COPIED FROM THE FIRST FEW WARMINSTER ART SOCIETY MEETINGS
Transcribed from hand written ledger.
At Mrs Hendry’s house, 41 North Row, Warminster
20th February 1987
Present: Audrey Pollard, Gwenneth Mason, Edith Hendry, Stan Gunby, Ken Woodcock
Stan Gunby proposed that the members present form themselves into an Art Society for Warminster, the main objects to be:
1. To hold exhibitions of work of members.
2. To arrange outdoor painting sessions.
3. To hold periodical meetings for discussions, lectures and demonstrations.
4. To organise such other events the members desire.
The proposal was passed unanimously.
Stan Gunby suggested that before the Society is open to membership, an endeavour should be made to increase the members by invitation of twelve to twenty of the more experienced painters in the area.
The next meeting was fixed for 8th March.
At Mrs Hendry’s house, 41 North Row, Warminster
20th February 1987
Present: Audrey Pollard, Gwenneth Mason, Edith Hendry, Stan Gunby, Ken Woodcock
Stan Gunby proposed that the members present form themselves into an Art Society for Warminster, the main objects to be:
1. To hold exhibitions of work of members.
2. To arrange outdoor painting sessions.
3. To hold periodical meetings for discussions, lectures and demonstrations.
4. To organise such other events the members desire.
The proposal was passed unanimously.
Stan Gunby suggested that before the Society is open to membership, an endeavour should be made to increase the members by invitation of twelve to twenty of the more experienced painters in the area.
The next meeting was fixed for 8th March.
20th March 1987
At Mrs Hendry’s house, 41 North Row
Present: Gwenneth Mason, Edith Hendry, Ken Woodcock, Stan Gunby. Audrey Pollard was unable to attend due to illness.
It was unanimously decided that the five original members should form themselves into a formation committee. Stan Gunby took the chair.
Ken Woodcock informed the Committee that he was willing to put at the disposal of the club his personal reservation for an exhibition of paintings at the Library during August subject to the consent of the Librarian.
This offer was accepted.
Ken Woodcock volunteered to undertake organisation of the Exhibition and this offer was accepted.
Ken Woodcock proposed that the name of the Society should be *“The Warminster Society of Artists”.
Stan Gunby proposed that the August exhibition should be used as a means of attracting new members. Accepted.
Next Meeting 6th April 1987 * see later minutes 5th June
At Mrs Hendry’s house, 41 North Row
Present: Gwenneth Mason, Edith Hendry, Ken Woodcock, Stan Gunby. Audrey Pollard was unable to attend due to illness.
It was unanimously decided that the five original members should form themselves into a formation committee. Stan Gunby took the chair.
Ken Woodcock informed the Committee that he was willing to put at the disposal of the club his personal reservation for an exhibition of paintings at the Library during August subject to the consent of the Librarian.
This offer was accepted.
Ken Woodcock volunteered to undertake organisation of the Exhibition and this offer was accepted.
Ken Woodcock proposed that the name of the Society should be *“The Warminster Society of Artists”.
Stan Gunby proposed that the August exhibition should be used as a means of attracting new members. Accepted.
Next Meeting 6th April 1987 * see later minutes 5th June
5th June 1987
At Edith Hendry’s house 41 North Row
Full attendance
Officers: It was decided to make the following appointments:
Stan Gunby Chairman and Treasurer
Ken Woodcock Secretary
Exhibition. To cover the cost of rental of the Library i.e. 4 weeks @ £7.50 per week - £30, it was decided to charge a hanging fee of 50p per picture plus an addition of £1 to the commission charged by the library ie. 15%. This would yield for 50 pictures hung, £25 plus (assuming 15 pictures sold) £15 = Total receipts £40 which covers the library rental and gives £10 towards advertising.
Stan Gunby suggested that the name of the Society be changed to “Warminster Art Society”. Accepted.
Stan Gunby proposed that the renewal date for subscription be advanced to 1st April. Accepted.
Stan Gunby said he would write to the Marquiness of Bath advising her that when properly established we would invite her to be president.
Stan Gunby said he would try local firms to see if it were possible to get sponsorship. Also to the Mayor for assistance from Town Council Funds or from the Dewey Trust. It was clear that if assistance were not obtained, finance would be a matter of difficulty.
Stan Gunby suggested that we should have a private viewing party. Some members expressed doubt about the advisability, partly on financial grounds and the proposal was withdrawn.
It was decided to open a Banking Account to be operated by the signature of any two of three members. Accepted. Members nominated were Stand Gunby, Ken Woodcock, Edith Hendry.
Costs of Advertising and Printing were discussed. Decided to advertise in Wylye Valley Life and Warminster Journal.
At Edith Hendry’s house 41 North Row
Full attendance
Officers: It was decided to make the following appointments:
Stan Gunby Chairman and Treasurer
Ken Woodcock Secretary
Exhibition. To cover the cost of rental of the Library i.e. 4 weeks @ £7.50 per week - £30, it was decided to charge a hanging fee of 50p per picture plus an addition of £1 to the commission charged by the library ie. 15%. This would yield for 50 pictures hung, £25 plus (assuming 15 pictures sold) £15 = Total receipts £40 which covers the library rental and gives £10 towards advertising.
Stan Gunby suggested that the name of the Society be changed to “Warminster Art Society”. Accepted.
Stan Gunby proposed that the renewal date for subscription be advanced to 1st April. Accepted.
Stan Gunby said he would write to the Marquiness of Bath advising her that when properly established we would invite her to be president.
Stan Gunby said he would try local firms to see if it were possible to get sponsorship. Also to the Mayor for assistance from Town Council Funds or from the Dewey Trust. It was clear that if assistance were not obtained, finance would be a matter of difficulty.
Stan Gunby suggested that we should have a private viewing party. Some members expressed doubt about the advisability, partly on financial grounds and the proposal was withdrawn.
It was decided to open a Banking Account to be operated by the signature of any two of three members. Accepted. Members nominated were Stand Gunby, Ken Woodcock, Edith Hendry.
Costs of Advertising and Printing were discussed. Decided to advertise in Wylye Valley Life and Warminster Journal.
17th July 1987
At Edith Hendry’s house 41 North Row
Present – Full attendance.
Ken reported that he had approached Wilbur of Touchwood re sponsorship and informed that the idea was enthusiastically supported.
It was also reported that the Warminster Council had agreed to allow us rent free accommodation at Dewey House. These two events transformed the financial situation and active discussion ensued about the Preview Event, printing of invitation cards for the event, the provision of wine.
Stan Gunby said he would contact the following for publicity for the Exhibition and for enlistment of new members: Stan Gunby reported that Lady Bath had declined our invitation to be involved with our Society
Warminster Journal Radio Bristol
Wylye Valley Life AWR Radio Swindon
BBC Scene West Western Daily Press
HTV – ITV Wiltshire Times
Len Carmichael and Phillip Allen were admitted to membership.Date of Next Meeting not fixed.
After the meeting an agreement was prepared formalising Touchwoods agreement to sponsor. It was made to run two years for £50. This was paid immediately in cash. Pat Green was unanimously accepted as a founder member.
At Edith Hendry’s house 41 North Row
Present – Full attendance.
Ken reported that he had approached Wilbur of Touchwood re sponsorship and informed that the idea was enthusiastically supported.
It was also reported that the Warminster Council had agreed to allow us rent free accommodation at Dewey House. These two events transformed the financial situation and active discussion ensued about the Preview Event, printing of invitation cards for the event, the provision of wine.
Stan Gunby said he would contact the following for publicity for the Exhibition and for enlistment of new members: Stan Gunby reported that Lady Bath had declined our invitation to be involved with our Society
Warminster Journal Radio Bristol
Wylye Valley Life AWR Radio Swindon
BBC Scene West Western Daily Press
HTV – ITV Wiltshire Times
Len Carmichael and Phillip Allen were admitted to membership.Date of Next Meeting not fixed.
After the meeting an agreement was prepared formalising Touchwoods agreement to sponsor. It was made to run two years for £50. This was paid immediately in cash. Pat Green was unanimously accepted as a founder member.
Founder Members at 31 July 1987
(Since membership is without qualification the enrolment of new members will not be recorded in these minutes. The Membership Secretary – Audrey Pollard keeps adequate record of the membership.
Stan Gunby
Ken Woodcock
Audrey Pollard
Gwenneth Mason
Edith Hendry
Len Carmichael
Jane Parsons
Susannah Yeatman–Biggs
Maureen Oliver
George Berrington
John Nankivel
Phillip Allen
Pat Green
(Since membership is without qualification the enrolment of new members will not be recorded in these minutes. The Membership Secretary – Audrey Pollard keeps adequate record of the membership.
Stan Gunby
Ken Woodcock
Audrey Pollard
Gwenneth Mason
Edith Hendry
Len Carmichael
Jane Parsons
Susannah Yeatman–Biggs
Maureen Oliver
George Berrington
John Nankivel
Phillip Allen
Pat Green
COPIED FROM THE FIRST WARMINSTER ART SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 16TH DECEMBER 1987
Handwritten by Stan Gunby
Dear Member
We have now come to the end of our first session. I am happy to report that all our undertakings have been successful. The lectures and the studio evenings were well attended and warmly applauded and the studio evenings seem to be developing a hard core of supporters who attend with regularity and I think I can say, with enthusiasm. Our first coach outing (to the royal West Academy Exhibition of Art in Bristol) at one time seemed as if it would be our first loss maker but finally left Warminster almost full. It appeared that those attending thoroughly enjoyed themselves and found the Exhibition most rewarding. We shall certainly repeat this visit next year.
The Xmas Social was very well attended and passed most happily. The spread of food provided by the members made a splendid sight. Many thanks to all who contributed and also to those who gave raffle prizes. I should mention the prize donated by Fred and Linda (Touchwood), since it remained unwrapped and largely unnoticed. It was in the form of a very fine table easel. I envy the lucky winner. The raffle produced a very welcome profit of £30, and the wine raffle just covered the cost of the wine. Here I should mention that Ken and I were invited to the Frome Art Society’s Xmas Social, which although organised differently to ours, was a very happy occasion. A liaison is developing between our two Societies which must be beneficial.
And now follows the programme for the first three months of 1988.
LECTURES all at Dewey House
Friday 8th January 7.30 pm Jim Dales BA (Hons)
The Story of the Impressionists. This talk will describe their struggle in a period of major social and political upheaval. It will look at their techniques, use of composition, colour and paint techniques.
Friday 5th February 7.30 pm Bernard Cooper Med LRAM
A short talk which discusses a few well know paintings through the eyes of a musician, illustrated by slides and musical recordings.
Thursday 3rd Marsh Leonard Thatcher FRSA recently senior lecturer in design at the London Institute will talk about design and its application to composition in pictures. He will discuss the relationship of parts to each other and to the whole and the importance of negative shape.
STUDIO SESSIONS AT DEWEY HOUSE will continue on Friday 18th January when Sue Waterford will again be posing for us. I am sure those of you who were present at her first visit will look forward to this occasion with much pleasure. We are hoping to book her also for a date in February and again in March. We have also engaged another young lady to pose for the 12th January. As before we shall charge a fee of 50p where paid models are engaged. Also in the near future we hope a young lad will be sitting for us. Alternating with models we aim to provide stimulating still life subjects.
Concurrently with the above starting 15th Jan we are setting up a session for beginners in the small room. Perhaps those who would like a revision of basic principles would like to join in.
All the studio sessions start at 7 pm and will have a half time coffee break.
PURCHASES. Touchwood Westbury have extended the discounts they will offer to members. Additional to the 10% on framing they now offer discounts on purchase of artists’ material. 5% up to £10, 10% over £10. We would encourage members to give all possible support. (not applicable to credit card purchases)
HOLIDAYS. The Frome Art Society are organising holiday to Florence by coach with magnificent drives through the Alps. Start 31 May. Duration 11 days inclusive of travel, 7 days in Florence. Half board 3 star accommodation £280. I have information sheets. Those interested please apply with SAE. Myself and another member will be going. Join us.
OUTDOOR PAINTING in the summer months. We are beginning to formulate plans and would welcome suggestions from members. Please do not hesitate to write on this or any other subject concerning the Society. We wish to know the views of members to help us in our planning.
EXHIBITIONS. We have arranged for two exhibitions in 1988, the first in August and the second in November. We therefore urge you to draw and paint, draw and paint, at every opportunity. Be bolder, more delicate, more colourful, more subdued, more expressive, more subtle as the subject demands and let us have even better paintings in the 1988 exhibitions than we had in 1987, praiseworthy indeed as many of them were.
On behalf of the Committee I wish all members a Happy Xmas and New Year.
Stan Gunby
We have now come to the end of our first session. I am happy to report that all our undertakings have been successful. The lectures and the studio evenings were well attended and warmly applauded and the studio evenings seem to be developing a hard core of supporters who attend with regularity and I think I can say, with enthusiasm. Our first coach outing (to the royal West Academy Exhibition of Art in Bristol) at one time seemed as if it would be our first loss maker but finally left Warminster almost full. It appeared that those attending thoroughly enjoyed themselves and found the Exhibition most rewarding. We shall certainly repeat this visit next year.
The Xmas Social was very well attended and passed most happily. The spread of food provided by the members made a splendid sight. Many thanks to all who contributed and also to those who gave raffle prizes. I should mention the prize donated by Fred and Linda (Touchwood), since it remained unwrapped and largely unnoticed. It was in the form of a very fine table easel. I envy the lucky winner. The raffle produced a very welcome profit of £30, and the wine raffle just covered the cost of the wine. Here I should mention that Ken and I were invited to the Frome Art Society’s Xmas Social, which although organised differently to ours, was a very happy occasion. A liaison is developing between our two Societies which must be beneficial.
And now follows the programme for the first three months of 1988.
LECTURES all at Dewey House
Friday 8th January 7.30 pm Jim Dales BA (Hons)
The Story of the Impressionists. This talk will describe their struggle in a period of major social and political upheaval. It will look at their techniques, use of composition, colour and paint techniques.
Friday 5th February 7.30 pm Bernard Cooper Med LRAM
A short talk which discusses a few well know paintings through the eyes of a musician, illustrated by slides and musical recordings.
Thursday 3rd Marsh Leonard Thatcher FRSA recently senior lecturer in design at the London Institute will talk about design and its application to composition in pictures. He will discuss the relationship of parts to each other and to the whole and the importance of negative shape.
STUDIO SESSIONS AT DEWEY HOUSE will continue on Friday 18th January when Sue Waterford will again be posing for us. I am sure those of you who were present at her first visit will look forward to this occasion with much pleasure. We are hoping to book her also for a date in February and again in March. We have also engaged another young lady to pose for the 12th January. As before we shall charge a fee of 50p where paid models are engaged. Also in the near future we hope a young lad will be sitting for us. Alternating with models we aim to provide stimulating still life subjects.
Concurrently with the above starting 15th Jan we are setting up a session for beginners in the small room. Perhaps those who would like a revision of basic principles would like to join in.
All the studio sessions start at 7 pm and will have a half time coffee break.
PURCHASES. Touchwood Westbury have extended the discounts they will offer to members. Additional to the 10% on framing they now offer discounts on purchase of artists’ material. 5% up to £10, 10% over £10. We would encourage members to give all possible support. (not applicable to credit card purchases)
HOLIDAYS. The Frome Art Society are organising holiday to Florence by coach with magnificent drives through the Alps. Start 31 May. Duration 11 days inclusive of travel, 7 days in Florence. Half board 3 star accommodation £280. I have information sheets. Those interested please apply with SAE. Myself and another member will be going. Join us.
OUTDOOR PAINTING in the summer months. We are beginning to formulate plans and would welcome suggestions from members. Please do not hesitate to write on this or any other subject concerning the Society. We wish to know the views of members to help us in our planning.
EXHIBITIONS. We have arranged for two exhibitions in 1988, the first in August and the second in November. We therefore urge you to draw and paint, draw and paint, at every opportunity. Be bolder, more delicate, more colourful, more subdued, more expressive, more subtle as the subject demands and let us have even better paintings in the 1988 exhibitions than we had in 1987, praiseworthy indeed as many of them were.
On behalf of the Committee I wish all members a Happy Xmas and New Year.
Stan Gunby
