Members receive regular newsletters and
various activities and events take place throughout the year.
These include studio workshops, art holidays in Cornwall (right) and France (below, right), local Outdoor Drawing and Painting Days (below, left) and Day Trips to various painting locations throughout the Summer.
Further information at www.maggieread.co.uk
"MOST IMPROVED ARTIST" AWARD
Each year the Club awards a trophy to the person who is considered to have become the most improved artist over the course of the year.
The award was introduced in 2004 in memory of Maureen Green, a founder member, who sadly passed away in that year.
Past winners of the award, which is usually announced by Maggie Read at the annual
social, have been :
| Year | Winner |
| 2004 | Gladys Reynolds |
| 2005 | Joy Bates |
| 2006 | Brian Ealden |
| 2007 | Sue Pallot |
| 2008 | Bill Clarke |
| 2009 | Jenny Griffiths |
| 2010 | Pat Perrin |
| 2011 | Frank Fuller |
A photograph of Frank Fuller receiving the 2011 award can be seen on our Home page.
ANNUAL SOCIAL
The club held a very successful annual social on 16th December, 2011
at the White Hart restaurant in Pirbright.
An excellent 3-course dinner was complemented by an "art" quiz, the
presentation of the Most Improved Artist award (see section above),
and
a presentation to Maggie Read (right) on behalf of the club for her help and encouragement throughout the year.
In addition, a postcard art competition was held,
whereby every member of the club was asked to
produce a postcard size painting
(any media, any subject), and the results were then judged during
the evening by all those present. The winner was Bill Clarke,
with his picture of a sailing dinghy. A sample of the paintings,
including the winning entry (which is in the middle) are shown left.
ART EVENTS OF INTEREST
SURREY ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS (www.surreyopenstudios.org.uk) :
This event allows visitors across Surrey to gain an insight into the working practices
of various artists, through visiting their studios and viewing finished work,
whilst having the chance to discuss the artist's techniques used in
their creative processes.
The 2012 Surrey Artists Open Studios event
takes place between 9th and 24th June. See Maggie Read's website (www.maggieread.co.uk)
for details of Maggie's studio opening hours.
EDINBURGH Carol Norris writes :
There are so many things to do in Edinburgh and the main Princes Street
is rich with historical buildings, museums and, of course, art galleries.
None more so than the Scottish National gallery - amazingly free of charge
to enter and housing the national collection of fine art. It really was a stunning display in a building
that seemed purpose built for such an array of some of the finest paintings in the world.
Suitably enthused we then travelled a short distance to Leith Docks - home of the Royal Yacht Britannia
and the Ocean Terminal - the largest shopping complex within the city. Whilst the building was uninspiring
and shopping was not high on the agenda, the display of art in the malls was nothing short of superb.
Local art clubs are allowed to display their collections in prominent positions in a very tasteful and impressive way.
Whilst some of the paintings had price tags, the commercial aspect was secondary and the galleries
were a splendid advert for the artistic talent that prevails in Scotland's capital.
PATCHINGS (www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk) :
The Patchings Festival takes place between 14th and 17th June, 2012. The Festival
is known nationally as one of the major outdoor art, craft and design events in the country.
Last year, one of our members, Valerie Tickner, took part and received a "highly commended"
award in the "Leisure Painter" gallery. To see Valerie's work, "Rocks on Maine Coast", click
here.
PIRBRIGHT SCARECROW FESTIVAL :
This annual event has been postponed this year due to the Queen's Diamond
Jubilee. In 2011, the Festival attracted lots of interest in our club (for
more information, see the Exhibition page). Our exhibition included
the "Big Picture", where each member of the Club had painted a piece
of an unknown picture, which turned out to be Renoir's "Luncheon of
the Boating Party".
ART IN ACTION (www.artinaction.org.uk)
19th-22nd July, 2012
This annual event is described as "the best arts event in Britain,
probably Europe, and according to many who can make comparisons, the
world". This year's event will be at Waterperry House, Wheatley, Oxfordshire
between 19th and 22nd July.
THE LIGHTBOX (www.thelightbox.org.uk) :
Currently showing the "Surrey Open Art Exhibition" - a biennial event showcasing many local artists. See the web-site for information on other current and future events.