Spring 2014 Workshops and Classes at English Bridge Workshop

These Shropshire Art Society sessions got off with a swing in 2014 at The English Bridge Workshop.

Our first Saturday Workshop focused on the work of two distinctively different artists, Kurt Schwitters and Bridget Riley. Responding to their work made for a very enjoyable day and some original outcomes. The second Workshop took us to slightly more familiar territory, with the chosen artist being Gwilym Pritchard, with his strong paintings of Welsh Landscapes, subject matter well known to many of us. Our warm thanks are again due to Lynne and Mick for their thoroughly researched inputs and enthusiastic leadership. Saturday 1st March will see us reflecting on and responding to the work of David Bomberg.

We have so far enjoyed one well attended Printing Workshop, now kindly organised for us by Suki White.

Our very well subscribed Wednesday Classes started up again in February with three weeks of ‘Pastels with Panache’, ably led by the Society’s Chairman, Wilf Langford. With him Class members are currently enjoying the experience of pushing the boundaries in this exciting medium. The Wednesday Classes for 2013/14 conclude with an exciting three weeks with Di Purser tackling ‘Towards Abstraction’.

Collage of pastels classes SAS 2014
Pastels classes with the Shropshire Art Society

Happy New Year!

It’s a brand new year for the Shropshire Art Society we know, but we can’t get started on reporting this year’s events until we have told of our flurry of Pre Christmas activity, which began with a very enjoyable Gallery Trip to Oxford.

On a sunny and balmy late October day, nearly fifty members and friends explored the many delights of this ancient city and enjoyed the rich fare on offer at the Ashmolean Museum. Many of us tackled the stunning but often challenging artefacts in the Special Exhibition of the work of Henry Moore and Francis Bacon. A great experience, which stimulated some lively discussion!

Image of SAS Gallery Trip to Oxford 2013
Outside the Ashmolean, photo thanks to Rob Leckey

In early December, forty-five of us enjoyed our Annual pre-Christmas Lunch, again this year in the splendid surroundings of the Tea Rooms at the Birmingham City Art Gallery. This, after a morning visit to the Open All Media Exhibition at the RBSA Gallery, where work by some of our own members was on show. In the afternoon, some of us were well rewarded for choosing to visit the impressive exhibition in The Gas Hall, of the work of 20th Century international Photo Realist painters.

Our final December Saturday Workshop ended in a flourish, with hot mince pies and a drink, while we warmly thanked Lynne and Mick for providing us with such a stimulating programme. This resumed again early this month, when we examined and responded to the very different approaches of Bridget Riley and Kurt Schwitters.

We now anticipate the other delights of the rest of our Spring programme.
Happy 2014 to all our artists!

Vicki Norman demo a great success for Shropshire Art Society

Our November painting demonstration was another very successful occasion at the Meole Brace Trinity Centre.

Some 30 of our members watched and listened intently as our guest, Vicki Norman, working in oils, created a splendid landscape image. While she worked, she skilfully drew our attention to matters of design, perspective, the handling of light in the painting and the subtleties of colour mixing. All present appreciated Vicki’s willingness to talk about her work in a very open and generous way. Our thanks to Rob Leckey for organising another enjoyable and informative demonstration. And a big thank you to our members who provided the delicious cakes for the refreshment break.

Collage of Vicki Norman SAS demo 2013
Vicki Norman demo to Shropshire Art Society – a few photos by Alan Townsend

And here is the finished painting – as promised!

Image of demo painting by Vicki Norman, November Light SAS 2013
‘November Light’ by Vicki Norman, the demo painting

Vicki, a Bridgnorth-based former gallery owner, now offers a range of classes and courses, and information is available on her website www.vickinormanstudio.com – thank you Vicki for an excellent afternoon!

Ready for the Autumn Exhibition at the Bear Steps, Shrewsbury

Image of SAS Autumn Exhibition set up team 2013
All ready for the Autumn Exhibition 2013

Thanks to a grand effort this past weekend, a wonderful range of pictures have now been hung and are ready for the the Shropshire Art Society Autumn Exhibition, open to the public from Monday 4th November. The exhibition runs until Saturday 16th at the Bear Steps Gallery, Shrewsbury. Please come and enjoy our work, and perhaps buy a painting made by a Shropshire artist. There are both framed and unframed works available. We shall be delighted to welcome you.

Shropshire Art Society Autumn Exhibition
Bear Steps Gallery, Fish Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1UR
Monday 4th November – Saturday 16th November 2013
Opening: Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm (not Sundays), and closing at 3pm on final day.

Exhibition Awards:
The R Harrison and H Walker Prize will be awarded at this exhibition for the picture that, in the opinion of the adjudicator, best reflects the Shropshire countryside.

*** UPDATE *** The winner of the Reg Harrison & Harold Walker Salver Award at the Autumn Exhibition was Helen Sample for her oil painting titled ‘Bromlow Callow’. Congratulations Helen!

Stan Kaminski demo – a double winner!

The Shropshire Art Society was delighted to host Stan Kaminski RBSA, AFC, who gave an excellent demo, which was enjoyed by all those attending. Stan, a professional artist, used subtle watercolours, demonstrating many techniques, to produce a fine landscape painting.

Collage of SAS Stan Kaminski painting demo 2013
Stan Kaminski at the Shropshire Art Society and Shirley with her prize

Shirley Charman, for the second time, had her name drawn out to take away the artist’s demo painting –  a double winner!

Our next demo will be by local artist Vicky Norman on Friday 22nd November.