Sidney Sime Exhibition and Annual Lecture to Celebrate Artistry

The Sime Gallery is set to host its annual lecture at St Mary’s Church in Perry Hill, Worplesdon, on November 3, 2025, at 15:00. The lecture, titled “Players in their Day: Stars of the Victorian and Edwardian Stage,” will be presented by Carmen Holdsworth-Delgado, a curator and researcher specializing in theatrical art. Tickets for this event are priced at £12 and can be booked by calling 07951 024220 or via email at [email protected].

In addition to the lecture, a selection of Sidney Sime’s work will be exhibited at the New House Art Gallery in Guildford from November 6 to 27. This exhibition, titled “Bridging Fantasy Across Time,” is free to the public and aims to highlight the imaginative artistry of Sime, who was a prominent figure in the realm of fantasy-themed illustrations.

The Sime Gallery, which houses a significant collection of Sidney Sime’s work, is located within Worplesdon Memorial Hall. Sime, who lived in Worplesdon for the last 37 years of his life, is best known for his captivating fantasy art, which includes illustrations that featured in numerous London magazines during the late 19th century. His widow, Mary Sime, bequeathed a substantial portion of his artwork to the parish, leading to the gallery’s establishment in 1956.

The current exhibition will feature a variety of Sime’s works, including large oil paintings, landscapes, pen and ink drawings, and etchings. Notably, Sime produced theatrical caricatures between 1896 and 1898 and contributed political cartoons to the magazine “Pick Me Up” during the same period. His artistic range also extends to his book “Bogey Beasts,” which combines illustrations and verses accompanied by music from composer Josef Holbrooke.

The Sime Gallery is open to visitors on Wednesdays and Sundays from 14:00 to 16:00, with free admission. Throughout the year, the gallery also hosts art activities for both adults and children and provides talks to local organisations. The venue periodically organizes “tea and talk” sessions, fostering community engagement through art appreciation.

For those interested in exploring the unique works of Sidney Sime and learning more about his contributions to art and culture, the upcoming events at the Sime Gallery and New House Art Gallery offer a rich opportunity to delve into his imaginative world.