We are very sorry to report the death of Fred Beckett (1933 – 2025) who was a major
figure in the art world, firstly as Finance Director of Winsor & Newton, then in his own career
as a painter. Fred served a term as President of the ROI and was a member of the RSMA
and Hon. Member of both the RI and the RBA. He was elected to the Wapping Group in
1998 and organised a noted Group exhibition at The Guildhall which was devoted to the
Cutty Sark.
An East Anglian, Fred always loved that landscape and his work often featured the spacious
East Coast skies.

We are very sorry to record the passing of Steven Alexander (1951 – 2025), who was elected a Member in 2006, and served as Secretary from 2008 until 2015.  Steve, who comes from a family of artists but who first made his own career as a highly successful head of the Spanish Department at Hampton School, was well known for his absolute dedication to painting and his huge output of work. Steve suffered from Parkinson’s Disease, which he bore with great courage for many years while continuing to paint.

A new art exhibition, ‘Afloat or Ashore’, opens at Exeter Custom House on 12th April 2025. This exhibition showcases the winning and best entries from last year’s art competition of the same name, and celebrates historic vessels from around the UK.

The competition and exhibition are a partnership between the Royal Society of Marine Artists, the Wapping Group of Artists, and National Historic Ships UK. 

The exhibition is showing at Exeter Custom House from 12th April – 11 May 2025, and entry is FREE. 

The Custom House is open every day from 10am-5pm

Afloat and Ashore is a joint venture between National Historic Ships, the RSMA and the Wapping Group. It is open to all artists, with details below.

Congratulations to Max White and Tushar Sabale for being elected full members of the group.

“ Congratulations to Paula Mitchell who has been elected as a candidate of The Wapping Group of Artists. 

We wish her a successful painting year.”

The Wapping Group’s 75th Anniversary Book “A Changing View”, makes an ideal present. Ninety six pages packed with images from Present and Past members, plus a history of one of the oldest-established groups of artists working plein air in this country.

Our pre- Christmas offer of £22.50 plus postage has been very well received, but it did coincide with deep snow, ice and postal difficulties. Because of this we think it is right to extend the special price offer.

You can order your copy at £22.50 plus postage through the link below

For UK sales price:  £22.50 single copy plus £5.25 postage and packing. For two copies £45 plus £6.25 postage and packing, a saving of £4.50 on p&p

For other worldwide book sales please apply for a quote to secretary@thewappinggroupofartists.co.uk

The long-awaited slipcase edition of the Wapping Group’s book, “A Changing View” is now available.

This is a book for the collector. Until now available only to members of the Group, there are just 28 copies remaining. Each copy is signed by all the members of the Group, and is numbered in a limited edition of 75, commemorating the Group’s 75th anniversary. It is presented in a handsome slipcase.  The edition is limited to these 75 copies – there will never be more. At £75, this is a remarkable opportunity to own a highly collectable book.

In tribute to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Wapping Group of Artists offers this image, one of its members’ paintings of Windsor Castle, a favourite location for the Group.

The new President Geoff Hunt welcomes Louise Diggle, the newest member of the Wapping group. Lou was elected to Full Member at the Annual General Meeting yesterday. Really well done and many congratulations Lou.