CMSAG2011

9th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION OF THE CRADLEY, MATHON AND STORRIDGE ART GROUP

The Cradley, Mathon and Storridge Art Group (CMSAG) held its 9th Anniversary Exhibition at Mathon Parish Hall on Saturday, 22nd and Sunday, 23rd October 2011. It was Storridge’s turn to stage the exhibition but unfortunately, Storridge Hall was not available over the weekend. So Mathon came to the rescue for which we were very grateful! We will be back on track next year with our 10th – yes Tenth! – Anniversary Exhibition to be held where it all started at Cradley Village Hall.

On the Friday night there was our usual Preview Evening to which we had invited members of the Parish Hall Committee, the Rector and his wife and other local dignitaries and friends. Wine and nibbles were served and it was a happy occasion – a chance to chat and enjoy each other’s company. There was a lively buzz and we even sold some pictures!

The exhibition opened on Saturday at 10.30 am and continued until 4.00 pm. And on Sunday we opened from 10.30 am to 4.00 pm. Opening for a second day is still something of an experiment. Last year there wasn’t so much interest on the Sunday. This year, it was a bit better. It was a fine sunny afternoon and there were walkers passing by who were pleased to come in rest, have a cuppa and a bacon butty, and look at our pictures! Indeed, we even sold some pictures to these serendipitous passers-by.

The "poll" for "the picture you liked best" aroused much interest and excitement and that was just the artists! As before, it was not meant to be a vote for the "best picture" but rather the "favourite picture." Visitors were given a raffle ticket and were asked to write on the back the number of their favourite picture. At the end of the exhibition the tickets were sorted and a "winner" was found. It generated a lot of interest and the contest was closely fought. This year Bill Scott’s oil painting of the River Start got the most votes with Wendy Britton’s White Arab second. Both Bill and Wendy are newcomers to our group. Well done!

There was only one craft stall this year but the refreshments, tea, coffee and cakes and the afore-mentioned bacon butties, were popular and made it a pleasant outing for the 100 or so who came to see us. This year we had 71 pictures, a little more than last year. They looked good on the display boards and the walls and the Mathon Parish Hall was a lovely setting for our work.

The standard of work was high was a repeated comment. We certainly seem to have matured since those early days. This year we have had excellent day workshops on painting in watercolours from Jonathon Taylor and Geoff Rowswell. The weather restricted painting outside but we have had very good sessions on the Wednesday meetings. We remain a very friendly and supportive group. If you would like to join us, and you will be made very welcome if you do, come along to a meeting at Storridge Village Hall on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.

WJC