A Spalding arts group believed to have been formed during the First World War is marking 110 years with a new exhibition at Spalding Library.
The Spalding Arts and Crafts Society’s latest display will be held at the library on Victoria Street from September 4 to October 3. Members have been curating the exhibition as the society continues a programme that has included at least one exhibition almost every year since its earliest days.
From wartime therapy to a long-running local society
The society is believed to have been established in 1916 as therapy for servicemen injured during the First World War. Its first meetings took place at the old Johnson Hospital on Priory Road.
By 1918, local townspeople had joined the group. Its first exhibition was held at the Corn Exchange, the building that preceded the South Holland Centre, with sponsorship from the then Spalding Town Council.
The early exhibition reflected a broad interpretation of arts and crafts. Alongside paintings, the categories included photography, Meccano, needlework and singing. Since then, the society has staged one or two exhibitions a year, as well as other displays at different venues.
Today, the group has about 40 members, most of whom attend several meetings each year. It also attracts around 15 visitors each month, according to chair Maggie Goodsell.
Goodsell has been involved in the society for 30 years. Before joining, she attended evening classes run by another long-serving club member, Mo Teeuw, at the former Gleed Schools.
“I enjoy going to the meetings as I learn a lot about painting from the visiting demonstrators and it is a welcome change to go out and talk to like minded people,”
Goodsell said the society would welcome more members, particularly people interested in helping to run it.
“We currently have about 40 members, most of whom attend several meetings a year. We also get around 15 visitors each month. It would be great to have more members, especially if they would like to get more involved in the running of the society.”
The society’s president, Veronica Pryke, has been involved since the mid-1970s, making her the longest-serving member mentioned in the group’s latest update.
Monthly demonstrations in Pinchbeck
The society holds monthly meetings at Pinchbeck Village Hall, where visiting artists demonstrate their techniques. Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month at the hall on Knight Street, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Doors open at 7pm.
Entry costs £3 for members and £5 for visitors, with tea and coffee included.
The most recent meeting featured Derbyshire artist Stephen Coates, who demonstrated watercolour impressionism. He explained how the movement developed, showed the effects produced by different brushes and strokes, and demonstrated how to create a small painting quickly.
Coates described his approach as the three Ps: planning, preparation and painting. He completed a second, larger painting in 20 minutes and donated both works to the society for a future raffle.
The next demonstration is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, when local artist Nicholas Palmer will show different ways to use acrylics.
People seeking information about the society can visit www.saacs.org.uk or the Spalding Arts and Crafts Society Facebook page. Membership enquiries can also be made to Ann Dring on 07946 751909.
