Spring Newsletter
Posted on Mar 11, 2024
There’s a bright light outside my window highlighting nodding snowdrops, a profusion of hellebore and a blooming winter clematis clambering higher and higher up the neighbour’s trees. Goodness me, it’s the sun. What a difference it’s making to the colours and shapes in the garden. Think it’s time to get more creative.
Looking over the art calendar I produce for myself covering the months between our annual exhibitions, it’s evident that members of Walsall Society of Artists don’t need to be told to get creative.
From the Spring of 2023 we have had solo, group and society exhibitions at the Fingerpost Pub, Worcester Cathedral, Walsall Transport Museum, Weston Park, Shenstone Library, Himley Hall (twice), The Crossings (twice), and to finish the year, the New Art Gallery Walsall (NAGW). That’s a lot of preparation, delivery, selecting hanging, taking down and collecting. It’s kept the ‘hanging committee’ busy. Almost to exhaustion at times, but it’s been worth it. Congratulations for being so creative.
73rd Annual Exhibition
An even bigger CONGRATULATIONS is needed when reference is made to our 73rdAnnual Exhibition at the NAGW. I think that when we saw the submitted works on selection day, we felt it was going to be a good exhibition, but, when we saw the works exhibited, we knew it was the best exhibition staged by the society. The comments and footfall have backed that up.
Read visitor comments here
Whilst bathing in the glowing reports we shouldn’t forget the work of Deborah Robinson and her team at the New Art Gallery Walsall for the excellent curation of the exhibition and the behind the scenes work, checking submission forms, selection day, catalogues, labels, publicity, radio broadcasts. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has helped in making this our best exhibition yet.
The Preview Evening was made even more special by the awards the society were able to give out due to the generosity of sponsors (mentioned in the last newsletter).
People’s Choice Award winning artwork – ‘A Night in the Forest’ by the talented artist, Jean Walker
The final award, The People’s Choice, was presented to Jean Walker at the offices of Fraser Wood Estate Agents, Walsall.
Jean’s painting, ‘A Night in the Forest’, gained a record number of votes from visitors to the exhibition.
In all there were a total 644 votes cast during the exhibition (181 last year). Jude Hanly’s work, ‘Early Morning Mist Rising’ was pipped by Jean into second place and ‘On the Edge’ by Simon Tew was third.
Poetic Link
What a surprise to walk into the Community Gallery in January for the first of the ‘Art meets Poetry’ sessions and see so many people gathered to look at our works and listen to the fantastic words of the Walsall Poets. It was both exciting and moving and hopefully there will be similar events in the future. (You can see more on the website)
No doubt the increased footfall and sales, were due to a combination of factors; sponsorship of artwork, artist demonstration days, two successful ‘Art Meets Poetry’ events and a Family Community Art Day, all held at the New Art Gallery in the Community Gallery.
Obviously, none of this would have happened without members and friends giving up their time to volunteer for these activities. So, a very big thank you to all involved in making our 73rd exhibition the success it has been.
Monthly Meetings
January Demonstration
Having been unable to attend the first two monthly meetings of this year I can’t pass any personal comment about either of them. However, I have seen the finished work from Jess Pritchard. What an accomplished drawing of a Kingfisher, but then I wouldn’t have expected anything less of Jess who is multi award winning wildlife conservation artist. I’m just so sorry I missed the evening.
AGM & Critique
I hope the critique went well in February as it has become a useful and informative event.
The Critique was run by Jude Hanly & Gwenda Jones, we had several pieces of work to critique and it was opened up to the floor for members to give suggestions. It was a lively evening after the arduous task of holding the AGM.
It seems that the AGM was a more positive affair than usual looking at a list of 2024’s committee. I don’t think it’s disloyal of me to say that it’s good to see changes, new faces, new ideas, new energy is just what’s needed. I’d reached the extent of my ability to take the website further but just look at what another member (Jude) has accomplished. I think it’s brilliant.
BUT the committee members shouldn’t have to shoulder all the work, we’d like other willing members to become more involved, get to understand the roles of the committee, job share and spread the workload. So, are you good at social media, inputting data, marketing, accounts, organising events, plus many more? If yes, we can use your skillsets. Please contact the Committee leader in the department you are interested in giving your assistance.
Art Trips & Social Events
I know that venues for possible days out are being looked at but it would be useful if we knew the type of events/venues that would be of interest to members. We’d like to do more than Patchings.
- Have you been to any sculpture gardens?
- Have you been to the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy. (it’s fantastic, eye opening)
- Have you been to The Tate in Liverpool?
- Have you been to William Morris’ house near Oxford?
- Have you been to The Internation Water Colour Masters at Lilleshall Hall? An amazing event to book online, look under trips on the website to book your seat!
- Have you been to the Anderton Boat Lift or Foxton Locks? Foxton Locks is a Grade II listed site, home to the longest, steepest staircase flight of locks in Britain.
- Have you been to the Iron Works in Shropshire?
These are just a few visits I’ve thought of while sitting here writing. Do any of them interest you?
Do you have any others you could suggest?
I wouldn’t mind the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao but I think it may be out of our time scale!!!!
International Women’s Day
As it was International Women’s Day this week it is good to see that our chair has written an interesting piece about ‘Women Who Shaped Modern Art’.
Given the time and space he could have mentioned many more.
All the Best, Pam
Quote for this letter –
“Normality is a paved road. It’s comfortable to walk but no flowers grow on it.” Van Gough
Newsletter Editor Pam Renhard
