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In February 1960 John
Thirtle, F.R.S.A, formed the Winsham Art Group. He was a
professional artist, recently moved to the Winsham area, who
offered tuition free for a year.
Fifteen members hired
the Jubilee Hall for thirteen weekly evenings. Only two of the
dozen or so original members had ever put brush to canvas before.
They began with
charcoal and white ceiling paper. It was not very long before oils
were attempted. The ceiling paper was sized before being brought
to class and advice about colours and type of paint and brushes
given.
John Thirtle looked
upon this class as an experiment, something he had always wanted
to bring about. His aim was to teach them to SEE, to express their
individual feelings and whilst appreciating the work of others not
to be too influenced by them.
Such was the
enthusiasm of the class that his experiment was to exceed all
expectations and in 1962 they held their first exhibition in the
Jubilee Hall. They were complimented on the originality of their
work, which was spontaneous and refreshing.
Tim Spilsbury took over the tuition the following year and the
group continued with various people giving talks until 1966 when
matters were put on a sound basis with the Winsham Art Club being
formed and a committee elected.
A subscription of five
shillings a year was charged. Barbara Shrubshall was elected
Secretary and continued for twenty years. Doffla Bennett was
Treasurer for twenty one years.
Winsham Art Club – the
present
After many years of relative stability the
turn of the century saw an acceleration of the changes that had
begun to worry the members of the management committee for some
time. The simple truth of the matter was that many of the original
members who had been the backbone of the club for many years were
no longer able to take part due to age and infirmity. This also
applied to the regular tutors who had served the club so well over
the years.
The Club had to change. Art as a hobby was
burgeoning and many more people were painting than ever before.
This was a tremendous opportunity for the club, but it also
brought with it some problems.
Many smaller art groups were springing up,
led perhaps by one artist who provided the tuition. Membership
costs were low because they would meet perhaps in the leaders
home, with no overheads to speak of. It also meant that members
could change groups, or belong to more than one. Nothing wrong
with that, except it created problems for relatively large clubs
such as Winsham with paid Tutors (not very much!) and charges for
the hire of Jubilee Hall.
Winsham Art Club has reacted vigorously to
the challenge, in the short term making use of part of a generous
bequest of £1,000 from a member, the late Dorothy Almack.
The Club now holds tutorial sessions three
times a week, on Tuesday afternoons and evenings, with Gwen
Cubbage and Amanda Tompkins respectively. On Thursday afternoons
we invite guest tutors to run four weekly sessions. The Club also
organises outside painting sessions throughout the summer, and a
Club lunch is held at the Bell on the first Tuesday of each month
throughout the year.
The Annual Exhibition
is held in the late spring, with its preview a major social event
not only for the club but also the village. In 2001 the members
sold a record number of pictures, a testimony to improving
standards of work and the decision to hold the exhibition open
over two days instead of one. In 2002 the Exhibition will run for
three days. It will also be exhibiting at the Winsham Street Fair. |
