The Sime Gallery
   


   

The Sidney Sime Gallery at Worplesdon, near Guildford in Surrey, houses a major collection of the fascinating and highly characteristic work of Sidney Sime (1865-1941), the famous artist, illustrator and caricaturist.


Listen to Jan Messinger's interview on BBC Radio Surrey
The Gallery will have to remain closed until mid May following the COVID announcement on February 23rd. Whilst we had hoped it would be sooner, our main priority must be the welfare of our loyal volunteers and you, our visitors. We do hope you will enjoy looking at Sime's artwork on our website. On Sunday 23rd May, we will be commemorating Sime's 80th Anniversary of his death (22 May 1941) so watch this space for opportunities to visit the Gallery that weekend. Our annual children's workshop has had to be postponed but is being planned for later in the spring/summer depending on restrictions. We hope to hold a few smaller outdoor childrens' activities when we can reopen. Donations are always welcome towards restoration of some of our paintings especially during these challenging times. Please email enquiries@sidneysimegallery.org.uk for bank details or send to The Sime Gallery, Worplesdon Memorial Hall, GU33RF

Watch and Listen to a narration of Sidney Sime Carricatures

Persons over 18 years of age who book an appointment to visit the Sime Gallery from now until 16th December 2020 on Wednesdays and Sundays between 2-4pm and leave their email address will be entered into a draw to win this Snow globe gin that light ups ready for the festive season. We look forward to seeing you and welcoming you to enjoy Sidney Sime artist master of the mysterious.

Sidney Herbert Sime
 

Sime owned a cottage at Worplesdon - Crown Cottage - and spent much of his time there during the latter part of his life.

The gallery is on the first floor of Worplesdon Memorial Hall and was opened in 1956 with proceeds from the sale of Crown Cottage, on the death of Sime's widow Mary.

Mary bequeathed all those of her late husband's pictures that remained in her possession to the Trustees of the Worplesdon Memorial Hall for the creation of such a gallery.

Sime Gallery Trustees

In 2019, the Trustees were successful in obtaining a Resilient Heritage grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Gallery has recently become a separate Sime Gallery Trust (CIO).

Paintings and drawings

There are 88 hung works on view, including theatrical caricatures, caricatures of local Worplesdon residents and landscape paintings in oil and watercolour.  In total there are over 500 catalogued items.

To view a selection of our pictures online, go to our online gallery page.  The oil paintings in our collection can be viewed in their entirety through the Art UK website.

The Trustees pursue a continuing programme of restoration and conservation.  They would like to express their gratitude to the many organizations and individuals who have supported this programme through grants and donations.

Furniture

The gallery also contains some furniture used frequently by Sime:  a gate-leg table, which contains two portfolios of Sime's work and also various publications of interest;  a Windsor chair;  and a tallboy containing his original sketch books, numerous oil paintings, etchings, watercolour sketches, drawings and caricatures, and press cuttings.

Visiting the gallery

The Gallery is normally open, from 2 to 4 pm, on Sundays and Wednesdays with prebooking required.

The Gallery is also open throughout the annual Guildford Heritage Weekend in September and can be visited at other times by appointment.  For details of where we are and how to contact us, see our visiting the gallery page.

Worplesdon Memorial Trustees

The Memorial Hall and the contents of the Sidney Sime Gallery are in the care of the Worplesdon Memorial Trustees, a registered charity (CIO). More details can be found on the Worplesdon Memorial Hall website.

 

KEEPING IN TOUCH

If you would like to hear about forthcoming events and the latest developments at the Gallery, then please join our mailing list by completing this form and returning it to us.


"The Art of Sidney Sime, Artist and Philosopher"

This 50-page illustrated booklet is available at �5 plus postage and packing. Please contact us for details.


BOGEY BEASTS

The Gallery has produced the first ever video presentation of the 1923 book Bogey Beasts by Sidney Sime and Joseph Holbrooke!  Find it on our YouTube page.

© The Sime Gallery CIO, 2020