Welcome to the latest edition of our Group Members newsletter starting with Annual Exhibition which once again gave the opportunity for members to showcase and offer their work for sale. It was pleasingly cool inside Trinity Methodist Church Hall so visitors, almost 700, who came through the doors over the five day period could take their time viewing the eclectic mix of work, purchase and vote for their favourite work. This year’s result is …..

• • Anthony Osler’s ,’ Magical Moment’ was the most favourite
  • ‘At the end of the day’, also by marine artist Anthony, next favourite.
  • Joint third was ‘Kiss of light’ by Janet Woodard and ‘Fishing boat’ by Carole Massey.

Anthony will be presented with the Mary Tuffley perpetual trophy which he may keep for one year plus receive a small gift. Mary, a longtime member of the Group, left a bequest to the Group in her will and this is a way of her name and generosity being remembered.

With this being the Group’s 70th Anniversary year, as a thank you to sponsors (unfortunately quite a few less this year) and supporters, we invited them to an informal meeting with soft drinks and nibbles at the church hall. We also welcomed Sharon Harkin, Felixstowe Mayor. A very pleasant evening and good to catch up with various people.

So how many paintings were sold I hear some of you ask?  Happy to oblige with an answer – 38 framed, 26 unframed and one 3D item giving a grand total of 65 works sold. This is up on last year’s total which was 57 items sold. So a pleasing result for not only the artists who sold but also all the hard work for those involved in the preparations.

Collection of unsold paintings went smoothly. However, did anyone pick up an unframed painting by Sheila Wilson with their own by mistake? If it transpires you have please call one of the contact numbers on your programme card. Thankfully this has never happened before.

We would like to thank all who helped in any way to make this event a success from members submitting work through to the all the work beforehand leading up to set up day.

Art of the Prom

A number of you have asked about Art on the Prom. Although despite several enquiries I never received any information. However, I heard unofficially that this event did not take place due to lack of sponsorship, volunteers, and hike in insurance to exhibitors.  A great shame with such an important event on the Felixstowe Peninsula. Maybe next year problems experienced this year will be solved and it will return.

Art at the Beach – Saturday 10th September

You may have heard something about this visual art festival at Beach Street, Felixstowe. This is a new event with over 40 artists displaying their work. Looking at the website regarding this I spotted some art group members are participating plus Lois Cordelia, who has demonstrated on a number of occasions for the Group. We hope she might be able to do so at some time in the future.

Tuesday evening meetings at Broadway House

Resuming these meetings after the August break a reminder that the following meetings in September will take place at Broadway House, Orwell Road, 7.30pm

13th September : Anne Plummer will be demonstrating ‘A fresh approach to mixed medium’

I first met Anne at 142 Gallery in Hamilton Road where I try to pop in each week. It has been a good source of future demonstrators for the Group as well as a great opportunity to look at various artist’s work.

Anne studied A level Art while at 6th form and went on to Bristol to study Manufacturing Systems Engineering, which took her away from painting for a few years, but her drawing and sketching continued. After graduation, a move to rural Essex took her back to painting and, with a life next to the water, encouraged her to paint as a professional artist. This included sailing around Cornwall for 12 years plus an introduction to Chris Insoll at the New Gallery in Portscatho. With his guidance over the years her art progressed. Thankfully (for us!) she returned to Ipswich where she not only continues working on her own paintings but also holds workshops and courses over a wide range of topics.

27th September: Graham Webber will be demonstrating ‘Landscape in oils using 3 primary colours plus white’.

Following Graham’s very popular demonstration last year we were pleased Graham was happy to do a return visit. The topic was chosen to show you don’t need a box full of oil paints to use this medium.

This is followed by a Saturday workshop with Graham on 12th November which only has one space remaining.

Bent Hill Gallery

Next change over is on Monday 26th September 9.30 until 11.30am.

Gentle reminder – To keep things fair, please remember if you submit two paintings this equals two sittings. Most members are doing this but unfortunately not all.

Currently the Gallery open rota displayed for visitors simply says Open. To give a better indication of actual times, when booking your sitting it would certainly help to give the time you will be there. For example, a morning sitting could, with a minimum of two hours, be 10.00am until 12.00pm (or 10.30am-12.30pm) as it is often very quiet any earlier. This will certainly help upon receiving a call when gallery closed and subsequently arranging a time customer can get to gallery when open.

Thursday afternoon painting at Conservative Club (upstairs) 1.00-3.00pm

These sessions continue to thrive with several new members coming along. One such member, Liz, has kindly volunteered to keep the refreshment side of things on track as Maureen has had to stand down due to additional calls on her time elsewhere.

Thank you Maureen for your time and effort and do hope you will be able to come along as and when you are able to, even if just for a cup of tea and chat.

Yvonne

(Chairman)

Enjoy your journey in art