Thornbury Art Club 61st Summer Exhibition

An Exhibition to remember …..

For months, Members had been preparing for the Exhibition, selecting their entries, framing them and in some cases frantically completing their work. Publicity was in full swing with posters distributed and Social Media put to good use.

Friday 24th July dawned and members converged on the Methodist Church Hall Thornbury. Then at 9.35am the van from Chris Baker arrived. Eager hands unloaded it and the frames, bases and other bits and pieces brought into the hall. The bases were set up.

The frames were erected and Members came in with their art work.

The pictures were hung as well as Mighty Minis. Cards were displayed

This year, as well as paintings there were sculptures and felt models.

We were all set for the Grand Opening but first there was a Sketching day on Saturday morning, where we invited the public to take part. We started at 11am and finished at 12 noon in the Tesoro Lounge for coffee and to show our art to each other.

There were many visitors to the Exhibition on that first Saturday and in the evening the Mayor of Thornbury, Helen Ball, did the formal opening.

Here is a sample of our displays.

As the Exhibition continued willing volunteers stewarded the exhibition and did card sales. A vital role. They also encouraged visitors to vote for their favourite art work.

Not content with one sketching day, the Art Club hosted another sketching day. This was in the afternoon of Tuesday 28th July. I was unable to attend this as I was stewarding the Exhibition.

A further activity organised, were guided walks round Thornbury on Wednesday 29th and Friday 31st with themes of ‘Arty Spots and Shops’ and ‘Art in Local Churches and Chapels’. I was unable to attend these. These were successful.

The third sketching day was on Thursday morning, which Christine and I went to.

The late night opening on Friday was very successful with many visitors and sales.

The second Saturday was busy and there was the extra attraction of a book fair by Sugar Pages Book Fair. This featured many local authors. These covered fantasy, action, romance, horror and children’s books. This was very successful.

Sunday afternoon was the last session and there were many last minute sales. It all had to finish and it was sad to see the pictures being removed and the stands taken down.

So ended probably our best Exhibition ever.

We had 830 visitors (748 last year). It was interesting that visitor numbers increased, when members of the public were leafleted in the High Street.

22 framed pictures were sold, 12 unframed and 18 Mighty Minis. Cards sales were good but slightly less than last year.

The Favourite Picture was ‘Selene with Lobelias’ by Mary Drown. Second was ‘Winter Green Finches’ by Pauline Wilson Smith and Third was Allium Time by Anne McAllister.

Particular thanks to our Exhibition Secretary Fiona Foyer for all the organising together with many members who put in massive efforts to make this Exhibition such a success.

Andy Sherriff,

Hon Secretary,

August 2026.