Birth of Venus

Winning painting in the Sandro Botticelli competition, by Brian Eley (c)

For the Art Session on Thursday 24th Jan we were looking at the works of Sandro Botticelli. Nine of those present created their own works inspired by the artist or based on one his works and we all voted at the end of the evening for the winning painting. Brian Eley created this version of Venus and won a DVD of painting tips kindly donated by the SAA.

Sandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus was painted in tempera on panel.  The size was over 2.7 by 1.7 metres.

Ponches Estruval Art Exhibition

The Dompierre sur Authie and Ponches Estruval Festival runs from 31st May to 2nd June and covers the villages of Dompiere and Ponches in Picardy, about an hour's drive due south of Calais. When Anne Howard and I went previously, in 2010, we displayed work in the small village church of Ponches Estruval where 2 classical concerts took place over the weekend. We also attended a much larger concert featuring dutch, english and french musicians in the large church in Dompierre sur Authie, a welcome and presentation ceremony with the mayor, were treated to a barbeque and chips and were guests at the Festival Dinner and entertainment (Scottish drum and pipe band from Boulogne and an accordian band) in a farm barn in Ponches.

The link between Arlington and Ponches Estruval is a cultural exchange forged between the 2 church parishes with the help of Interreg funding in 2008. 

 

We invited musicians and artists from the region, and the chair of Les Amis du patrimoine Ponchois et vallée d'Authie, to attend and take part in the Arlington Arts Festival in 2011, and once again we have been invited to send artists to this year's Festival Franco Anglais. The organisers have also booked the Cajun Dawgs, the dance band that impressed them at our Arlington Arts Festival, to perform at their Festival Dinner.

For any artists interested in taking part in the festival, you will need to arrange your own transport but accommodation will be provided by the hosts - Anne and I stayed with an english couple in the village who fed us very well. The exhibition will take place in the church alongside the concert - I am waiting to hear which church - and, if it is the same set up as when Anne and I went, you hang work in the church when you arrive on Friday afternoon and take it down after a concert on Sunday afternoon. There is no fee to take part, you can make a donation if you sell some work. Anne and I  sold three of the pictures that we took with us. All work should be priced in Euros and purchases are made in cash in euros.  We have the offer of 3 screens which will hold a total of 10 to 12 average sized paintings, I have been told. The chair, Michele, has asked for some miniatures, icons and sussex landscapes, but I am sure she would be happy with other work too, so long as it is suitable for display in a church.

When I have more information I will post it here, but if you are interested please let me know because the hosts need to arrange accommodation.

I can not volunteer to take other artists' work with me to display this year as I will have very little room in the vehicle because I shall be travelling with the Cajun Dawgs and all of their instruments!

Josie

Demonstrations coming up

We have the following 2 demonstrations lined up for 2013:

March 14th
Hazel Barker
(acrylic - mediterranean landscapes - square format)  

April 25
Ben Ecclestone
(at present in the Birley Centre in Eastbourne)

More details to follow.

Apologies for the confusion regarding Art Session dates in January and February. There WILL be a session on Thursday 17th Jan but there will be NO session on Thursday 21st February.
Check the EVENTS page for details (so far) of forthcoming Art Sessions.

Change to Art Session 17th Jan

17th Jan - The hall is NOT booked out to Arlington Parish Council as I had previously thought so we can have our usual Art Session and I suggest a theme of "Wassily Kandinsky".

AGM Agenda

AGM Agenda

Arlington Village Hall

Thursday 7th February 2013

7pm

1. Those present / apologies for absence
2. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes
4. Annual Reports – presentation by members of the Committee
5. Accounts – presentation by the Treasurer
6. Election of Committee / Officers
7. Review of the Constitution and fees of the group
8. Any Other Business
9. Date of the next Annual General Meeting

Meeting should conclude by 8pm

We're in print!

We're featured in the latest SAA magazine, Paint!

It's an article about our involvement in the Art In Empty Shops project in Hailsham High Street. The project is still going but I have stepped out of co-ordinating it. If you are interested in taking part you can contact Cllr Steve McAuliffe through Hailsham Town Council

I'll bring our group copy to the next meeting or you can see it on the SAA website.

January 2013

Happy New year everyone!

Our first Art Session at Arlington Village hall is on Thursday 10th January - all welcome! The suggested theme is Paul Gauguin. Either choose one of his works as inspiration for style or subject, or just look at his life for a bit of inspiration. There's a slideshow of his work on this site http://www.paul-gauguin.net/slideshow.html

We have been once again invited to send artists to take part in the Art Exhibition at the annual Ponches Estruval Arts Festival in Picardy, France, from 31st May to 2nd June. If you would like to come and bring some of your work, please do let us know. Members of the Arts group may get some assistance with travel costs from the group, all accommodation and food is provided by the hosts in France.

Anne Howard and I attended a couple of years ago and the whole event was wonderful, the exhibition was inside the church in Ponches, very well attended, and we made some sales. That time there was no commission on sales but there may be this time - all those details have yet to be discussed so just let me know if you are available and keen to take part as soon as possible.

As you can see from the poster, the Cajun Dawgs are playing and they will also be playing for our Arlington Arts Festival in June.

Dec 2012 - Feb 2013

ART SESSIONS at Arlington Village Hall, 7-9pm

In the event of bad weather such as SNOW please check the website or call me to check if the session is going ahead before leaving. www.arlingtonartsgroup.co.uk

All welcome, no need to book, just turn up. Bring your own materials and equipment.  Untutored.     

6th Dec - suggested theme: "Get knotted" . £2.50

THURS  13th Dec - XMAS open evening 

No painting session, just a social event with some live music. All welcome. FREE.

Members: Bring some paintings and other crafty bits to display and hopefully sell!  Please also bring some nibbles (eg sausage rolls, crisps, dips - we have lots of mince pies!) and any alcoholic drink you may want - we are providing hot drinks and soft drinks.

PLEASE COULD YOU LET US KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING AND IF YOU ARE BRINGING ANY VISITORS.

10th Jan - suggested theme: "Paul Gauguin" . £2.50

17th Jan - NO SESSION - hall booked out to Arlington Parish Council [CORRECTION!! There WILL be a session - suggested theme, Wassily Kandinsky]

24th Jan - suggested theme: "Sandro Botticelli" . £2.50. COMPETITION

31st Jan - suggested theme: "Andy Goldsworthy" . £2.50

7th Feb - AGM - provisional date, TBC. ALL WELCOME. Free entry.

14th Feb - suggested theme: "Andy Warhol" . £2.50

21st Feb - suggested theme: "Roy Lichtenstein" . £2.50 [CORRECTION!! There will be NO session on this date]

As you can see, I have suggested looking at the works of particular artists each week. Perhaps find an image by that artist and paint your own version or paint your own picture in the style of that artist, or just let yourself be inspired by that era or genre. Please suggest some more artists for future weeks.

We have not had an Artist of the Month for a while so if you would like to volunteer to bring your art along one week to show the group and to give a brief talk about your 'artistic journey', let a committee member know and we'll book a suitable date.

Camilla is arranging the demonstrators for the year so if there is someone you would particularly like to see at one of our art sessions, do let us know.

Our theme tonight was Moonlight, luckily - I set that theme weeks ago! And what a fantastic moon we've seen for the last 2 nights. Next week the theme is 'Get Knotted!', make of it what you will. Then on 13th Dec is our Christmas Open Eve - social do, all welcome. Free. Art Group members can bring and display their work, priced in case folk want to buy. Bring some drinks and or nibbles to share and a small fun item for a Christmas Raffle.

Also, this weekend,1st and 2nd Dec, come and see our decorated Christmas tree, resplendent with hand made and hand painted artistic decorations, this weekend. part of the Arlington Christmas tree Festival. Also a small display of our work alongside the other craft stalls.

 http://stpancrasarlington.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/christmas-tree-festival-details.html

Art in the Haven

This Saturday, 24th Nov, will be the Combe Haven Defenders 'Walk Eat Draw' event. 
Meet Crowhurst Church 11.00a.m. (train arr Crowhurst from Hastings 11.02, so nip down to the church at the bottom of the hill, you'll catch it!). Guided walk/sketch opportunities follow then eat at the village hall. Hot food from 1.00pm and draw/paint/ til 5.00pm. Trains back from Crowhurst at xx.46 past each hour.
http://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com

ART SESSIONS at Arlington Village Hall, 7-9pm:
All welcome, no need to book, just turn up. Bring your own materials and equipment.
Thursday 15th Nov - NO ART SESSION!!

THURS  22th Nov-WORKSHOP - ALL WELCOME. Artist Alison Cotton will be giving a brief demonstration then a  workshop on painting landscapes in watercolour. Bring your own materials and brushes. Alison will bring some photos but you can bring your own if there is one you would particularly like to paint. £5 visitors, £4 AAG members (£2.50 regular attendees to the Arlington Art Sessions). Under 16's half price.

THURS  29th Nov - "Moonlight" - untutored, £2.50. Bring pics and decorations for festival.

THURS  6th Dec - "Get knotted" - untutored, £2.50

THURS  13th Dec - XMAS open evening - no painting session, social event. All welcome. FREE. Members: Bring some paintings and other crafty bits to display and possibly sell.

Please also consider coming along to one of Josie's final tutored sessions at Gallery North, just £6 per person - see below.

PLEASE...
do make some decorations for the Arlington Arts Group Christmas tree which will be on display in the St Pancras Christmas Tree Festival on 1st and 2nd Dec. Anything arty will do - small paintings on strings, painted baubles, knitted, sewn, glued or otherwise hand crafted items too! You get them back afterwards or you could sell them at our Christmas Open evening on 13th Dec.
We still need more volunteers to help with the refreshments in the village hall for the festival so please do get in touch to let me know if/when you can help. There will be crafts on sales in the hall AND AAG members are invited to display a painting or 2 each (depending on space) in the committee room, no charge, they can be for sale - if you do make a sale you might like a donation to St Pancras Church.
WE NEED THE DECORATIONS AND YOUR PAINTINGS ON THURSDAY 29TH NOV - BRING TO THE ART SESSION. 


Josie's tutored sessions - just a few left!!
All welcome - please call to book your place: 01323 485153

TUESDAY 13th Nov, 6.30-8.30pm

Gallery North, High St, Hailsham
£6 per person

Birds or fish . Any medium, concentrating on movement of birds in flight or fish in water. Bring reference pictures and your choice of materials.

MONDAY 19th Nov, 2-4pm

and
TUESDAY 20th Nov, 6.30-8.30pm

Gallery North, High St, Hailsham

£6 per person
Stained Glass window' style paintings.
Bring A3 paper or card, pencil, either watercolour or acrylics, black acrylic ink, rigger brush / fine detail brush or mapping /dipping pen, coloured pencils.  Reference picture (landscapes, flowers, trees and waterfalls all work well).

MONDAY 26th Nov, 2-4pm

and
TUESDAY 27th Nov, 6.30-8.30pm

Gallery North, High St, Hailsham

£6 per person
Trees and rivers. Acrylics and Mixed medium.   Acrylic paints, coloured tissue paper, PVA glue, brushes, jam jar to mix glue, glue spreader or brush, pencil, A3 or larger heavyweight board or canvas board - primed. 

Hailsham Shop Windows

See info here.  If you would be interested in helping out with coordinating this project, please do get in touch.

OTHER EVENTS:

Charity Jazz Night for DEMELZA with the Pete Willson Quartet at the Underground Theatre, Eastbourne. Fri 23rd Nov, 7.30. £10 tickets from Friends of Demelza (Hailsham), 01323 844 020 or email

Dicker Cabaret at Polegate School, 23/24/30 Nov, 1st Dec. Tickets £8 / £17.50 available from Hailsham Jewellers in Hailsham High St or on 01323 840 048 or reserve online:  http://dickerplayers.blogspot.co.uk/

Pauline Townsend of Hailsham And District Twinning Association says: I have now had it confirmed that the Art/artists weekend [to Gournay en Bray in France] is definitely 1/2/3rd March 2013. We are unsure as  whether we will all travel in own cars/car sharing etc or whether we will hire a small Town minibus. All travel costs will be shared between passengers.

Hailsham & District Twinning Association are holiding a Cheese and Wine Annual General Meeting on Friday 30th November at 7.00 pm This is at the Hailsham Town Council Office.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TRAVELLING TO FRANCE AND TAKING SOME OF YOUR ART, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH PAULINE.

Hailsham Twinning Association have links with Gournay en Bray in France who would like some Hailsham (and area) Artists to visit Gournay next year in March/April for a weekend. They would like artists to take their paintings to exhibit. If they could get a small party of interested Hailsham artists to go over they might be able to take a mini bus.   Anyone interested, get in touch and I'll pass your details to Pauline townsend. The Arlington Arts Festival dates are set for 15th to 23rd June 2013 - full details will soon be on the AAG website including opportunities to exhibit in the annual art and craft show. The Art in Empty shops project in Hailsham High Street is continuing, with the next changeover planned for 16th Nov. If you are interested in putting together a window display to stay in place for approximately 8 weeks, please get in touch. There will be a Christmas Tree Festival in Arlington including a small show of work by Arlington Arts Group on 1st and 2nd December - see www.stpancrasarlington.blogspot.co.uk for details.

Arlington Arts Group   All sessions are £2.50 adults, £1 accompanied under 16's (unless otherwise stated) and take place at Arlington Village hall. No need to book, just turn up. Bring your own materials. UNTUTORED.   Annual membership fee payable in February. All sessions are on Thursdays 7-9pm.

THURS 25th Oct - "Pumpkin" THURS 1st  Nov-"Crystal" THURS 8th Nov - "Fire" THURS 15th Nov - NO SESSION THURS  22th Nov- WORKSHOP - ALL WELCOME Artist Alison Cotton will be giving a brief demonstration then a  workshop on painting landscapes in watercolour. Bring your own materials and brushes. Alison will bring some photos but you can bring your own if there is one you would particularly like to paint. £5 visitors, £4 AAG members (£2.50 regular attendees to the Arlington Art Sessions). Under 16's half price. THURS  29th Nov - "Moonlight" THURS  6th Dec - "Get knotted" THURS  13th Dec - XMAS open evening - no painting session, social event. FREE. Hailsham Art Group   All sessions are £6 and take place at Gallery North, 70 High St, Hailsham. Bring your own materials. TUTORED by Josie Tipler. Book your place in advance.   Monday sessions are 2-4pm. Tuesday sessions are 6.30-8.30pm. www.hailshamartgroup.blogspot.com