"Now I see the secret of the making of the best person, It is to grow in the open air, and to eat and sleep with the earth." Walt Whitman, Song of the Open Road I have just returned to Bath after a wonderful journey through Spain with a surprise visit from my son Benjamin Maggs— a journey that coincided with my birthday and reminded me, once again, of the extraordinary richness of simply being alive. There is something about travelling that opens us up. We step away from our

In the 1930s, a quiet corner of Hampstead became one of the most important centres of modern art anywhere in Europe. Art critic Herbert Read affectionately described it as "a nest of gentle artists"—a community united not by manifestos or competition, but by friendship, curiosity and a shared belief that art could reshape the modern world. Within a few streets lived an extraordinary constellation of artists: Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Henry Moore and Paul Nash. Soon the

Long before social media and cultural influencers, Edith Sitwell understood that ideas flourish through conversation. Her London salons became meeting places for poets, painters, composers and critics, helping shape the course of British Modernism. More than a brilliant poet, she was a curator of people and ideas, proving that bringing creative minds together can be as influential as creating great art itself. Edith was one of the most extraordinary literary personalities of

Yesterday members of the Whistler Society were privileged to have a private tour of the James McNeill Whistler Exhibition at Tate Britain given to us by the Curator Carol Jacobi. It was thrilling to have a close look at Whistler's work through the eyes of this absolutely splendid art historian who gave us insight not only about how Whistler produced his works, but also the spirit behind their creation. I was struck by how much ahead of his times Whistler was and the legacy he

Going through my art library I came across this vintage catalogue which prompted me reflect on the idea of perception... Perception is more than sight; it is the process through which we make meaning from what we experience. In art, perception involves not only the eyes but also the mind, memory, imagination, and emotion. The Cubist spirit remains one of the most influential forces in contemporary art. Although the revolutionary movement pioneered by Pablo Picasso, Georges Br

This week's Sunday Art Dialogue explores the captivating collage works of British artist RICHARD CROOKS. Collage, from the French coller meaning "to glue," emerged as a revolutionary artistic technique in the early twentieth century. It is widely credited to the pioneering experiments of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who began incorporating fragments of newspapers, wallpaper and found materials into their Cubist paintings around 1912. Their radical approach challenged the

Art history is rarely the story of solitary genius. It is often the product of a creative ecosystem—a symbiotic relationship between artists, patrons, collectors, critics, curators, and salonnières. Without artists there is no art to champion; without champions, many artists might never be seen. Frequently, these influencers were women who led the way. Behind many artistic revolutions stood remarkable women who were cultural powerhouses such as Lady Ottoline Merrell, Gertrude

Efstathios Eleftheriades, known universally as Tériade, was already a respected art critic and editor in Paris when he met the wealthy American publisher, David Smart, in 1937. Smart reportedly challenged him to create "the most beautiful magazine in the world." The result was VERVE a lavishly produced review of art and literature that ran from 1937 to 1960. Unlike ordinary magazines, Verve was almost a portable museum. It featured original lithographs, deluxe colour reproduc

Today I would like to discuss how artists conceive their subject matter, where do their ideas come from? This is a question about creativity, which has always fascinated me. Does an artist discover a subject through observation of the world, or create it through imagination? There are observation based artists such as John Constable's landscapes or Lucien Freud's portraits. They work from direct visual experiences and are concerned with recording appearances. Then there are i

For the British Romantic painter Samuel Palmer, trees were not just background elements; they were living, breathing entities. In his visionary landscapes, trees are often anthropomorphised with gnarled, twisting trunks and vibrant, glowing blossoms, symbolising the intense spiritual and natural abundance in the English landscape. In the current exhibition by Glenn Brown at No.1 Royal Crescent in Bath, Grottoesque, which I visited recently, Brown invites one into a world of t

The split between "fine art" and "craft" feels less like a truth and more like an inherited hierarchy. Painting and sculpture are often treated as higher forms of creative expression, while photography, ceramics, textiles, and other artisanal practices are placed in secondary categories-as if skill with materials is somehow separate from artistic intelligence. But this distinction has a history. It can be traced back to Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists, where drawing and

May 17th 2026 Hello again. This is the second Sunday Art Dialogue, which is a new weekly post in which I share thoughts, reflections and ideas across a wide range of art topics. Each week I hope to open up conversation, inviting you to engage, respond and share your own perspectives. Art is always richer in dialogue, and I would love you to be a part of it. Today I would like to briefly discuss the word architectonic... used frequently to describe artworks. In visual art, arc

I am delighted to announce the Sunday Art Dialogue, a new weekly post in which I share thoughts, reflections and ideas across a wide range of art topics. Each week I hope to open up conversation, inviting you to engage, respond and share your own perspectives. Art is always richer in dialogue, and I would love you to be a part of it. You can find each new post here on the News page, or follow along on Instagram where the conversation begins every Sunday. Sunday Art Dialogue

The gallery at Shires Yard is now permanently closed and we're taking a moment to reflect on an extraordinary year. This space has been filled with colour, conversation, creativity, and the work of so many talented artists-each exhibition, event, and encounter captured in these memories. From vibrant group shows to intimate viewing rooms, from new discoveries to returning favourites, it has been a gallery where art connected us all. We're deeply grateful to every artist, co

Where Art & Style Meet with RIOT’US Join us for a joyful clothes show celebrating colour, texture and style in the gallery Thursday 27 November | 6-7:30pm

My Own Fantastic Folly Saturday 29th November 1-4pm Cost £20 inc materials & refreshments Only 8 places (age 12Plus) Be sure to wear old clothing! Book now to reserve a place at: sandra@sandrahiggins.com SANDRA HIGGINS ART Shires Yard units 12&13 41 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1BZ

IN ASSOCIATION WITH SANDRA HIGGINS ART GALLERY ART STOP is your new destination for unique, artist designed creations, from original art and handmade crafts to fashion, jewellery, books, and design objects. Every piece at ART STOP is crafted with creativity and care, making it the perfect place to find something truly special and one-of-kind. Next to SANDRA HIGGINS ART GALLERY Shires Yard, Bath

We are thrilled to announce that we have extended the Contrasts & Connections exhibition featuring three great British artists, Steve...

We are very happy to announce that we have moved to a larger, brighter premises in the wonderful Milsom Place. You can now find us in...

In advance of his talk on the 23rd of September at The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Andreas Wasmuht and I interviewed The Guardian's art critic Jonathan Jones about his new book, 'Earthly Delights: The Artists of the Renaissance'.

First come, first served! Max 12 participants....

A Free Gig!! Be there or be square!!

I am excited to show this diverse selection of art from local and international artists!