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The Ruby Anniversary, which we all worked so hard to get organised, has now come and gone but what an amazing public response we had to our exhibition. The weather was absolutely atrocious but still the people of Marple and surrounding areas came out to support us.
I hope everyone liked the red theme we chose for the Ruby Anniversary, from our paintings to our clothes. The Marple Review said they particularly liked, and I quote, “one of the sweetest paintings was of an Austin Ruby 7, painted by Anne Denise Wright”. We had red poppies, red phone boxes, red letterboxes and many other paintings depicting the red theme and I’m sure everyone enjoyed looking at them as much as we enjoyed painting them.
Ann Woodward's Aix en Provence |
Rosemary Powell's Peverill Castle |
In the vote for the people’s choice, Rosemary Powell, with Peverill Castle, and Ann Woodward, with Aix en Provence, were joint first. Eileen Hirst who came first last year was voted equal third with Warm Reflections, Venice and Donkey’s 1,
Llandudno.
Warm Reflections, Venice |
Donkey's 1, Landudno |
I would like to thank everyone who came and supported us and look forward to seeing you all next year.
The Society of Marple Artists was first formed in 1968 by a keen group of amateur artists and the group still continues to meet every Thursday evening at the Methodist Church on Church Lane in Marple. We now hold around 50 meetings a year, for an annual subscription of £15.
Tom Brereton was the first Chairman of the Society and his wife Maureen was Treasurer. This photo of them both was taken at the party after our 40th Anniversary exhibition in 2008. Elizabeth Finn was the original Secretary, Vernon Noble was the Publicity Officer and Councillor Sandell was President. Our most famous artist, Donald Rayner RBEA, RI, and FRSA, was also a friend of L. S. Lowry, who actually attended several exhibitions.
Tom and Maureen Brereton |
Mrs. N. Smith (Secretary), L.S. Lowry (Hon. M.A), Donald Raynor
(President) taken at the 5th Annual Exhibition in 1973 |
Meetings were held at Marple Cricket Club in an upper room and fees were 25 shillings per annum, plus 2 shillings per attended meeting. The group started with 17 members and this rose to 47 in the first year. We now have 120 members with a 5-year waiting list! Mellor Art Group was formed from a previous waiting list and now has a full membership of its own.
The very first exhibition was held in Marple Council Offices and 74 paintings were displayed but I don’t know how many were sold. Today’s exhibitions are always very well attended and people know they have to get there early to purchase as the artwork sells very quickly. I think our exhibitions are now a main event on the Marple calendar and we certainly get tremendous support from the public.
The exhibition is generally a showcase for the work that members have produced during the year and I know that to sell a painting, especially if it is your first one, is a tremendous feeling and spurs us all on with enthusiasm to create our next piece of work.
The society’s programme is planned to give an interesting base, mainly for painting and drawing. Models are arranged and talks and demonstrations are given. Workshops are held periodically to help the beginner, or anyone lacking in confidence, as well as to give wider opportunities to the more experienced. However, many weeks are also kept free for members to do their own work, sometimes out of doors, with help and advice being freely exchanged.
The Society also has a close association with Romiley Young Farmer’s Show. This began in 1983 when Jane Atherton approached Steve Abbott, who was then Chairman, to judge the art section of the show. Steve’s involvement has grown since then and he now has a very active part in the organising of the art section for adults and children. He also gets a lot of support from members of the Society who supply works of art and help in erecting the exhibition and stewarding over the two days of the show.
This year’s public vote winner at the RYFS was Svetlana Roberts with a coloured pencil drawing of a cat’s face and Anne Denise Wright came third with her watercolour of an Austin Ruby, “In Good Nick”.
Svetlana Robert's Cat |
Anne Denise Wright's "In Good Nick" |
Dot Goodwin came first and second in the photographic section of the show.
In the children’s section Adam aged 3 years came first and his older brother Euan, aged
5 years, came third. They are the children of Adrienne Rowley, who is one of our newer members, and I’m sure she was justly proud of them.
The overall winner of the children’s section was Elizabeth Roberts who is Svetlana’s daughter (what a talented family!) She was presented with a cup that was newly donated to the show by Mrs. Maureen Schofield of Romiley, who played a great part in the activities of the show over the years. She had recently passed away and made a bequest for a cup to be presented as a prize for the best in the children’s section of art. She hoped that this would promote children to paint and draw and of course they would have the cup to own for a year. Both her sons were there when Elizabeth was presented with the cup for the first time. I’m sure it was an emotional and proud time for them both to see the legacy that their mother had left.
This year the RYF show went ahead despite the weather and I think most people thought they were having a Glastonbury experience due to the mud. The organisers were brilliant though, as tons of bark chippings went down to soak up the water and plenty of 4x4’s and tractors were on hand to get cars on and off the fields.
A number of society members went along to the opening of the Iron Bridge in Brabyns Park. The Society of Marple Artists helped raise funds for the Iron Bridge by donating paintings, which were auctioned off and raised just over £900. I would like to thank Peter Clarke for mentioning us in the opening speech and especially for thanking Malcolm Melia who initiated the idea. The bridge of course looked absolutely splendid and is a credit to all the people who worked so hard to bring it to its present state of beauty.
I would also like to thank Mark Whittaker who not only helped with the Iron Bridge project but also puts this page for the Society of Marple Artists together for us.
Finally I would like to say what a warm and friendly group of people they are that make up the Society of Marple Artists. For those who are on the waiting list, I’d say it was worth the wait and for those who are in the group; well we are enjoying the journey.
Lynn Daley (Chairman).
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