| Winsham Art Club
In February 1960 John Thirtle, F.R.S.A, formed the Winsham Art Group. He was a professional artist, recently moved to the Winsham area, who offered tuition free for a year.
Only two of the dozen or so original members had ever put brush to canvas before. They began with charcoal and white ceiling paper. It was not very long before oils were attempted. The ceiling paper was sized before being brought to class and advice about colours and type of paint and brushes given. John Thirtle looked upon this class as an experiment, something he had always wanted to bring about. His aim was to teach them to SEE, to express their individual feelings and whilst appreciating the work of oth ers not to be too influenced by them. Such was the enthusiasm of the class that his experiment was to exceed all expectations and in 1962 they held their first exhibition in the Jubilee Hall.
Fifteen members hired the Jubilee Hall for thirteen weekly evenings. Only two of the dozen or so original members had ever put brush to canvas before. They began with charcoal and white ceiling paper. It was not very long before oils were attempted. The ceiling paper was sized before being brought to class and advice about colours and type of paint and brushes given.
John Thirtle looked upon this class as an experiment, something he had always wanted to bring about. His aim was to teach them to SEE, to express their individual feelings and whilst appreciating the work of others not to be too influenced by them. Such was the enthusiasm of the class that his experiment was to exceed all expectations and in 1962 they held their first exhibition in the Jubilee Hall. They were complimented on the originality of their work, which was spontaneous and refreshing.
John Thirtle
Tim Spilsbury took over the tuition the following year and the group continued with various people giving talks until 1 966 when matters were put on a sound basis with the Winsham Art Club being formed and a committee elected. A subscription of five shillings a year was charged. Barbara Shrub-shall was elected Secretary and continued for twenty years. Doffia Bennett was Treasurer for twenty one years.
In 1970 John Jowitt became tutor and by this time many new people had come to the village and it was necessary to limit membership to thirty with Associate membership limited to ten. Subscriptions in 1 972 were fifty pence for full members and thirty pence for associate members. Classes were changed to afternoon when the light is better.
After John Jowett's retirement Sue Iredale and then Sphillipa Colby took over tuition for two years each 'and in 1990 Gwengar Smart became tutor. On her
retirement the class was split into two afternoons a week, one run by Bert Wood the other by Marjorie Williams. Today Bert still teaches the Tuesday class and Les Toulmin takes the Thursday class.Over the years many outings were arranged and regular coffee mornings were held at the Bell Inn in Winsham when members were encouraged to bring a picture based on a chosen subject. This continues to date and is still popular.
In 1999 an evening class on Tuesday was started with Gwen Cubbage as tutor. This was by popular request in order to include some younger members who had commitments during the daytime. At the same time a Junior Art Club was formed for the children, tutored by Sheila Joyce. This has proved very popular and the numbers have grown so rapidly that other members of the club have volunteered to help and the venue has been changed to the school to make it an after school activity although still run by the Club. The children also exhibit at the Annual Exhibition, usually held in the spring. Other activities include participation in the school's May Fair and the biannual Street Fair when we have a stall selling small pictures and cards. |
