As in previous years, Group’s 2024 AGM was well attended, so thank you to all who were able to come along and hear a variety of reports (short!) and news etc plus the Annual Exhibition poster competition voting took place. Members favourite was by Tom Catchpole, who was presented with the perpetual trophy plus a prize. Linda Evans as runner up was also presented with a prize.
The evening was also an opportunity to meet committee members including Tony Osler who was formally voted as Programme secretary. My thanks to committee for gift presented to me following standing down as Programme secretary and Publicity.
The Group’s Committee now comprise of the following –
- Chairman/members newsletter – Yvonne Smart
- Vice Chairman – Jim Lait
- Hon. Treasurer – David Tennant
- Group secretary – Gillian Lait * – Gillian’s role will be members newsletter distribution
- Hon. assistant secretary – Steve Smart * – Steve role will be dealing with printing matters.
- Membership secretary – Liz D’arville
- Programme secretary – Anthony Osler
- Publicity – Janet Woodard
- Gallery manager – Yvonne Smart
- Exhibition manager – Jim Lait
- Exhibition administrator – Liz D’arville
- Exhibition admin. assistant – Yvonne Smart
- Tuesday evening technician – Graham Ellis assisted by Janet Woodard
- Social secretaries – Yvonne Smart and Liz D’arville
- General assistance – Helen Daniel and Tracy Laudat*
- *Co-opted at a committee meeting after AGM
Non committee
- Painting/drawing sessions at Conservative Club admin – Margery Shaw
Painting/drawing Thursday afternoons 2.00-4.00pm at Conservative Club
The move downstairs, co-ordinated by Helen Daniel, took place on 23rd May. And thanks to Con. Club manager, for preparing room. Be assured this was greatly appreciated Mike.
As many members already know, to absorb the increase in hire fee (regardless of where we were located) the discount prepayment has been discontinued and members now pay £2 per week.
Once prepayment has run out (if not already) then when signing in please pay your £2 each week you attend. This will reduce the time and effort required to ensure records are kept in order which, no doubt, you will agree is a good thing.
Many thanks for embracing this change and we hope you will not only enjoy having everything on one level, space for notices, magazines etc etc, but also on warm summer days the opportunity to open up the patio doors and paint/draw outside if you wish.
Broadway House Tuesday evening meetings – Members £1. Visitors £2 (includes refreshments)
Once again, the Zentangle session was a most relaxing evening with Gillian guiding everyone through the various stages to produce work. Do take a look attachment showing the collective results of the evening.
11th June 7.30pm – Tony Osler demonstrating ‘Bringing sea to life in watercolour’. Session includes how to form waves from calm to wild, creating mood and atmosphere.
25th June 7.30pm – Members only untutored work evening. Opportunity to follow on from Gillian and Tony’s sessions. Please bring own drawing materials or watercolours (or preferred medium)
Leaping forward to 24th September Carole Massey will be presenting a demonstration plus revealing the topic for her President’s Challenge. This was very popular last year and will no doubt be equally supported by members this year. Winner, chosen by Carole, will be presented with a prize at the meeting on 10th December.
Design a charity Christmas card.
Yes, I know, we are not even into summer yet! However, before moving on to further Group activities, I was contacted by Caroline Sturman of Breast Friends who, after the success of last year, would like to once again sell a Christmas card designed by a local artist to raise funds for the charity.
Further details can be found at breastfriends.co.uk. Deadline for entries Friday 20th July.
Another deadline for you –
Annual Exhibition
Entry forms to be sent to Exhibition administrator, Liz D’arville, by Sunday 30th June. Contact details on form.
Gallery space at Suffolk Living
As reported at AGM, Karen and Francis need to generate more revenue from basement space so it is with regret we will be vacating on – Monday 30th September. Collection of work to be made between 11.00am and 2.00pm
There will be 2 more changeovers before vacating, the next one being – Wednesday 26th June, 10.15 until 11.45am. Details giving your name, title, price, medium and size of work to be exhibited by Thursday 20th June. Details can be left in box under bench displaying Group notices etc or hand in at a Tuesday evening meeting. Pay £1 hanging fee per work when delivering on the 26th of June (max. number is two works)
Second (final one) changeover is planned for Wednesday 21st August, with deadline for entries Thursday 15th August.
Several members have enquired about securing own gallery premises. Unfortunately exploring this option has been like walking through treacle – with rent as such and other expenses, we would need to open at least 5 days per week, 10.00-4.00pm minimum and not ad hoc as was at Bent Hill. However hiring an empty shop for a week is a possibility – if anyone hears of anything which is situated within a reasonable footfall, then please do get in touch.
Remaining positive, since the AGM the committee have met in order to look at way forward with changes taking place. As mentioned earlier, at this meeting additional committee members were co-opted. A huge thank you for stepping forward to ensure the Group continues to provide artists, from novice to professional, to enjoy their journey in art.
As reported at AGM, some time ago Committee did speak about additional exhibitions, one in spring and anther late autumn, giving further opportunities for members to sell their work thus continue motivation to paint/draw rather than work stored under the bed etc, especially for members not exhibiting their work online as really only paint for pleasure and the chance to sell on occasion.
With this in mind, Group’s Annual Exhibition would be classified as our bells and whistles one whereby display boards etc are used which you no doubt appreciate requires more to organise. Additional exhibitions would be using tables and Group’s table top easels (members use own if preferred) plus members produce own labels either typed or neatly written. The same conditions would apply as in Annual Exhibition, ie. book in advance, £1 per work payable on the day, strung and taped accordingly. Unframed work could also be exhibited, same criteria as Annual Exhibition.
Venues currently being explored are Old Felixstowe Community Centre and Harvest House plus with room now downstairs and access via gate in car park, exhibitions are also a possibility at Conservative Club.
142 Gallery, Hamilton Road
Following enquiries by Tracy about using this venue, in principle we have been given a week sometime next year for an exhibition which will include free art workshops throughout the week. Sometime in September Tracy will be contacted with further information.
No doubt other ideas will surface for Group to participate, and I am sure volunteers will be forthcoming to assist to make it all happen.
Now with all these changes and ideas to overcome think a strong cup of tea is called for.
Yvonne
(Chairman)
Mosaic of Zentangle tiles produced during the workshop evening 28th May 2024.