Duchess of Edinburgh visits Artventure Trust in Merrow

Published on: 14 Jun, 2023
Updated on: 16 Jun, 2023

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s latest visit to Guildford (June 6) included dropping into Artventure Trust in Merrow.

She met staff and volunteers of the charity and spent time with the learning disabled participants, before joining in with an art activity creating a plaster relief using “nature’s treasures” and a clay mound.

Pictures show the Duchess of Edinburgh’s visit to Artventure Trust. All photos by Steve Porter.

The duchess looked at the current exhibition in the studio that displays more than 100 artworks all created by learning disabled artists.

The exhibition is part of Surrey Artists’ Open Studios, a Surrey-wide art event where local artists open the door of their studios to the public.

Artventure participants presented a collaborative piece to the duchess – an impressive canvas with the portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II in a pop art style, they had created earlier.

A spokesperson said: “The recognition and the opportunity to meet her royal highness was an inspiration for the participants and the staff was proud to find that she appreciated their work and efforts.”

Artventure, based at St Peter’s Catholic School in Merrow, offers visual art sessions for adults with learning disabilities, autism and physical impairments in a safe and fun environment. It has been receiving participants from all over Surrey since 1984.