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Guildford House Open winner opens new solo exhibition

Painting of a lady walking in a yellow dress down a street

Rebecca Holton, winner of the Guildford House Open 2025, has launched her exciting new solo show People Watching at Guildford House Gallery. 

The show features 25 paintings and drawings, showcasing Rebecca's ability to capture people in their natural environments. Whether in a coffee shop, by the seaside, or at a train station, Rebecca can find beauty in everyday moments.  

A multi-award-winning artist who has exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, and the Royal Society of British Artists, Rebecca's latest collection draws on scenes from Bath, London, and the South West.  

Rebecca won the Guildford House Open 2025 competition which is held in partnership with leading visual arts consultancy Parker Harris. The competition attracted around 1,500 entries spanning a wide range of media including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and photography. 

Cllr Vanessa King, Deputy Leader and Lead Councillor for Commercial Service, said:

"We are so excited to welcome Rebecca's solo exhibition to Guildford House Gallery, which provides a beautiful setting for these stunning paintings. Her work offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life, and we are grateful to be in partnership with Parker Harris to bring such an acclaimed artist right to the heart of Guildford. It's free to visit so I would encourage anyone to come along and enjoy some amazing art." 

Penny Harris, co-founder of Parker Harris, said: 

"People Watching is the third solo exhibition we have offered through the Guildford House Open, and Rebecca's work is a testament to why this prize exists. Her paintings are quite remarkable: arrestingly intimate and technically accomplished, and they suit the space beautifully. We are proud to support and nurture talent like hers, and to give UK-based artists the platform their work deserves." 

The exhibition will run until Saturday 3 October 2026. Guildford House Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm, with last entry to the exhibition at 4pm. Admission is free.   

You can find out more about Guildford House Gallery on our website.