It hardly seems like a year has passed since our last exhibition, yet here we are again! It’s the highlight of the club’s year when we, as members, get see each others’ work “in the flesh”, so to speak, whilst visitors have the opportunity to acquire an original piece of art from our talented bunch.
The doors open to the public on Saturday, August 9 until Saturday, August 16 from 10:30am – 5pm daily. Once again, there is a vast range on show of styles, mediums and genres, from abstract to the ever-popular local landscape, so beloved by visitors to our town.
Interestingly, styles are evolving. The club is 64 years old (founded in 1961) and for decades, our artists had mostly produced fairly traditional, figurative work, and lots of watercolours, but lately the trend is for impressionistic or semi-abstract renditions of anything, in a many different mediums, from a landscape to a vase of flowers. It makes sense, in our time of the omnipresent smartphone, with a zillion photos being snapped every day. It’s refreshing to see something unique, interpreted through the artist’s creative eye.
As in 2024, earlier this year the club ran a competition when members were invited to submit a painting that would eventually feature in all its publicity. Members voted, proving how broadly individual tastes differ as it was a really close call. The votes were evenly spread over all 36 entries, the winner taking first place by a single vote! That painting is Rye in the Sky by Elaine Baker – an excellent example of a semi-abstract landscape. The original can be viewed at the exhibition…unless it sells quickly!
The club is honoured to have Richard Adams as its vice president. He is very supportive of the club. This year he has generously donated an original of his work to raffle, the proceeds going towards financing the exhibition, you’d be surprised how much it costs to mount!. The draw will take place at the close on Saturday, August 16. Do visit the exhibition, find out what Richard’s mystery painting is, buy a raffle ticket, have a browse, maybe buy a must-have piece of art and vote for your favourite.
On that subject, the favourite picture vote is an important element as, in some cases, a painting might not have sold, but is nevertheless the public’s first choice. It’s an accolade, a compliment, much appreciated by the chosen artist. It also gives us further valuable insight about what people like in art…although we do know that our youngest visitors will plump for fauna over flora! What will you choose?
Image Credits: Elaine Baker .
This is a super exhibition and another true reflection of the artistic talent within the Rye area. It’s a real joy to visit and the prices are very reasonable, enabling more folk to potentially enjoy a piece of original art. Well done to all who participate and plan and run this Tuesday painters exhibition.Another triumph!