Welcome to first 2024 edition of Group Members newsletter. Do hope you had a pleasant Christmas and New Year, however spent. Now straight on to Art Group matters.

Suffolk Living gallery space

Recent changeover went smoothly. Sales are, along with many other art outlets and retail in general, now rather slow. However we thank members who exhibit so we can continue providing a variety of work and be a contact point for information such as membership. Speaking of membership there has been a number of people joining the Group – welcome to you all. Several came along to the New Year Social which was much enjoyed by members and their guests. Before moving on – Next changeover details for you to note in your diary:

• Thursday, 7th March 2024 – deadline for details to be received
• Wednesday 13th March – 10.15 – 11.45am – work to be handed in

As you know, in order to exhibit work in our Annual Exhibition – and Suffolk Living gallery space – your hung work must be tightly strung using not only picture nylon cord, but also D-rings – no eyelet or ‘saw’ fixings to be used.

We appreciate using D-rings can, on occasion, cause a thin frame to split but this can be resolved by a product called ‘Hang it’. These are clipped to the backing board and cord attached through the loops of the clip.

Suppliers of Hang it include Lamden Gallery, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich and Deben Frames in Martlesham, both relatively local plus several on line outlets, such as Lord of the Frames (previously D&S Frames) lordoftheframes.co.uk and key in Hang it. Clips come in two sizes suitable for 2mm backing board and 3mm backing board. Most popular are the 2mm.

We do hope you find the above helpful – thank you Liz, Group membership secretary and Annual Exhibition administrator for helping with gathering information on this.

Meetings at Broadway House, Orwell Road, 7.30pm

Our first meeting of the year was a great success with 26 people arriving to experience Zentangle. Gillian Lait, an accredited Zentangle tutor, led us gently through the process of producing various patterns. At times all went very quiet indeed as we immersed ourselves working. ……… You will be pleased to know that Gillian has been booked for Zentangle Part 2 on Tuesday 28th May!

Yes, I have already been working on the 2024/25 Group Programme and most dates have been filled with a variety of subjects plus, as requested, a couple more work evenings.

Current programmed meetings-

• Tuesday 13th February 7.30pm Tony Osler – demonstrating ‘Sand, pebbles and rocks in watercolour’
• Tuesday 27th February 7.30pm – Members drawing challenge – the 3 categories are – A decorated letter of the alphabet / A pair of shoes / A set of keys

Gentle reminder –

• Members may enter one drawing per category / Drawing to be produced in graphite pencil, ink or charcoal
• To remain incognito write your name and category on back of work only
• Each entry mounted but not framed up to max of 20″ x 16″ / Entries handed in at door by 7.40pm
• Please do not enter work that was in the 2023 Annual Exhibition

Not entering? Do still come along, vote for your favourite in each category, enjoy light refreshments as well as see who, in each category is awarded a trophy and prize and runner up awarded a prize.

Important – Forthcoming changes

As with many groups, change comes about, especially when volunteers, due for whatever reason,  need to stand down. Christopher Robinson, after a number of years, for personal reasons, is standing down as Group Secretary and Tuesday evening technician.

Group secretary: This is not as onerous as one might think as it now consists mainly of sending out, upon receipt from me, of members bi-monthly newsletters and any supplements which may be required if information needs to be circulated before next main newsletter.  Chris emails to members in about 4 batches so certainly does not mean sending individually, which would take far too much time! The minority of members not on email are sent hard copies.  Plus from time to time, printing items such as membership forms. Expenses such as ink and paper are reimbursed. The Group provide a printer.

Tuesday evening meetings: Along with Graham, Chris sets up screen, camera and projector as and when required at various, but not all, meetings. Graham has kindly agreed to take on main role but we still need a volunteer to assist him with room set up and often helping bring presenters equipment in but he cannot do it all on his own. Liz and myself pitch in with preparing refreshments area, shifting chairs etc as much as possible.

Publicity secretary: There have been several call outs for a volunteer which unfortunately still has not produced a response. I have been covering this role as and when possible, but the time has come for someone to step up. All we are asking is for someone to write a piece, limit 250 words, so not reams of text, with information of what Group are doing and send to Flyer and Spotlight once a month and quarterly article to Felixstowe Town Council newsletter which is about 350 words. Much of the information will of course be about programme, but could also include a short piece about presenter of talk/demo, Annual Exhibition, etc. so you won’t be short of material! Some previous articles as well as contact information will be passed on to you.

I will continue with posters etc for various information boards, and assist Liz with Annual Exhibition matters. Having someone deal with the monthly/quarterly matters will be a huge weight off my shoulders.

Programme secretary: Having completed the Group’s 2024/25 Tuesday evening programme, after 11 years in the role it is time for me to stand back and another member take the helm. As well as passing on current contact details etc I am happy to offer support floating ideas for subjects and presenters. This role could of course be carried out by a couple of friends working together. Once the programme is planned the information is sent to Liz D’arville for typing and printing ready for distribution. A copy also to me plus fee information in order to arrange payment.

Note 1 – Does not require booking venue. Dates would be sent to you

Note 2 – Not absolutely essential to attend Tuesday evening meetings if not always possible or if at all

Again, this would be a huge help to me personally as well as the Group for this role to be filled.

One final note – Committee meetings have been reduced to one after the Annual Exhibition and the main AGM Most matters are dealt with via email unless absolutely essential a face to face meeting is required.

Thanks go to members continuing their various roles in Thursday afternoon painting sessions at Conservative Club, Annual Exhibition, Membership, Treasurer, Web management, General assistance.

Although I have spent some time endeavouring to set out information on above roles without rambling, please use contact details on the back of your programme card or reply via Chris who is sending out this newsletter if any questions or to offer your help. We cannot fully succeed running the Group to its full potential without you.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Yvonne

(Chairman)