THE HISTORY OF SCARNING ART GROUPS

It was in the summer of 2000 that the idea of starting up an art group in Scarning came about. Geographically the parish is very large; the western end consists of the original village with cottages, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul and of course the Village Hall (1902). In the pre-war era there was also a public house (The Black Horse), a Congregational Chapel and a garage with petrol pumps.

The eastern end in the later post-war period (1970s) saw the farm lands and meadows earmarked for development, the former for housing, the latter for recreational activities; and of course, bear in mind that this all tied in with local government reorganisation (1975). Therefore, the catchment area for such as an art group was promising.

The first art group meeting was held in January 2001 in the Village Hall, ostensibly for beginners. A fair amount of publicity had been made prior to the first meeting. This was mainly through the library notice board in Dereham, the Scarning Parish News and the monthly publication of the Scarning Newsletter. At the commencement a handful of members, some seven in all, soon grew to ten and twelve.

At the start of 2002 I was asked to reinstate a small enthusiastic art group membership that was failing, so now in Scarning we could offer both Tuesday mornings for beginners and a Wednesday morning for those members with sketching and painting experience. Right up to the present time members have weekly programmes to work to. These involve subjects of traditional landscape or seascape, but much more so, such secular subjects as mediaeval meeting halls, a packhorse bridge, village or town High Street shops and pubs and woodland views. Other studies based on the yesteryear artists, i.e. Norwich School of Painters, have been W. Bright, Stark and Crome, plus a visit to the Norwich Tate Castle Museum. Staff there were most helpful. Other artists work has also formed the basis of programmes; i.e. William Walcott, Fletcher Watson, Leonard Squirrel and George Craig. Members find that these flashback programmes are a help to them in forming their own characteristics in technique of media and presentation. Overall then, it can be said that the quality and variety of programmes has contributed to the success of Scarning Art Groups.

It is during the summer vacations of about ten weeks that four or five ‘field days out’ are arranged. Visits to nearby villages, parks, meadows and greens give a real taste of painting outside.

As to the expense of being a member, I have found that for the success of both groups, member attendances of an average of 36 weeks a year, are based on £4.00 per morning (9.00 a.m.- 12.00 noon including tea or coffee and biscuits). There are no ‘up front’ charges to members - they attend when able. The weekly typewritten programmes are available to each member, including back copies if they are unable to attend. In conclusion, I like to hold a criticism period, time permitting, at the end of each morning. All members then have a comparative analysis benefit of their morning’s work.
Ted Gleeson 2008

Due to illness, Ted will no longer be running classes. Art classes in the village will nevertheless continue. A group of former members has started on Wednesday mornings. There is also a new Scarning Art Club, which runs every Thursday from nine till noon. For more information about the Wednesday group, contact Joy Sands on 691486. For the Thursday group, please contact Ian Kelly on 696369.

Dates for the Autumn Term 2009

January	February	March	April
dates needed

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