Summer Exhibition 2024 A Flying Start

The Shropshire Art Society’s Summer Exhibition 2024 has kicked off in splendid style. Eight original artworks were sold during the private preview event, reflecting the exceptional quality of this year’s submissions. Officially opened on Saturday June 22nd, 2024, attendees at the preview were impressed by the diversity and excellence of the works on display, all created by Shropshire artists.

The exhibition features over 130 framed pieces and  60 unframed works, along with a variety of greeting cards, available for purchase. The event is hosted in the beautiful St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury, reknowned for its stained glass and providing a stunning backdrop for the artworks.

SAS 2024 Summer Exhibition Hand-in and Private Preview Event
Summer Exhibition Hand-in and Private Preview Day 2024

This year, the exhibition was inaugurated by Robert Milton, Volunteering Officer for the Churches Conservation Trust. Robert, a pivotal figure in fostering the relationship between the Society and the Trust, has been instrumental in the success of the Summer Exhibition during his 15-year tenure. His work in engaging local communities to support and value their churches has been invaluable, and he spoke passionately about his admiration for the artistic talent in Shropshire. Robert will continue his association with the Society and the Friends of St Mary’s Group after his role with the Trust concludes in six months. His continued support is highly appreciated by the Shropshire Art Society.

Phil Hadley, Chair of the Shropshire Art Society, expressed his gratitude to the volunteers, committee members, and exhibition organisers for their hard work and dedication in helping to make the exhibition such a success.

The Judy Townsend Memorial Prize

Awarded jointly by the Society and the Townsend family and judged by the Townsend family on Monday 24th June, the 2024 winner of the Judy Townsend Memorial Prize is Nicky Lokier for her striking and vibrant portrait titled “Karen”. The Townsends loved the portrait’s strength softened by the eclectic mix of floral designs in its background. ‘The portrait demands your attention when you turn the corner and see it for the first time. It draws you in, you want to know more about the person in the painting,’ said Sally, Judy’s eldest daughter. Congratulations Nicky!

Nicky Lokier with her portrait “Karen”, Alan Townsend and Wilf Langford (President)
Nicky Lokier with "Karen"
Nicky Lokier with “Karen”
"Karen" Winner of the Judy Townsend Memorial Prize 2024
“Karen” Winner of the Judy Townsend Memorial Prize 2024

The Shropshire Art Society is a vibrant community of over 200 local artists and art enthusiasts. In addition to their two annual exhibitions, the Society offers a variety of events for members, including lectures, workshops, classes, sketch and print clubs, holidays, gallery trips, and other social activities throughout the year.

SAS Summer Exhibition 2024, a glimpse
A glimpse of the 2024 Shropshire Art Society Summer Exhibition

The Summer Exhibition is free to the public and runs from June 22nd to July 13th, open daily from 10am to 4pm, excluding Sundays. Don’t miss this opportunity to view and purchase original artwork by talented local artists and to vote for your favourite painting in the People’s Prize, awarded at the close of the exhibition. Visit the exhibition at St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury, and immerse yourself in the creativity and talent of Shropshire’s artistic community.

With thanks to our Exhibition Secretary, John Willetts, and his team and to Tamara Hackett and Frank Hilton for their contributions to this article.

75th Anniversary Autumn Exhibition, the winner!

The Shropshire Art Society’s 75th Anniversary Autumn Exhibition Social Event on Saturday 7th October attracted a substantial turnout, with local artists from across the Shropshire region in attendance along with their guests. This special anniversary showcase exhibition features an impressive collection of artworks contributed by our extensive membership of over 200 local artists.

The highlight of the annual Autumn Exhibition is the presentation of the Walker Harrison Prize Salver, which is awarded to the painting or artwork that best captures the essence of Shropshire’s stunning landscape. This year’s deserving recipient of the 2023 award was Wilf Langford, whose pastel depiction of “the lane to Bromlow Callow” was lauded for its atmospheric and picturesque qualities.

Wilf Langford, winner Walker Harrison Prize 2023, with Corinne Brown and Mike Marriott
Wilf Langford (winner) with Mike Marriott and Corinne Brown, our judging panel this year

Phil Hadley, our Chair, introduced Corrine Brown, Chair of the Belle Vue Arts Festival, who had been invited to preside over the judging of the prize this year. She was joined by Mike Marriott, a former lecturer at the Glasgow School of Art and a member of the Belle Vue Arts Festival Committee. As independent judges, Corrine and Mike had the challenging task of selecting the winning piece from their shortlist of six outstanding works. They explained that they carefully assessed each artwork’s ability to convey the beauty of the Shropshire landscape and the technical proficiency demonstrated — in Wilf’s case, through the beautiful and sensitive use of pastels.

The Lane to Bromlow Callow, Wilf Langford, winner Walker Harrison Prize 2023
The Lane to Bromlow Callow, Wilf Langford, winner of the Walker Harrison Prize 2023
(please forgive the reflections in the glass in this photo!)

During Corinne’s remarks, she highlighted the Shrewsbury Belle Vue Arts Festival, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. She spoke about their commitment to supporting local artists, including an arts competition that showcased the winning work in the window of Shrewsbury’s Soden Gallery for a weekend.

Mr. Marriott provided insights into the judging criteria used by himself and Corinne for our own prize; he emphasised the importance of capturing the essence of the Shropshire landscape as well as demonstrating the technical prowess necessary to earn the coveted Walker Harrison Prize Salver.

Gratitude was extended to Corinne and Mike, as well as all those who contributed to the setup and curation of the exhibition. Thanks go especially to John Willetts, our Exhibition Organiser, and his team of volunteers. Thank you to Shirley Wade for kindly serving refreshments to us all at the Social Event.

The Autumn Exhibition is being held in the magnificent Bear Steps Gallery, a historic medieval hall meticulously preserved by the Shrewsbury Civic Society. On display are 150 framed and unframed artworks, along with an extensive selection of cards available for purchase.

SAS 75th Anniversary Autumn Exhibition
A glimpse of our 75th Anniversary Autumn Exhibition 2023

The Autumn Exhibition continues until 1pm on Saturday 14th October, 10-4pm daily. We’d love you to visit and enjoy our members’ work!

Our glorious Skelwith Paintaway 2023

Note from our Webmaster: I’m slightly late publishing this blog post because we needed to report on our Summer Exhibition first, to get the word out! But, better late than never, here is the news from this year’s May Paintaway to Skelwith Bridge in the Lake District, with many thanks to Beverley Wightman, our Organiser, who planned our great escape perfectly and took care of us all so thoughtfully. She has provided this short report.

Well, what a fabulous week we all had!  Eighteen hardy souls ventured north on bank holiday Monday (hmm… the M6 was… interesting!) but eventually we all got there after some slow motorway driving. The most wonderful weather greeted us – quite unusual in the Lakes – wall to wall sunshine!  I’m pleased to report it remained for the whole week – not one drop of rain appeared. After last year’s trip north at a similar time of year, we were all prepared with winter woollies and waterproofs, but they were definitely not needed, but sun cream certainly was! 

SAS Paintaway 2023 Skelwith Bridge Hotel
The Skelwith Bridge Hotel was our comfortable base

As previously, the welcome at the Skelwith Bridge Hotel was amazing. The staff couldn’t do enough for us and catered for our every dietary need and want. The bar before dinner was our meeting point (I think their bar takings were definitely up whilst we were there!), and the after-dinner gathering for coffee took place in their cosy lounge, a perfect size for us all to sit and be together. Two quizzes were organised during our stay – an art picture quiz, and a music quiz. Some were concerned that recent pop music might be forthcoming, but there was none of that – Beverley on her accordion played snippets of well-known tunes for participants to guess.  A fun time was had by all!

The sketching/painting outdoors was blissful – aided greatly by the weather, and thank you Wilf for leading us with your generous painting demonstration. You always inspire us.

SAS Paintaway 2023 tuition by the river at Skelwith Bridge
Wilf Langford’s demo down by the river, the perfect location

There is something wonderful about standing or sitting in a field next to a rippling river and painting or sketching, and feeling the warmth of the sun upon you. So relaxing!  Chesters café, a stone’s throw from the hotel, did a roaring trade in coffee and cake during our few days there, as did the Britannia Inn at Elterwater, at the other end of the river path (a delightful walk of less than 2 miles).

We were all sad to leave on Friday, especially whilst the weather was so good, and the drive home was again challenging, but it was worth all the effort for such a fabulous week. Roll on next year!

75th Anniversary Summer Exhibition Opens!

Shropshire Art Society Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Spectacular Summer Exhibition

Shropshire Art Society is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 75th-anniversary summer exhibition, featuring an exceptional collection of over 160 original artworks created by more than 50 talented Shropshire artists. The exhibition, held at the historic St Mary’s Church, was launched with a special preview on Saturday, June 24th, exclusively for members and invited guests.

SAS 75th Anniversary Summer Exhibition Preview Event collage
Shropshire Art Society 75th Anniversary Exhibition Preview, Saturday 24th June

The event began with an insightful talk by Dr. Rachael Abbiss, who shared her expertise on the St Mary’s stained-glass project, focusing on music and the Churches Conservation Trust. The delightful ambiance of the occasion was enhanced by the mesmerising performance of Stewart Goodhew, a well-known local jazz musician, pianist, and composer.

About Shropshire Art Society: Shropshire Art Society is a prominent artistic community that fosters creativity and showcases the diverse talents of Shropshire’s artists. With a rich history spanning 75 years, the Society is committed to organising engaging events and exhibitions throughout the year.

Highlights of the Exhibition: The summer exhibition has garnered tremendous support, attracting a large number of art enthusiasts. Phil Hadley, the Society’s Chair, expressed gratitude to the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) for hosting the exhibition for the 12th consecutive year. Appreciation was also extended to John Willetts, who has expertly organised another successful exhibition. Margaret and Malcolm were acknowledged for their efforts in arranging the delicious refreshments.

Opening Ceremony: Dr. Rachael Abbiss, esteemed guest and speaker, inaugurated the exhibition. Dr. Abbiss shared insights into her new role with the CCT, managing a crucial conservation project to preserve and restore 12 historic windows within the church. She commended the Society on the exceptional artwork and the superb choice of St Mary’s Church as a venue, which harmoniously complemented the artists’ creations.

The Historical Significance of St Mary’s Church: Dr. Abbiss highlighted the remarkable history of St Mary’s Church, which was founded in AD965, boasting an Anglo-Saxon foundation, a Norman nave, and a stunning 15th-century hand-carved oak ceiling. The church’s floor tiles, dating back to 1840 before the renowned Minton range was launched, added to its allure. The stained-glass windows, a blend of European and English glass from the 13th century, have garnered worldwide acclaim. Notably, Dr. Abbiss shared the story of a 16th-century window that was recently restored after being transported from St Jacques in Liege, Belgium, in the early 1800s. She highlighted the restoration efforts led by David Owens in the 1800s and expressed the necessity of ongoing restoration work due to unfortunate acts of vandalism.

Engagement and Workshops: Dr. Abbiss emphasised the importance of community engagement activities and shared details about the upcoming Stained-Glass Festival in August 2023. The festival will showcase a variety of artists specialising in illuminated artwork. She encouraged Society members and attendees to explore the hidden gems within St Mary’s Church and take part in the workshops organised throughout the year.

The Exhibition Prizes: The winner of the Judy Townsend Memorial Prize, awarded by the Townsend family and the Society each year, is Lynne Morgan for her painting ‘Flax Mill Façade’.

Flax Mill Facade Lynne Morgan winner of Judy Townsend memorial Prize 2023
‘Flax Mill Façade’ Lynne Morgan, winner of the 2023 Judy Townsend Memorial Prize

It’s number ‘90’ in the exhibition, so look out for it if you visit! The Townsends thought Lynne’s painting to be a brave approach to expressing its popular Shrewsbury subject, the Flax Mill: it focuses on just a section of the Flax Mill wall, prior to the current renovations. This original viewpoint as well as the variety of exciting mixed media techniques used skillfully by Lynne meant that they were drawn into the beautiful multilayered painting. Judy would have loved it, we are all certain. Congratulations Lynne! Meanwhile, if you visit the exhibition, make sure you vote for your favourite painting for the People’s Prize!

The Exhibition Workshops: We are holding drop-in ‘taster’ art workshops for members of the public in St Mary’s Church on Wednesday mornings, 28th June, 5th July and 12th July. Call in and try your hand at something new. All are welcome. Here’s the programme:

Wednesday 28th June 10.30am – 1pm Watercolours with Wilf Langford
Wednesday 5th July 10.30am – 1pm Acrylics with Lynne Morgan
Wednesday 12th July 10.30am – 1pm Coloured markers with Paul Cronin

The 75th Anniversary Summer Exhibition opens Monday 26th June until Friday 14th July admission is free and open daily (except Sundays) from 10am – 4pm.

You can get a flavour of the exhibition from the photo collage below.

SAS Summer Exhibition 2023 collage
Shropshire Art Society Summer Exhibition 2023 and watercolour flowers painted during the first taster workshop held on Wednesday 28th June led by Wilf Langford, our President

Looking Ahead: As the summer exhibition captivates art enthusiasts, the Shropshire Art Society is excited to announce that its autumn exhibition will be held at The Bear Steps gallery in October 2023, promising another extraordinary showcase of local artistic talent. We look forward to welcoming you.

Thank you to Tamara Hackett for the lovely report of our celebrations and to all members who supplied the photos included in this article and on our Exhibitions page. We also thank everyone who has contributed, in whatever way, to staging this wonderful summer exhibition, as well as all who came to the preview event and helped make it such a success.

Our great Gallery Weekend, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne 2023

A group of 25 intrepid SAS explorers headed north on a Longmynd Travel coach from Shrewsbury on Friday 24th March, to Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, for our 3-day Gallery Weekend. 

SAS Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Gallery Weekend 2023 collage 1
Our hotel was close to the Tyne, perfect for views of the stunning bridges

The hotel was great, with very comfortable accommodation and excellent service from a dedicated staff. Arriving at 2pm gave us the afternoon to explore, and a lovely sunny day it was too! The Ramada Encore hotel was ideally placed for a leisurely stroll into the city, or a bus ride for those who preferred. Some participants made their own evening meal arrangements, but two thirds of the group had a very sociable meal together in the hotel’s restaurant. 

SAS Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Gallery Weekend 2023 collage 4
We enjoyed socialising over dinner, breakfast, coffee, tea and cake…

Saturday was art gallery day – special exhibitions, open studios and sumptuous installations awaited us! The Hatton (university art gallery) was first, to view a fabulous exhibition by contemporary artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, followed by the Laing (and a welcome visit to their café for cake and coffee), and then the Biscuit Factory, where there was much to see, including open studios and a number of interesting exhibitions by a variety of artists. 

SAS Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Gallery Weekend 2023 collage 3
Galleries awaited us: the Laing, the Biscuit Factory, the Hatton and more

After another sociable lunch in their café, we headed back towards our hotel and the Baltic Contemporary Gallery, where a huge life-sized installation entitled ‘The Procession’ awaited us, a multi-sensory delight of colour and flamboyance – see the photos below. This was a real treat, and also afforded us some amazing views over the Tyne river with its multiple bridges in view. Another very enjoyable and conversational evening meal followed! 

SAS Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Gallery Weekend 2023 collage 5
‘The Procession’ at the Baltic was a delightful surprise

On Sunday a group of us travelled by bus to Ashington, to the ‘Pitmen Painters’ exhibition, plus an immersive exhibition of life in the mines. In addition, there was a stunning exhibition entitled ‘Wild Northumberland’, which was a delight. Of course, coffee sessions and lunches with plenty of happy chatter took place in their café! 

Some members stayed in Newcastle as there was still plenty to see (for instance the cathedral, museums, bridges, architecture, etc.), some attended concerts (choral music in the cathedral; opera at the Theatre Royal) and some travelled (by bus) further afield to Alnwick Gardens, Hexham and Durham. The choice was always with the participants!

On our last day we had a leisurely morning and plenty of time for last-minute sight-seeing, then a scheduled stop on our return journey at the Angel of the North, the beautiful sunny weather enhancing our photos. 

SAS Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Gallery Weekend 2023 collage 2
And on the way home, the Angel of the North was the perfect ending

We all agreed that this had been a busy but enlightening weekend, with plenty to see for everyone, but above all it was a very sociable event, with plenty of time and opportunity to socialise with colleagues and friends who had a shared interest in art. All in all, a delightful weekend.

Thanks to Longmynd Travel for their excellent service as always. And, to all our members, we hope you’ll be inspired to join us for our next Gallery Weekend!

Beverley Wightman, SAS Gallery Trips Organiser

And we, the SAS Committee, would like to thank Bev for her dedication in making this a fabulous weekend for all who attended (and for her super photos which give a great flavour of the weekend). We couldn’t have wished for more.