CMSAG2014

12th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION OF THE CRADLEY, MATHON AND STORRIDGE ART GROUP

The Cradley, Mathon and Storridge Art Group (CMSAG) held its 12th Anniversary Exhibition at Storridge Village Hall on Saturday, 25th and Sunday, 26th October 2014.

On the Friday night there was our usual Preview Evening to which we had invited members of the Parish Hall Committee, the Rector 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 and the paintings. It was a very pleasant evening.

This year the weather was good and we had around an encouraging 170 visitors. There was a continual happy buzz throughout. It was helped along by Bill and Maureen’s bacon sandwiches and Margaret Ainscough’s cakes. The "poll" for "the picture you liked best" again aroused intrigue and excitement among the artists and public alike! 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 counted and a "winner" was found. There was a lot of interest and the "contest" was again closely fought. This year Maureen Scott’s Kurdish Chieftain – a marvelously detailed and expressive portrait - got the most votes with Diane Poole’s lovely and colourful collage, The Malverns from Chockbury Lane, second. Barbara Hilton came third again with her charming beach scene, Dervaig Mull. Well done all of you!

This year the refreshments, tea, coffee and cakes and the aforesaid traditional bacon butties, went down well. We had 55 pictures on display, one more than last year. "The standard of work is high" was a repeated comment nevertheless. It just gets better and better!

2014 being the anniversary of the beginning of the First World War the group did another Big Picture. Bill Scott painted moving watercolour depicting symbols of the 3 villages surrounding bright red poppies. This picture was divided into 24 sections and individual members of the group were given a section to paint in acrylics, without conferring, on a canvas which measured 40x50 cm. This meant each artist made their own interpretation of the section (colour, position,etc). They were out of their comfort zone working in a medium strange to most of us. A mighty challenge which has resulted in a huge picture of some 2x3 metres! We hope to display it in Cradley Church this Remembrance week and of course to re-erect it on other suitable occasions annotated with the names of the fallen from the 3 Villages added.

We’ve haven’t held any tutorials this year and that is something to think about for the coming year. The weather was kinder and we held outdoor sessions on the non-meeting Wednesdays. The average attendance at sessions stays around 14 – 15 – a comfortable and happy roomful. 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 session at Storridge Village Hall on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 2 – 4 pm.

WJC