
Artist Exhibition
Whether painting is just a hobby or it is your main career, the
Merton Art Society would love to have you. They are a group of local artist that get together one Tuesday a month in order to take part in talks, discussions, demonstrations, and life classes. The professional artists the visit the group provide advice on perfecting certain techniques, whether it be for landscapes, portraits, watercolour, oils, acrylics, or pastels.
Membership is not just for painters either. You can be a sketch, artist, potter, or sculptor. Anyone is welcome to join for a £30 year's membership. As well as free access to these social meetings (which are £5 for non-members), there are other benefits too. For example, the Merton Art Society is sponsored by
Fielders. Fielders is an arts & craft shop at the bottom of Wimbledon Hill, and they give a ten percent discount on all their supplies, to anyone who is a member. Fielders has a wide range of products, from book tutorials, modelling clay, paints and brushes, and they even have a framing service.
Another benefit of joining the Merton Art Society is that you get to have your work put on exhibit without any extra cost. Twice a year, they show and sell work by their members at Wimbledon Library. I was fortunate enough to visit on the last day of their autumn exhibit. What I liked was how eclectic everything was; you could see how different everyone's different style was. Some of my favourites included a set of three animals: a meerkat, owl, and an otter. They were selling for £60 with the artist giving all the profit towards the Born Free wildlife charity. Other paintings I liked were picturesque farmyard scenes, and a small watercolour of Paddington Bear.
If you would like to get your work exhibited, or simply go and see the work of others, the next exhibition is the 12th-17th May. And if you are undecided about whether or not to join, the next meeting is on the 10th December. It will include a social critique, quiz, and raffle. You can attend for £5, and if you choose you want to become a member, £5 will be deducted off the fee.