Our Members social event on the last Thursday of March was very enjoyable, and we had an excellent turnout.
More than sixty people came when Roy counted, but a few had dropped in and dropped out again, and other arrived later, so it was a flexible and fluid count, rather like paint.
The Bring and Buy sale was full of things you really knew you needed, but couldn’t actually think of when you would use them. I suspect the donors had the same problem when they originally got them! The frames went well, and many were picked up, inspected, then taken over to the ‘framing clinic’ to see if they passed muster for the exhibition requirements. The ones I liked didn’t, as they were too small for the Hillier Gardens events, but would be fine on our invisible-easels for a show at the hall. Many people took the opportunity to acquire for a small donation, artists materials they’d seen in demonstrations, but had never used themselves.
The ‘framing clinic’ answered all sorts of queries about the group, exhibiting, papers, and other framing queries. It was really appreciated by us less experienced artists to have the chance to talk to someone not under pressure to receive artworks, and talk about the think that we weren’t sure of. Or were completely flummoxed. We are flummoxed no more!
Thank you to the catering team for keeping us supplied with drinks and nibbles, and to my companions for a lovely chat.
We rounded off the evening by a presentation from the Mayor, who kindly handed Roy and Gill the portrait of himself done by Adebanji Alade last September. We had clubbed together to buy it for them in thanks for all the work they’ve done for the group. We donated around £700 to the mayor’s charities. Thank you, everybody, for your contributions.
The Mayor then surprised us by giving gifts of flowers and chocs to the winners of his Christmas card competition. We had announced these at the Christmas social, but it was lovely to see the winners rewarded in person by the mayor.
We are planning to repeat this event on Thursday 26th March 26, so put it on your calendars now!