor of Farnham. He recognised that councils seldom had the financial resources to commission new works of public art and craft, so he created a charitable trust with the ability to apply for grants not available to public authorities. The Trust’s charitable objective is “to advance public education in the arts in Farnham by the display of works of art and craft in public places” and the trustees have worked continuously to that end in the intervening years.
Our Projects
Exhibitions of Student Work
In the 1990s the Trust initiated an annual exhibition of work by students at the town’s art college, in the historic garden of Vernon House (Farnham Library). The brief was that work should be site specific. One piece was chosen by public vote each year and the artist presented with a certificate. “Bookstools” by Gillian Trotman was the winning entry one year. The work was purchased by Farnham Town Council and is still in the garden. The event lapsed after a few years.
Golden Jubilee Celebration
The Trust’s first major commission was completed in 2002 to celebrate HM The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. It was unveiled by HRH Princess Alexandra in November of that year. It consists of a wall mounted mosaic illustrating aspects of Farnham’s life and history, together with an oak seat carved with symbols of town industries.
Run With It
To mark the London Olympics in 2012 the Trust working with Farnham Young Arts invited five local secondary schools to create a series of large panels which were displayed on the wall of the swimming pool at Farnham Leisure Centre. The theme was “Run With It”, each panel expressing students’ ideas of representing the Olympics in colourful and exciting ways. It was unveiled by Jeremy Hunt MP, then the minister responsible for the Olympics.
Longbridge River Crossing
In October 2015 the Trust provided a history plaque marking the site of Farnham’s first river crossing, the Saxon ford at Longbridge. The first bridge there was built in the 13th century and the present bridge dates from the 1960s.
Farnham Hospital
The Public Art Trust ran this project on behalf of Waverley, commencing with an open competition which attracted 12 entries. These were assessed and reduced to a shortlist of four. An expert selection group was then set up and the chosen piece was an abstract by Will Spankie entitled “Farnham Flower” inspired by his drive to Farnham through the beech woods south of the town. The sculpture is placed next to the hospital car park.
William Cobbett’s “Rural Rides”
The Trust supported its President, Charles Bone PPRI, ARCA who raised funding and created a statue of William Cobbett the famous 19th century writer and parliamentarian who was born in Farnham. Before she died in 2006 Charles’ wife Sheila Mitchell FRBS had created a maquette design of Cobbett mounted on his horse and accompanied by his dog. The statue was completed and installed in 2016 and it now stands proudly in front of Hawthorn Lodge in Longbridge, where it was unveiled by Dame Penelope Keith in 2016.
Council Collaboration
The Trust collaborated with Farnham Town Council in the production of a Farnham Public Art Trail leaflet, and was represented on selection panels set up to choose public art in the Brightwells Yard development and at the New Ashgate Gallery.
You can view The Farnham Public Art Trail leaflet here on the Farnham Town Council website.