Each year Chris and Steve choose work(s) by an artist in the Alex’s July Summer Arts Exhibition and award a (modest) prize. Plus a natty trophy – on a plinth made from part of the Alex’s back bar. This year the winner is … drumroll please … Julie Krajicek. This is Julie’s first time exhibiting at the Alex and her works ‘ The Birthday Party: Cake ‘ and ‘The Birthday Party: Jelly ‘ really touched the owners of the Alex bringing back memories of children’s parties from way back when they were young. The style of painting anonymises the subjects so its easy to see yourself in their place – so young and so formal and such familiar (and predictable) food. Those were the days.
You may have seen Julie’s work before at RAGM as part of Rugby Open (she was overall winnner in 2023) or at Floor One Gallery (her Found Family show in 2024). We look forward to presenting her with the trophy when the Alex re-opens on 4th September after a month’s break.
Its traditional (and in this case entirely true) to say that it is hard to choose just one winner. There was some very fine art on show and we plan to make next year’s exhibition a little longer if we can. Commisserations to Debra Wenlock and Andy Willett who won the trophy in the first two years of the competition. Thank you to everyone who took part.
A sadder memory from of the exhibition
At the private view for this year’s show we enjoyed the company of the late Pete Thornley. He had loaned to our concurrent Rugby Yarnbomb Lewis Carroll exhibition, a fascinating artwork by Judy Haslam-Jones, part of his personal collection. Pete spent time catching up with old friends in the Alex garden, enjoying the glorious weather. Sadly he passed away only a month later. Rugby will miss this fabulously creative and innovative artist.