History of Warminster Art Society
Warminster Art Society originated in 1987 from an idea by two friends, Stan Gunby and Ken Woodcock.
Stan and Ken contacted local artists and painting groups with their idea. They toured the countryside, producing a list of places to visit for outdoor summer painting. Weekend courses were organised and more knowledgeable members offered instruction at indoor studio sessions, held at first at Dewey House, then St John's Church Hall, and finally at the present location, Warminster Park Community Centre (formerly Lakeside Centre).
It developed into a well thought out programme of events which still works today, including twice yearly exhibitions, frequent workshops and demonstrations by professional artists, and outdoor painting.
STAN GUNBY
Stan matriculated from Fulham Central School with art as one of the subjects. While working, he studied in his spare time for qualifications as a company secretary and accountant. After a career in management, Stan retired early to care for his wife Phyllis who had acute arthritis. After Phyllis died, Stan helped to set up Warminster Art Society, becoming its first Chair, a position he held for 10 years. Until only a few years before his death, he could be found at the studio sessions, arriving on his bicycle balancing all his painting equipment, ready for whatever subject was set up for the afternoon. One of his paintings was accepted for the permanent exhibition at Longleat. He died in April 2015, a few months short of his 105th birthday, leaving two sons, two granddaughters and five great grandchildren.
KEN WOODCOCK
Ken passed away in March 2015 and many members have fond memories of his time with us. Ken gained a scholarship to Art School aged 13 and was a commercial artist at 17. When the studio where he worked closed he became an x-ray technician/radiographer with RAMC. He was demobbed in East Africa and worked as field officer in the Overseas Civil Service moving on to work as a biologist for Shell Research before retiring in 198l. It was then that Ken returned to his first love, drawing and painting, and practised as a semi-professional artist. He spent a number of years as secretary of the society before moving with his wife and family to Plymouth where he continued to paint. He was an excellent artist, working in pastels, never failing to produce wonderful paintings which always sold at exhibitions. Members of the society possess some of his works and they were seen in a tribute corner at our 2015 Spring Exhibition.
Early records of the society can be seen on the Archive page.
Stan and Ken contacted local artists and painting groups with their idea. They toured the countryside, producing a list of places to visit for outdoor summer painting. Weekend courses were organised and more knowledgeable members offered instruction at indoor studio sessions, held at first at Dewey House, then St John's Church Hall, and finally at the present location, Warminster Park Community Centre (formerly Lakeside Centre).
It developed into a well thought out programme of events which still works today, including twice yearly exhibitions, frequent workshops and demonstrations by professional artists, and outdoor painting.
STAN GUNBY
Stan matriculated from Fulham Central School with art as one of the subjects. While working, he studied in his spare time for qualifications as a company secretary and accountant. After a career in management, Stan retired early to care for his wife Phyllis who had acute arthritis. After Phyllis died, Stan helped to set up Warminster Art Society, becoming its first Chair, a position he held for 10 years. Until only a few years before his death, he could be found at the studio sessions, arriving on his bicycle balancing all his painting equipment, ready for whatever subject was set up for the afternoon. One of his paintings was accepted for the permanent exhibition at Longleat. He died in April 2015, a few months short of his 105th birthday, leaving two sons, two granddaughters and five great grandchildren.
KEN WOODCOCK
Ken passed away in March 2015 and many members have fond memories of his time with us. Ken gained a scholarship to Art School aged 13 and was a commercial artist at 17. When the studio where he worked closed he became an x-ray technician/radiographer with RAMC. He was demobbed in East Africa and worked as field officer in the Overseas Civil Service moving on to work as a biologist for Shell Research before retiring in 198l. It was then that Ken returned to his first love, drawing and painting, and practised as a semi-professional artist. He spent a number of years as secretary of the society before moving with his wife and family to Plymouth where he continued to paint. He was an excellent artist, working in pastels, never failing to produce wonderful paintings which always sold at exhibitions. Members of the society possess some of his works and they were seen in a tribute corner at our 2015 Spring Exhibition.
Early records of the society can be seen on the Archive page.