LONDON, ENGLAND.- The Rt. Hon. David Mellor to open Annual Exhibition of the New English Art Club, at the Mall Galleries, The Mall (Near Admiralty Arch) London SW1. Thursday 2nd December 2004, at 1pm. The Rt. Hon David Mellor will officially open the Annual Exhibition of the New English Art Club on Thursday 2nd December 2004 at 1pm.

The Exhibition will then remain open at the Mall Galleries in central London, from Friday 3rd to Monday 20th December 2004. As always a wealth of highly respected members including President Tom Coates and Past President Ken Howard will show their work alongside that of selected non-members. A record 1186 works including paintings and drawings were sent in to the open submission this year, making it harder than in previous years for work to be selected to be hung. Each one was inspected by a panel of thirteen expert artists.

Since its formation, the NEAC has provided a platform for many famous artists such as Forbes, Sargent, Sickert, Orpen, McEvoy, Nash, Ethel Walker and others. It was started in 1886 by a group of young artists who wanted an exhibition space for the new and exciting developments taking place in France where Impressionism had a growing influence, and as an alternative to the very academic Royal Academy. The reputation of the NEAC as a bastion of the very best of British figurative drawing and painting remains strong today. There are currently just over 70 members of the NEAC including, to quote HRH the Prince of Wales, "many of the most distinguished figurative painters working in England".

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Editors¹ Notes

The NEAC David Wolfers Memorial Lecture
Tuesday 14th December 2004, 6.30 for 7pm
This lecture will be given by Peyton Skipwith of the Fine Art Society, Bond Street.
Titled "Keep the Home Fires Burning 1910 - 1944" it will focus on the artist McEvoy.

Featured Artist
The exhibition features the work of the distinguished painter Ambrose McEvoy ARA, NEAC (1878 ­ 1927).

Private View
Thursday 2nd December 2004, 11am ­ 8pm. Official opening at 1pm by The Rt. Hon David Mellor. Prizes will be distributed at 6.15pm.

Listings Information
New English Art Club Annual Exhibition.
The Mall Galleries, The Mall (Near Trafalgar Square), London SW1
Open: Friday 3rd to Monday 20th December 2004.
Open: 10am-5pm daily including weekends, Closes at 1pm on final day.
Entry £2.50, £1 concessions
Public Enquiries: Please call the gallery on 020 7930 6844 for further details, visit the website at www.mallgalleries.org.uk or email info@mallgalleries.com

Media Enquiries
For more information or images, please contact Briony Chaplin or Annabel Elton on 020 7930 6844 or email press@mallgalleries.com.