Hundreds of artwork on show at annual Stratford Art Society summer exhibition at King Edward VI School
THERE was laughter, fizz and prize-winning artworks on show on Tuesday night’s opening of the annual Stratford Art Society summer show at King Edward VI School.
The society has been attracting members since starting in Stratford in 1959, making this its 65th year.
The summer show is the highlight of the year – but there are monthly art competitions and weekly events, including artist demos and talks on history of art. Members include amateur and professional artists, as well as those who don’t dabble themselves but are just keen on art.
“For me it gives me peace,” Mike Salmon, membership secretary, tells the Herald during the launch evening.
He joined the society four years ago. “I started painting when I retired at the age of 70. I thought, why not? I’ll give it a go. I’d never painted in my life before. It gives me peace. I spent 50 years running around all over the world working in high-pressure business. It’s just nice to relax. I paint everything from the Avon to puffins.”
Mike says anyone is welcome to join the society and find peace, or whatever floats their artistic boat.
“There’s no pressure – you might want to join just for the many trips we go on. Come along and find out what we’re about.”
It’s not quite all just fun though, there are competitions too. And the annual show sees awards given to artwork in various categories.
This year’s winner of the President’s Prize Trophy (presented by Andris Ievins) went to Prickly Pears in Sperlonga, Italy by Isabel Cooper. It is a painting that’s wonderfully redolent of summer holidays in Europe.
Not surprisingly artist Isabel reveals her inspiration came during a trip to Italy.
She tells the Herald: “I was standing at the top of the cliff looking down at the sea, and these prickly pears – fico d’india, as they’re called in Italian – were just looking so glorious. They were all in full bloom, and the sun was just catching them. It was just irresistible. And I thought, hmm, I can feel a painting coming on.”
Isabel is a former maths teacher, but growing up was influenced by her artistic mother. She says of being a member of the art society: “It’s really lovely, because obviously you get this opportunity to exhibit, and we do trips and workshops and all sorts of other things. It’s also just meeting with other artists and exchanging ideas.”
Around 800 original works of art, from photography, digital art to paintings, created by around 300 members will be on display at KES, Stratford, until 25th August, open from 10am to 5pm. All the work is for sale.
