CMSAG2008

6th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION OF THE CRADLEY, MATHON AND STORRIDGE ART GROUP

The Cradley, Mathon and Storridge Art Group (CMSAG) held its 6th Anniversary Exhibition at Storridge Village Hall on Saturday, 25th October 2008.

The night before there was a Preview to which we had invited members of the Parish Hall Committee, the Rector and his wife and other local dignitaries. Wine and nibbles were served and it was a very pleasant evening.

The exhibition opened at 10.00 am and continued till 4.00 pm. Margaret Ainscough and Philippa Lowe were in charge of refreshments and served coffee in the morning, followed by lunch and afternoon teas. There were craft stalls supporting our exhibition as well as cakes for sale. We had hung some 60 pictures. They looked good on the display boards and the walls, and the Hall looked very impressive. For this year, Jeff had made for us two racks in which we can put unframed but mounted paintings. This was a new venture and received a lot of interest. Many of the visitors to the Exhibition said what a good standard the work was and a number were sold.

As at last year’s Exhibition, there was a continual buzz of conversation from the constant stream of visitors who enjoyed the exhibition and the chance to meet friends and have a coffee or tea or lunch in pleasant surroundings.

It’s hard to believe that we have been going for 6 years. Once more the old adage, time flies when you’re enjoying yourself, has proved itself. We have been a busy year too. We have had another visit from Carl March who led a two day course at Warner’s Farm and Lower Nupend and we were grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cutler and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wynn James for allowing us to paint in their beautiful grounds and, not least, for providing shelter from the inclement weather.

Our numbers remain steady at around 20 and we get regularly 12 to 15 at each session at Storridge Village Hall where we meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 2 pm. We have had instruction from Ros Rowberry and other instructors but generally we take it in turns to provide a still life subject for the session. In the summer months, weather permitting, of course, (and it didn’t this year) we have gone to a local site such as Old Country or someone’s garden.

We’re a mixed bunch of all standards with one thing in common. We like to paint or draw! So if you come into that category and would like some company to paint with, then why not join us?

Next year, for the 7th Anniversary Exhibition, we hope to be back at Cradley Village Hall.

WJC