Thousands rush to buy tickets to Renoir show

More than 700 people had viewed it in the four days since it opened on Saturday at the Guernsey Museum at Candie.

This was on top of the 400 people people who attended several private events before the show opened.

There are 10 original paintings in the exhibition – Renoir in Guernsey, 1883 – which celebrates the 140th anniversary of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s stay in Guernsey.

Art for Guernsey founder David Ummels said it had all been going very well.

So far there have been more than 720 visitors, which included a school group of more than 70 school children.

‘It’s extraordinary momentum and we are very pleased with the incredible feedback from visitors,’ Mr Ummels said.

‘They seem to be very happy and enthusiastic.’

Only 30 people at a time are allowed in the display room for security and safety reasons, which Mr Ummels said was a constraint, but it had turned into an advantage.

‘The strong feedback has been that it creates an intimate atmosphere, where they feel they can interact with the paintings,’ he said.

Head of Heritage Services Helen Glencross said they had seen a real mix of people coming to the exhibition.

‘The opening morning we saw parents bringing their children and it was lovely to see families enjoying the experience together,’ she said.

‘During the week it has been couples, friends and some larger groups.’

She said that Saturday, Sunday and Monday sessions had all been sold out and in general there had been a steady stream of visitors.

‘Several morning sessions are sold out throughout this week,’ she said.

‘Next weekend is also almost sold out. We do have tickets available in some of the afternoon slots this week. We are also offering evening visits on Wednesdays and Thursdays – tickets are available.’

People are already booking for November and December dates.

‘The feedback has been very positive and people are obviously enjoying seeing the exhibition,’ said Mrs Glencross.

The Art for Guernsey team had designed a range of Renoir-inspired merchandise.

The umbrellas, at £40, have been the best sellers, with tote bags at £15 and mugs at £12 also proving popular.

Adult tickets for the exhibition cost £10 and children’s tickets £5. Tickets are booked for 60-minute slots and are available from https://bit.ly/48C0jZs

The paintings are on display until 17 December.