Shropshire Magazine

Back row: Sue Sharp, Jean Hammond (president) and Anne Beaven. Front: Alan Townsend, Wilf Langford (chairman) and Judy Townsend (treasurer).

Ben Bentley talks to a group celebrating an artistic anniversary. Pictures: Russell Davies

“Has anyone ever told you that you look like Colin Firth?’ Shamefully, the question, posed at an informal meeting of the Shropshire Art Society by an artist who clearly has an eye for these sorts of details, is not directed at me. It is the photographer who she thinks bears a resemblance to the handsome Pride and Prejudice star.

They do say that artists have a tendency to look at the world differently and, later, Wilf Langford, chairman of the society, will admit that creative types continually survey their surroundings for inspiration and instinctively stockpile faces and characteristics to incorporate in future masterpieces.

It wouldn’t be a huge surprise, therefore, that if in the centre of one insightful artist’s next masterpiece – perhaps a romantic painting of The Square in Shrewsbury or a view of the Long Mynd – the strong jaw and winning smile of that Firth chap will feature.

A sample of members’ work.

Right now, it is heartening to report that in the county the noble art of painting and drawing is stronger than ever and that the ranks of Shropshire Art Society have more than doubled to 200 members since 1999.

Which is appropriate, since this year the group is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a major exhibition of members’ work at St Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury, August 11–23, when more than 100 framed works will go on show, alongside many more unframed pieces, a proud culmination of artistic endeavour.

In a county with such an inspiring natural landscape, one can understand why the pursuit of “capturing beautiful things”, as Wilf puts it, is so prevalent.

“Shropshire is a wonderful place to be an artist,” he says. “I am a keen walker and living here is perfect for walking and finding places of inspiration to capture, with the Shropshire Hills and the Welsh Hills here on our doorstep.”

Following the existence since 1924 of a group of Shrewsbury-based artists known as the Shrewsbury Seven, the Shrophire Art Society was formally established in 1948 and early exhibitions were held in the Shrewsbury Art Gallery, previously the town-centre home of Shrewsbury School. But following a major refurbishment of the building in the mid 1970s the art gallery was moved to the historic Rowley’s House and the Art Society summer and autumn exhibitions were held in the Bear Steps Gallery.

Today the society is as lively and as vividly colourful as some of the work members produce and is a happy palette of both professional and amateur artists whose exhibitions of final works are not the only goal. Tutored and non-tutored classes at their English Bridge workshop are lively scenes where artists can be found experimenting in painting, drawing and printmaking, with opportunities for all abilities.

Upstairs in a cold and cavernous room, mismatched tables are strewn with photographs and postcards of Van Gogh’s famous works. There is muted excitement as members in paint-splattered smocks experiment with colour, media and techniques, some attempting to recapture The Wrekin in the style of Vincent’s wheat field, others applying their styles to his sunflowers.

It is a typical scene among a group of people who through their paintings and drawings have also become friends.

Judy Townsend, current treasurer of the society, is the lady largely credited with introducing a social aspect.

At around the time she joined in 1999, the society expanded from being a purely exhibiting society to embrace drawing and painting classes, gallery visits and even painting holidays in a move to break with formality.

An important part of the society today is the art of socialising and meeting new friends, and the society began staging events ranging from a summer social, gallery visits, lectures and long-weekend trips that have taken members to Paris, Amsterdam, Edinburgh and, recently, Dublin.

She explains: “I joined with my husband Alan. We were both retired and had done painting at The Gateway in Shrewsbury; we realised that Shropshire Art Society did exhibitions where you did not have to be a professional artist.

“You could just go along to a sketch club if you wanted to and exhibit if you wanted to. Right from the start people were friendly and I felt that you did not have to be thought of as a great artist. You could go along to the sketch club and think your work was not being judged.”

But still there was no socialising outside of painting and drawing classes.

“I felt I needed some teaching and that the society should be able to offer teaching so we began workshops with tutors and sometimes just painting together.

“Then the gallery trips came out of that ‹ the more painting you do, the more you want to find out about other artists’ paintings, so the gallery visits were the natural step and there became more of a social side to it. We have seen people just come along for the trips.”

Valued

A relatively recent member of the group, artist Anne Beaven, says: “I moved to Shrewsbury from Yorkshire on retirement in 2001 and joined the Art Society. It has been a great help in stimulating me to get on with my painting and also it provided a very valued social network for a stranger in the town.”

Society chairman Wilf Langford adds: “Painting is a solo occupation, so the social aspect is quite important. It’s nice to share ideas. The strange thing is that in the past members had to be of a certain standard of work to join and we did a merit exhibition, but since we’ve done away with that standards have actually gone up.”

Wilf, now aged 67, has been a member of the society since the late 1960s when he was an analyst for Rolls Royce and turned to painting as a means of relaxation. Sort of.

“It’s a misconception to say it’s relaxing,” he argues. “Because of the frustrations of trying to create something you can get quite angry.

A sample of members’ work.

“But art transports you into another world so it takes your mind off other problems that you might have. It’s a bit like going to the theatre or going to a football match in that sense – you go into a different world for a few hours; you might not like how the game is being played but you have been totally absorbed.”

Many members are people who have painted in the past and found that they want to take it up again in later years when they have more time on their hands, but there are younger members coming through, adds Wilf.

In the fast pace of modern life, however, is there a place for sitting down with a brush and easel? Wilf thinks there’s more place for it than ever.

“There is a great interest in it at the moment, and there’s still a need for people to create,“ he says.

The need to create and express was the motivating factor for member Jean Hammond, 72, from Harmer Hill, who joined in 1972 when workshops were being held at the old Shrewsbury Technical College on English Bridge. Today, as president of the the society, she recalls: “I took up art because I had young children at home and it was necessary to get out of the house occasionally.

“Painting is almost like meditation. You are totally immersed and to sit in the countryside before beautiful flowers and bees going into foxgloves is glorious. It is totally peaceful and you forget all about the kitchen sink.”

• Shropshire Art Society’s 60th anniversary exhibition is being held August 11–23, excluding Sunday, August 17. Admission is free and the event is open 10am–4.30pm each day except the final Saturday, which closes at 1pm. For more information about the society contact Wilf Langford on 01743 248872.