Programmes
List of Programmes
The Society’s regular Programme includes:
September 2023 – May 2024 Weekly (except during exhibitions)
Monday: 2- 4.30 pm ‘Brushes and Biscuits’ (fortnightly) fun with paint. Open to non-members (small fee), Contact Lesley Stevens
Tuesday: 10 -12 noon Portrait Group A Contact Mary Bradley or Zillah Richards 2 – 4.30 pm ‘Inspiration’ – demos, tutorials, critiques, discussions, practical work. You will be informed if you need to bring any materials so please let Suzy know if you are attending. Open to non members
Wednesday: 10 – 12 noon ‘Acrylic Adventures’ Open to non–members (small fee) Contact Lesley Stevens. 2 – 4 pm Portrait Group B Contact Marilyn Dove or Lynda Bell-Mann
Thursday: 10 – 1 pm Guided Development Workshops. Contact Ian Kesterton
Friday: 10 – 12 noon Life Drawing (monthly) Contact Mary Harris
As from October 2023 we will be commencing a series of whole day Saturday Workshops each month open to Members at £25 per day and non-members at £35 per day. See Events Calendar for more details. Contact Joy Field for Bookings
Exhibitions:
Spring – March/April 10-day exhibition open to all members to submit 3 framed works, 3 unframed and cards (including 3D media)
Summer – Mid-August 10-day exhibition open to all members as above
Winter – December 10-day exhibition open to all members as above
(Registration takes place 10 days before the exhibition opens.)
Pop-up Exhibitions: members may book available weekends to run a 2-day exhibition but can install it on the Friday to open later if required
Private Exhibitions: members may book one of four 10-day slots to run an exhibition between June and August
Major Exhibitions
Who To Contact:
- Suzy Phillips
- List Item
There are three major exhibitions every year, Spring, Summer and Winter. They are held in the Society rooms in Sussex House on the Pantiles and normally last for 10 days over two weekends. These are great opportunities to show the variety of mediums that are used, the very different styles and techniques employed and skill levels. We also encourage 3D work such as sculpture or pottery. Giclée prints are also exhibited.
Once a year a theme is suggested. It is not compulsory but the responses have in the past been inspirational, full of imagination and creativity.
All members are invited to submit pictures, usually 3 framed to be hung and 3 unframed which are placed in the browsers. They may also submit cards. They pay an entrance fee which is £4 per framed pictures or £2 per unframed one and £5 for displaying cards.
The Committee will exercise discretion in the selection of submitted work.
Commission of 20% is paid when pictures are sold, there is no commission for card sales.
Members act as stewards up to three times during the exhibition which allows visitors to meet the artists and learn about the society.
Entering pictures in the exhibitions is a great learning experience as presenting the pictures, in mounts if needed and suitable frames can have a very positive effect on the painting.
A loyal team called the “Hanging Committee” organise the exhibitions, arrange and hang the pictures. We are always keen to involve new members in this group.
Thursday Workshops
Thursday Workshops take place weekly at Sussex House from September 10.00 am -1230 pm.
We have a programme which includes themes, some of which are based on the Tuesday afternoon demonstrations and others agreed by members in discussion. There are sessions which involve free choice.
This group has been very active and encouraged large numbers of regular attendees as well as members who drop in for specific themes.
We cover a wide range of topics and most media during each year including such things as use of sketchbook, drawing skills, watercolour, oil, pastel and acrylic painting as well as collage, paint pouring, pen and ink, Chinese art, card making, mounting, framing and exhibiting work.
We have enjoyed putting on our own exhibition with good sales of work and encouraging comments and members who attend the Thursday group are likely to become fully involved in all other aspects of the Society.
We boast some very successful artists as well as gifted amateurs and there is no level of would be artist who would be excluded or feel out of place in an atmosphere of mutual learning, help, sharing of ideas and materials and friendly socialisation.
£3 per session no booking necessary.
Who To Contact:
- Ian Kesterton
Tuesday PM 'INSPIRATION SESSIONS'
Who To Contact:
- Suzy Phillips
For the past few years the Society has had a full programme of events on a Tuesday afternoon. These include demonstrations by a variety of professional artists who cover a range of styles and subjects which they demonstrate using various of media including oils, watercolour, acrylic, pastels, graphite and pen and ink. The atmosphere is informal and members are encouraged to ask questions during the sessions which aim to be informative as well as entertaining and stimulating.
The Tues pm programme also includes: talks, films, visits and workshops led by members and visiting artists on a variety of topics. Cost £3 for members, £5 for non-members.
Weekend Pop-Up Exhibitions
The Society has an excellent location at the end of The Pantiles and offers members an opportunity to hold weekend Pop-Up exhibitions so they can run their own show to promote their artwork.
The exhibition space consists of the 2 Gallery rooms. Members may share the space with up to 2 other members and exhibitions can include: Paintings, Art Photography, Sculptures, 3D pieces and Ceramics. One member will be required to be the link person to arrange the booking and deal with enquiries. Two people will need to man the exhibition during the times advertised. Members may be involved in up to three pop-ups per year.
Costs and Booking
The cost for a Pop-Up is £50 for the weekend. (Artists who are professional exhibiting artists may be asked to pay more which will be discussed with them at the time.) The Society charges a commission of 20% on sales.
Please refer to the full Pop-up conditions on the Society’s notice board.
To book your pop-up dates provide your name, contact details and dates required.
Who To Contact:
- Suzy Phillips
- List Item
Life Drawing
Who To Contact:
- Mary Harris
Friday Life Drawing Sessions take place monthly at Sussex House from September, max 10 people.
Life drawing is a discipline that encourages and improves ‘hand / eye coordination’.
Each session starts with short timed poses of 3 minutes, the artist concentrating on the model, observing weight of the body supported by the spine, angles of shoulders and hips. Then representing the whole body with simple lines to try and capture the basic shapes.
Extending the posing time the artist can begin to measure proportions of head to height and width, as well as the basic shapes of the pose.
More detail can be added as the times are extended, finishing with one long pose of 30 mins.
Charcoal is a very good medium on large sheets of rough newsprint, or cheaper paper so that the artist can use large gestures and not get too precious with small details.
It’s the process that matters rather than the results.
We use several different professional models, who hold some interesting and challenging positions and make us work hard.
Complete beginners are welcome and will need to bring a Drawing Board, Paper (as large as practical, A2) and a light folding easel is helpful, and Charcoal.
This sounds very serious, but is also great fun and a challenge to us all whether experienced, beginner or any stage in between!!
Portrait Group
Sketching and painting portraits is an important skill so 2 Groups meet during the week, on Tuesday mornings and on Wednesday afternoons. Members organise a rota of models to sit for each session or sit themselves. Models are paid a small fee so members contribute to this. There is often the chance to discuss how individual members address problem areas in sketching portraits.
Who To Contact:
- Mary Bradley or Zillah Richards
- Marilyn Dove or Lynda Bell-Mann
Private Exhibitions
Who To Contact:
- Suzy Phillips
All members have the opportunity (with one or more other members) to rent the Gallery for 10 days on dates in July and August to put on their own exhibition at a cost of £100 rent. (The Society will charge 20% on sales.) There are 3 x 10 day opportunities. We can help you to find others to exhibit with.
Outdoor Programme
‘Plein air painting groups are organised fortnightly in the summer during June, July and August. The programme is published in March and has included private gardens, farms, orchards, a brewery, Spa Valley railway, a pub as well as places open to the public such as Teston Park and Bridge.
The process of selection when painting outdoors is a practised skill and often results in stunning pieces which make their way into exhibitions. Working outside in a group like this provides a pleasant chance to get to know other members.
Members are encouraged to recommend places they would like to visit.
Who To Contact:
- Caroline Lippard
Rules for Regular Exhibitions
Society members receive entry forms for all exhibitions.
Three framed and four unframed pictures may usually be submitted.Or up to 8 ceramics/sculptors. It is a requirement that all exhibitors must commit to three turns of duty as stewards. A blank Stewards Rota is put up at the society rooms in the Pantiles two weeks before handing in day.
The submission fees are £4.00 per framed exhibit and £2.00 per unframed item. Members can also show greeting cards – 4 designs of up to 40 cards in total with a fee of £5 due. The Society receives 20% of the price of works sold (excludes greeting cards) to help meet the Society’s overheads. A card machine is available to take on-line sales.
Society members receive entry forms for all exhibitions. Three framed and four unframed pictures may usually be submitted. It is a requirement that all exhibitors must commit to three turns of duty as stewards. Up to 6 Ceramic or Sculptor pieces can be included. A blank Stewards Rota is put up at the society rooms in the Pantiles two weeks before handing in day.
The submission fees are £4.00 per framed exhibit and £2.00 per unframed item. Members can also show greeting cards – 4 designs of up to 40 cards in total with a fee of £5 due. The Society receives 20% of the price of works sold (excludes greeting cards) to help meet the Society’s overheads. A card machine is available to take on-line sales
