Sworders are pleased to support two art events in East Anglia this summer, Holt Festival & Paint Out, both of which offer a platform for local artists to showcase their work.
29 June 2023
The charming Georgian market town of Holt in Norfolk, where galleries, cafés, restaurants and independent shops thrive, is proud to once again be resuming its role as host of East Anglia’s celebration of creativity this summer. Festival Director, Anwen Hurt, has created another jam packed programme of outstanding entertainment for this year’s event that will run from Thursday 20 July - Saturday 29 July.
Among the guest attendees are renowned comedians Rich Wilson and Julian Clary, poetry from James Mcdermott and Luke Wright plus a diverse line up of musical artists from county favourites Peter Donohoe, Harriet Mackenzie and Toyah to free family friendly fun with Mad Dog Mcrea.
For another year running, we are delighted to show our support through the highly regarded annual Sir John Hurt & Sworders Art Prizes which will be offered along side the new Charlotte Fraser Ceramics & Glass Prize.
Sworders are proud to sponsor this year's Paint Out™ who's objective is to encourage engagement in art, not only among those who attend art exhibitions and sales, but by inspiring everyone to watch art being made against the clock, the weather and the pressure of an audience. It’s like a Great British Bake Off for painting, but in this case people can see it all live and engage with the competitors directly.
Paint Out™ is an art event that aims to refresh and redefine 21st-century en plein air art practice. Founded in 2014, it has become the UK's premier and only fully juried en plein air art competition. The event celebrates the talents of national and international artists in the presence of a broad audience, located in the heart of medieval and iconic Norwich, as well as in the picturesque towns, countryside, broads, and coast of beautiful Norfolk. Paint Out™ has also made appearances in Suffolk and Cambridge.
Japanese ceramics are highly appreciated for balanced coexistence of tradition and innovation; while older techniques are respected and preserved, new forms and ways of working with ceramics keep emerging. Today, Japan can boast with more than 100 pottery centres, each maintaining their own techniques, tradition and utilization of local materials.
17 June 2026
The varied and rich artistic traditions of the Indian, Islamic and Southeast Asian worlds continue to fascinate a global network of collectors and institutions. This year, Sworders Auctioneers have established a new area in its biannual Asian Art sales, dedicated to celebrating a great variety of works from these vibrant centres of artistic excellence.
17 June 2026
The Duke of Sussex joined HALO Ukrainian deminers on the ground in Bucha to see first-hand how innovation is reshaping one of the world's most dangerous jobs.
15 June 2026