January 2024 Newsletter
Posted on Jan 07, 2024
By the time you read this 2023 will be no more.
It was an exciting year for the society but a very tiring one for the committee and friends. We organised more exhibitions and, obviously, prepared, set up and took down said exhibitions at Worcester Cathedral, Shenstone, Weston Park, Himley Hall, Walsall Transport Museum, The Crossings, and the New Art Gallery. Between us we have hung, and taken down, well over 500 art works this year. Not all of these venues were sourced by us, we are now being invited to exhibit.
Alongside the exhibitions we have had our usual monthly meetings, life drawings sessions, social events, Patchings trip and demonstration days.
A partnership has also been formed with Walsall Poetry Society. We were asked to raise an exhibition to celebrate the refurbishment and re-opening of The Crossings gallery space at St Paul’s Church in the centre of Walsall. It was suggested that the poets wrote about some of the paintings and read the works out at the exhibition preview. Certainly, a new venture for us. This was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor of Walsall and it proved to be a great success. We also had two days of demonstrations and poetry reading and music, both of which were very well attended by the public. It was also reviewed on Karma Times and in the Express and Star.
We are a society that is getting noticed for our creativity and, need I say it, hard work.
One of our new members, Eteri Potapova, also wrote about the exhibition.
The Exhibition amazed with the variety of creative ideas and techniques used by the Artists. From classic oil paintings to contemporary experiments with materials, each painting in the Exhibition was an expression of unique personality and artistic skill.
Overall, this Exhibition was a source of inspiration and aesthetic pleasure. It was able to combine various forms of art – from painting to music and poetry. It is a great credit to the organizers of the exhibition and to the Walsall Society of Artists, that they have created a space in which creativity can flourish and Art can flourish.
They gave Artists the opportunity to share their works and convey their inner vision of the world.
I am grateful to every Artist who presented their work at this Exhibition, and to the organizers who made this event possible.
This Exhibition showed that Art has incredible power to inspire, change ideas about the World and evoke deep emotions.
Eteri Potapova
Thank You Eteri
WOW!
Extra’ Annual Exhibition – St Paul’s Gallery
St Paul’s Gallery, The Crossing is also the venue for our Walsall Society of Artists ‘Extra’ Annual Exhibition. This runs until 26th. January 2024. Why not make a point of viewing both exhibitions before they end, have a relaxed walk around and perhaps enjoy a coffee, or even a lunch in the calm atmosphere of The Crossing.
Christmas Meal
Towards the end of November, we had our ‘Festive Meal. Thanks to Elizabeth and Hazel for making all the arrangements. We returned to the Fingerpost in Pelsall as 2022’s meal had been so good. We weren’t disappointed, the food was good as was the company. Just wishmore of you would join us. Next year perhaps!
Annual Exhibition
I’ve been attending the annual exhibitions since I joined the society 20 plus years ago and in my opinion this year’s exhibition is by far the best in all that time. The range of works and mediums used is so diverse and the standard high. This was a commented on by several people at the Preview Evening, which was one of the best attended for many years.
Our thanks go to our very able porters at selection and to Deborah Robinson, Head of Exhibitions, and her team at the New Art Gallery Walsall for curating and hanging our 73rd exhibition.
Selection Day
Porters Cabaret
Exhibition Demonstrations & Poetry Events
Whilst no demonstration is planned at The Crossing there are certainly some taking place in The Community Gallery at the NAG during our exhibition time.
Come along and support your fellow society members, watch what they’re doing and by all means ask questions. (not hard ones though!!)
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE FOR THE ART WORK YOU THINK IS THE BEST IN THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION.
Post your vote in the red box in the gallery.
Thanks go to Alex for the woodworking and Elizabeth the painting of it
The artist with the most votes when the exhibition closes will win the ‘People’s Choice Award’ trophy. Voting slips and posting box are in the Community Gallery.
Society Changes
Much hard work has also gone into the changes made to the way our society is organised/run.
A big change is obvious in our website, it’s been rejuvenated, thanks to a lot of work by Jude Hanly. It’s far more organised and informative. I must admit, I’d reached my limitations with it so, I thank Jude for breathing new life into it. Have a look at it, you’ll see what I mean.
Membership can be renewed, workshops and trips can be booked and paid for via the site. You can also contact the society through it.
So easy. It’s brilliant. It’s moving forward.
Membership
New Members Click on the ‘JOIN’ button, and follow the simple instructions. As we are no longer accepting payment in cash or cheques you now have three options for paying.
1 Card payment in person at meetings.
2 Web online payment.
3 Bank transfer. (details are on the web)
Members will automatically be reminded to renew their subscriptions via email near the anniversary of their previous payment date. Follow the link to pay. After payment your membership number will be sent to you.
It’s so easy I’ve actually managed to do mine!!!
Constitution
Our Constitution has also been simplified (thank goodness). The Constitution lays down the rules by which the Society must be organised and run. Reading through it isn’t as onerous as it was. It’s on the website, have a look at it.
AGM
Please take this as your notice of the AGM on Thursday February 8th 2024. I know, it’s not an enthralling part of the evening but it is a requirement and we do need as many of you to turn up as possible. It is your opportunity to suggest changes to the way the society is run. If you have a proposal to alter or amend any of the society rules submit it, in writing, to our Chair, David McGuire, ten days or more before the AGM. Your proposal will be discussed and voted upon at the meeting. If it is accepted it will come into play in 2025.
It is also your time to put yourselves forward to help with the society. We do need new committee members. If you don’t want to take on a post on the committee you could volunteer to help in a particular area. Please think about it.
Your Society Needs You & Your Skillset
We need everyone to help in the running of the Society, it’s not enough to sit back and reap the benefits. We all offer our time for free but need a variety of skillsets. Are you good with social media, writing blogs, hanging exhibitions, book keeping, organising events, running workshops. Let us know, we are trying to spread the load of work and putting teams of people together so the work doesn’t fall on just a few people, let’s make life easier for everyone giving their time to assist in running the society.
Critique Night
We shall endeavour to get through the business as swiftly as possible to allow our Critique event to begin.
If you would like advice about a piece of work that you may be unhappy about, are struggling with, would like to change. We’re you disappointed not to have your work accepted to the annual exhibition, bring it along to be looked at and gain some helpful and friendly advice.
If anyone else has a written piece to offer please send it in, preferably as a WORD file. It could be about a particular artist, a piece of art, a method used, an exhibition, your art, how/why you paint, draw, pot, sculpt etc. Add some images too.
Finally. There’s no way we Could have had the year we have without your hard work and creativity. You’re the glue that keeps this society together. We appreciate all you’ve done for it in 2023.
Have a great time being creative in 2024!
Best wishes,
Pam.
Quote for this newsletter
“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.”
