Reflecting on the first Six Months of 2025

The first six months of the year has flown by brimming with exciting events and achievements and some great demonstrations.

Behind the Scenes

Steve Cook (Programme Organiser) is busily working on what to include in the programme for next year by monitoring what we seem to enjoy seeing and doing at our monthly meetings. Steve took over this important task from Alan Calvert in March this year. Steve is well placed for this role as he has been working with Artists in the area for a long time and has his finger on the pulse of the local Art World.

We have also welcomed a new member to the Committee Tracy Garnett who will be helping Cathy Holmes with some Event management. 

I would personally like to say a big thank you to Steve for all he has done for the Society since taking on this role.  And thank you to Tracy and Cathy for stepping forward. We still have a vacancy on the Committee if any member is interested.

Exhibitions Success

Well done to those who sold paintings at the Dock Museum Exhibition! In today's climate selling art is a major achievement. But, the struggles to get work out there has definitely not dented the quality or enthusiasm of people creating original Art.

To those who did not sell work people saw your work and noted your names for times when they are ready to buy art, many viewers just appreciate your work when they are on public display marvelling at the work you have personally created.

Faiqa did a great job of promoting individual artists on Facebook. Congratulations are due for every member who participated in the 2025 Exhibition to showcase our artists work there was some fantastic Original Artwork displayed. Well Done!

The Artists who gave time to meet the public by having artists in residence days also got the word out there that some fantastic art is being produced in this area. So, thank you to those who took time out to promote art. Some weekends are busy other weekends are quite in the Dock Museum. But all who gave their time are appreciated.

The first six month ended on a high for Barrow in general with the return of Dave's Day. Our Exhibition at the Dock Museum was replaced by the Dave's Museum which is definitely worth a look at. There is a photo of Graham Twyford (Barrow Society of Artists Art Advisor) with Dave amongst many other inspiring stories of Dave's life. There is even some of Dave's Artwork!

Paula Martin (Paula Marie Art) created a pencil drawing of the Hairy Bikers, Dave and Simon, that was auctioned at a fundraiser dinner on the have a Dave Day weekend.

Coming Soon

Behind the scenes we are now looking at where we are next going to hold our annual exhibition to show case Members work. We also have a table for Art in the Park in September in Ulverston and I am trying to arrange a plein air meet up in August on Piel Island for those interested, preferably a weekend has been the call. I will let you know more on this at the end of this month.

Change to Programme

Next month the programme has been changed as Andy Curry Scarr is no longer available due to a recent job change and moving. We wish him good luck in his new adventure. 

The demo for the month will be replaced with 'It's Not Such a Still Life' organised by Steve Cook. The idea is that artists bring things to paint or draw, and these are set out on tables. The artists then move around the tables at timed intervals. It is like speed dating but with art being created not dates. It was well received last time we did it.  I sincerely hope you participate. The idea is to get people drawing and painting things they would not normally do. And results in a fun night. There will of course be the usual coffee, tea and biscuits interval, if your not to engrossed in creating.

This Month

This month's demonstration is on Monday July 7^th and is a workshop by Marilyn Hale, a glass fusion Artist. For further info see the website events page then click the link button.

There is no Life Drawing this month. There is a break from life drawing as the summer months can get busy for Artists, so we take a break from life drawing until September.

If you are interested in attending a demo or becoming a member just go to the contact us page and send an email from the link. The membership fee for the final six months of the year is now £10 because the membership year runs from January to December.

Have a great time over the Summer Months, hope to see you soon at one of our events.

Marina

Chair of Barrow Society of Artists.