Poole & East Dorset Art

Society

Newsletter, March 2017

Welcome to your March Newsletter with details and entry form for the PEDAS spring exhibition:

Flavour, a celebration of food and drink.

We start though with a piece by Anne Hartman – a review of our trip to the Paul Nash exhibition

at Tate Britain. And further on, there’s an article by Marylyn asking the question Why? Would

anyone like to answer her – we’re always looking for articles and contributions for the Newsletter?

We would of course love to hear from any PEDAS members about any artwork or projects you’ve

been involved in lately or in the past.

Please send articles to: sallyportraits@hotmail.com Next deadline: 26 April.

Thanks, Sally (Editor)

Header image – Val Taylor Cartoon by Barry (& one from Punch)

Review of our trip to the Paul Nash exhibition at Tate Britain

It is always rather a desperate dash to arrive at the coach on time! I was more nervous than usual,

because I was relying on a lift. (My car had blown a gasket) I was waiting for Caroline and

Maureen, who had very kindly agreed to collect me from the end of the road but a police car was

parked there, so I was wandering around looking lost in the middle of a roundabout when Caroline

called to me and I finally spotted her waving her arms…

We did catch the coach in time! We arrived at the Tate full of anticipation and delight (thank you

very much Carole for organising everything). I was meeting my nephew, his wife and baby at

lunch, so I rushed down the stairs to the first queue which should have started at twelve.

A bored man tore mine and Marisa’s ticket in half, and we were in. It was hard to see over

people’s heads and I began to get a bit grumpy – why had my parents doled out the short, fat

gene to me? But soon I began to focus on his pictures; a series of landscapes, called, I think,

‘Dreaming Trees’ showed groups of tall, pale green trees in stylised settings; a watercolour,

entitled, ‘In a Garden’ depicted two rather beautiful girls walking rather stiffly, arm in arm, across a

bleached field with a variety of fan-like or sculpted trees in the background. I found I was grateful

suddenly, for John Bowen’s talk last month because it helped me to find the paintings more

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interesting than I might otherwise have done! There was a curious stillness to Paul Nash’s pictures

and they seemed drained of colour…

However, once I saw the war section, ‘We are making a new world’ where the paintings showed

the stark, jagged shapes of the trenches, the artist appeared to use paint in a much more bold and

evocative manner. ‘Spring in the Trenches, Ridgewood,’ showed an innocent, clear blue sky with

snowy clouds, above torn and broken trees and exhausted looking soldiers in the foreground.

Other pictures from the war period were equally moving and powerful but the shapes seemed to

grow more ‘Cubist’ and reflections created an almost eerie sense of an unreal, lost kind of world.

As we walked through the exhibition, Paul Nash’s work became more architectural and linear. He

appeared to be mixing strong horizontal lines with soft, flowing natural lines as in ‘Dead Spring’

and ‘Still Life with Bog Cotton.’

One of my favourite paintings (and I remember Marisa commenting on it too) was ‘Swan Song’

which showed a red and white toadstool lying on its side amongst autumn leaves and other

earthy- brown fungi. I also liked ‘Forest’ which was rather an odd sculpture made out of wooden

hands (to stretch gloves?) which were stuck onto a piece of wood like the branches of Winter

trees.

Gradually, the paintings became more surrealistic; stones, tennis balls and rocks or stones were

the subject of pictures that seemed to me to portray sad and lonely places…

It was therefore time to go to the shop, before meeting my family. I bought a ‘Miffy’ and a ‘paint

your own lunchbox’ and one of those things that you look through to create hundreds of patterns

when you gaze at an object. My interest in art is rather superficial. Next, on to the café…

Anne H

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March and April 2017 Thursday meetings.

We meet at St. Aldhelm's Academy, Herbert Ave. Poole BH12 4HS, 7-9pm.

Please try to arrive a little before 7pm so we can start promptly.

BMOYC - Bring materials of your choice.

2nd. March: Towards abstraction. Pam Philip will lead the session. All you need is MOYC and

support.

9th March: 3 stage water colours. As demonstrated by Tony Paul recently, you need water colour

equipment and photo reference ideally showing

contrasting tones. If you can sketch the scene before

the session it would be good. (Buildings work well)

16th March: Drawing the clothed figure. There will be

two models, one in each room- Lily and Emily. BMOYC

23rd March: Chinese water colour painting with Dawn

Goodson. More info to follow

30th March: Life drawing with Sam and hopefully one

other - untutored. BMOYC

6th April: Painting miniature landscapes. Pauline Gyles

(ex-secretary of the Royal Institute of Miniature

Painters) will bring some of her work for those of you

who did not see it some years ago. You will be

provided with a small gessoed board. Acrylic or oil

paints would be best. Also landscape reference is

needed and a magnifying glass! if your eyesight is

dodgy.

27th April: Sketching figures at the martial arts class.

PLEASE ARRIVE IN GOOD TIME as we do not want

to disturb the class. You need a sketch book and pencil

for the first hour and a good sized sheet of cartridge

paper for our return upstairs for the second hour.

4th May: Following on from last week's session you

need charcoal, white pastel and your sketches from

last week. You will be provided with mid-tone pastel

paper to create a work based on your sketches. Sandy

will bring her charcoal and chalk drawings for those

who have not seen them in the past.

Pat

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Become a Performer in CARGO

Join us, Valise Noire Storytelling Theatre, to make

a significant performance on Poole Quay. We will

be creating a contemporary performance and are

looking for 35 enthusiastic friendly and committed

people who love to dance, act, move, sing, or

simply walk and share the heritage of CARGO with

audiences. We are looking for a range of abilities to

join us and to bring your creativity into the making

of this fabulous show.

We have The Queen Galadriel ship as part of our

project, a beautiful old sailing boat which will arrive at The Great Quay with performers aboard.

There will also be performers based on land to welcome the ship in to dock. We are having a

specially made soundtrack to accompany the show and the unloading of CARGO; beautifully

created light boxes.

"CARGO has the potential to be one of the most important art events within our European

Maritime Festival" Mayor of Poole. Come along, spend some fun and inspiring time with us, learn

more about performing outdoors, creating art and performance from heritage research. We are

running a series of FREE WEEKEND WORKSHOPS to help create the show and recruit

performers who will then be part of the final shows during the Poole Maritime Festival and

European Maritime Day, in May on Poole Quay.

Performers will join us as volunteers and will receive a selection of digital photographs of the event

as a souvenir. We are asking performers to attend all dates. Depending on your role/part, you may

be required to attend fewer or extra hours on the rehearsal days. If you keen to take part but are

unable to attend a workshop please talk with us.

Find out more about CARGO, Valise Noire and contact us here:

Website: www.valisenoire.com/cargo Twitter: @Valise_Noire

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ValiseNoireTheatre/

COMPLETE THE FORM ON WEBSITE - click submit - and we will contact you to confirm your

place and send additional information in the lead up to the workshops.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS - Monday 20th March 5pm, we look forward to meeting you.

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WORKSHOP & REHEARSAL DATES - Tick the boxes to confirm you can attend these dates

WORKSHOPS & REHERSALS April 8th & 9th, 29th & 30th, May 13th & 14th

PERFORMANCES ON POOLE QUAY - EVENINGS of Thurs 18th May & Sat 20th May

Optional extra EXHIBITION LAUNCH PERFORMANCE - tick submission form on website if you

are interested in performing at our exhibition launch in Lighthouse Poole on Thursday 25th May in

the evening. Come to Lighthouse Poole for our first exploration workshop where we will be

introducing the project and looking at some of our research to use as a departure to interpret

through movement and voice.

VENUE: Poole Lighthouse, 21 Kingland Rd, Poole, BH15 1UG

ROOM: Function Room 4

TIME: 11am - 4pm. Arrive in time to start promptly.

WEAR: Comfortable clothes to move in, soft dance shoes or bare feet.

BRING: A packed lunch and a bottle of water or buy lunch at Bistro at Lighthouse or local places

9th April Workshop Weekend 1 Day 2: Poole Museum ... 11am - 4pm

On day 2 we go to Poole Museum to develop further our explorations from day 1 and will visit the

site of the performance which will take place on Poole Quay.

VENUE: Poole Museum, 4 High St, Poole BH15 1BW

ROOM: 5th Floor

TIME: 11am - 4pm. Arrive in time to start promptly.

WEAR: Comfortable clothes to move in, soft dance shoes or bare feet.

BRING: A packed lunch and a bottle of water or buy lunch at local places

CAROLINE’S CREATIVE SUNDAYS

Held at Holy Angels Church Hall, Lilliput Road, Poole BH14 8JX

Church Hal opens at 2pm to start at 2.30pm until 4.30pm with a tea break

Members £3, Visitors £5

2 April 2017 MICHAEL PARKER Use of Palette Knife with Oils

Michael’s use of the palette knife is unique; they are large but used with such precision, a very

interesting style. He will start with a short demo and we will follow with a workshop. You can paint

on canvas or board so long as it is primed, Gesso is suggested. If you do not have any palette

knives a starter kit from the Range is very reasonable.

7 May 2017 PENNY CRICHTON-SEAGER Landscape with Pastels

In this workshop Penny will guide us through the contrast of colour, using complementary and

neutral shades, to emphasise the depth of shadows to give our landscape life.

A list of art materials required for these sessions will be circulated to all members about a week

prior to the meeting.

Caroline

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Reflections…Why be a member of the Poole & East Dorset Art Society?

The Poole & East Dorset Art Society (PEDAS) currently hosts an impressive range of community

based activities and communication networks, maintaining a high level of public responsibility,

structure, governance, reputation and constitution. I am proud to be a member of such a Society

that has held its own amongst the ever-changing voluntary and statutory organisations in our

community, over many years.

We are fortunate to have always had dedicated committee members and other project managers

who rise to the challenge of being guardians of our constitution and governance, holding a balance

between these necessary formalities and the vital informality of PEDAS, whilst also enjoying being

an artist and member. The contributions that core working groups make now in fine tuning our

constitution and governance, will stand us in good stead, in future, maintaining a uniqueness and

diversity, that pioneers the values and benefits of a long standing Art Society. Not just for its

members, but the local community and the art world in general. There is scope here to leave a

solid legacy and a baton for younger artists and members to run with now, and in years to come.

Following our recent AGM, and after some reflection on the outcome, I had more questions than

answers. The most powerful word we learned as children came to mind… why? Somewhere

along the road to adulthood we stop asking “why?” My grandchildren went through the usual

phase of asking why (still do) but gradually being replaced by a more commanding phase of “I

want!” I continue to ask my grandchildren “why?”… lest we forget. As an artist and musician

“why?” is a powerful word. “Why is that tower leaning to the left?”…“why does that figure not fit

onto my page?”…“why am I so afraid to sketch in public…? “Why did I write this song?” and “why

be a member of PEDAS?”… “Why?”

The PEDAS Exhibitions are, of course, one good reason “why”, with its rare and much needed,

gallery resource. I feel fortunate as a member, to have this regular and consistent opportunity.

PEDAS Exhibitions make me do art. It makes me develop projects and skills, offering a diversity

of choice. For me, it’s the friendship, learning, motivation, exhibitions, and projects that make

PEDAS unique, precious and invaluable. These qualities will entice others to want to join, just like

it did me. The day I became a PEDAS member, I didn’t have to prove a thing, I simply joined…and

exhibited. When I was ready to learn and create, PEDAS was always there. I love that about

PEDAS.

As the former newsletter editor for PEDAS, my intention was to create a portal that reached out to

all members…especially those who found themselves housebound or unable to attend events on

a regular basis, for whatever reasons. These members had paid their subs to support PEDAS and

participated when they could. Hence the front page “gallery”, and spaces for members’

contributions such as Profiles, Brian’s Box, Lizzie’s List and Barbara’s bits. Our communication

network was rapidly expanding, we reminded ourselves that the newsletter was a helpful

communication tool, for members to consolidate and disseminate news and views and showcase

their work and activities. It continues now via Sally’s excellent editing and production - stronger

than ever and with a choice of delivery. I still enjoy receiving a regular newsletter as a member,

and viewing the amazing website, created by Clare Hadley, developed by David Hendrey: one

special aspect of PEDAS to be seriously proud of.

The opportunities PEDAS presents are exciting; I would love to do it all, but personal

circumstances make it difficult, so I have to pick and choose, like a box of chocolates. Being in

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PEDAS is like having a family you visit when able, one that is welcoming, inspiring, unconditionally

accepting, in the main non-judgemental, not defensive; a rich treasure chest of personalities,

creativity, activity, productiveness, sharing, giving & receiving. This is what keeps me a PEDAS

member. I would be seriously discouraged, if I had to tick boxes to prove my worth to remain (or

even join). Like most artists, I am not always as confident or motivated as I may appear to be!

It is the welcoming and open nature of PEDAS that makes others want to join us. It would help to

be clear about what membership means, and how it differs from being a guest/visitor. What are

the benefits to members (who pay subs) compared with benefits to guests (who don’t pay subs)? It

may also be helpful to focus on criteria around participating in activities/use of venues and

resources, rather than criteria on being a member/life member; for example, the criteria for

accepting new members appears to be frequently influenced by the amount of space we have at

our Thursday and Sunday events. We are fortunate to have individual members such as Trish

Jubb, Penny Wilton and Sally Holland offering workshops at different venues/times, we also have

excellent networks/links to other societies and workshops. Why not have some booked events for

members (where space is limited), and occasional open events for members, the public/other

Societies (in larger venues), events that generate income, covering the full cost of the activities?

I love the flavour of PEDAS, I feel honoured and privileged to be a part of this tasty collective, my

enthusiasm fed by fellow artists! Especially when they make me feel as if I am standing on the

shoulders of giants! It is wonderful when such individuals are valued, recognised and

acknowledged for their contribution to PEDAS, the world of Art & Learning, and the reputation of

the society as a whole, and this we have done proudly with Life Membership.

The cost of offering Life Membership is minimal (a fraction of less than 1% of our overall income)

and cost should not even be a factor in agreeing that; life membership is a worthy and honourable

way of saying thank you to some outstanding members. Any member should have the opportunity

here to nominate another member, with a simple testimonial, and present this to other members

(via the committee) at an AGM…in the same way we nominate our key champions, who maintain

and uphold the running and governance of our society, as officers. A simple clause presented at

the next AGM by the committee, for a yes/no vote (to be added to the constitution) would suffice

me.

Finally, PEDAS embraces the self-perceived “non-artists”, ordinary people, transforming them into

vibrant, creative, confident human beings, inspired to make any experience a work of art:

caterpillars, emerging from cocoons into creativity & freedom…as butterflies!

Marylyn

Dorset Magazine Landscape Artist of the Year 2017

Success for PEDAS member Sandy Dale in this competition! Do

try and get to see the exhibition which is at the Lighthouse until

18th March in the Ground Floor Cafe Art Space. It's a small select

exhibition and worth a look not least because Sandy Dale's work

has been chosen as part of the exhibition of 10 selected artists.

Congratulations Sandy!

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LIZ’S LIST (What’s on)

THE GALLERY UPSTAIRS at Upton Country Park

For more information see www.thegalleryupstairs.org.uk

9 – 20 March "NEAT IMAGE – LOOKING GOOD" Photography, sculpture, jewellery

23 Mar – 3 April "SHOWCASE 2017" Paintings by Art on the Heath

7 – 24 April "FLAVOUR" – Poole & East Dorset Art Society celebrating food and

drink in drawing, painting, print and sculpture.

27 April – 1 May "ARTS AND CRAFTS IN THE COUNTRY" by Dorset Home Crafters

LIGHTHOUSE, POOLE'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

18 Feb – 18 Mar “DORSET MAGAZINE LANDSCAPE PAINTER OF THE YEAR”,

including work by our own Sandy Dale

21 Feb – 15 Mar “BRIAN FREELANDER – A Poole Perspective”, Brian is a professional

architectural illustrator

22 Feb – 15 Mar “ANTHONY DOVER – Retrospect”; Anthony is influenced by impressionism

and post-impressionism.

23 Mar – 22 Apr POOLE PRINTMAKERS (Top Floor Gallery)

25 Mar – 29 April “BREATH OF LIGHT” – by NOA Prize Winner Lisa Lewis (Main Gallery)

RUSSELL- COTES MUSEUM

Tuesday to Sunday 10 – 5 and Bank Holiday Mondays. (£6 entry) Check website for closures

29 Oct – 24 April: “MEETING MODERNISM” Early twentieth century paintings from

the Russell-Cotes collection.

SOUTHAMPTON CITY ART GALLERY Free Entry

Open Monday to Friday 10 – 3, Saturday 10 – 5, Closed Sundays.

17 Feb – 13 May “The Morris Dancer and the Rat Catcher”: Modern British Figure

Paintings from Southampton's collection.

17 Feb – 29 April “Looking at Abstraction” Ten abstract paintings alongside the paintings

in response to them by former Southampton City Art Gallery director,

Stephen Snoddy

17 Feb – 23 April “Still Hanging Around” Paintings by Margery Clarke to celebrate her

90th year; her friend and mentor was L.S. Lowry.

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MOTTISFONT ABBEY – Nr. Romsey. Open Daily 11 – 5

Usual National Trust entry charges/free to members.

14 Jan – 23 April “REX WHISTLER: MORE THAN MURALS” A major exhibition exploring

the talents of Rex Whistler, on display at the home of his final great artwork.

SALISBURY MUSEUM Mon – Sat 10 – 5 Sundays 12 – 5

Entry £8 which gives you an annual pass

17 Sept – 25 March “CONSTABLE IN CONTEXT” Major exhibition of paintings of Salisbury

Cathedral with Constables famous “Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows”

FINE FOUNDATION GALLERY – Durlston Castle, open daily 10 - 5

April 8 to May 1st "PURBECK & BEYOND" Photographs, sketches & paintings by Hamish

Murray reflecting the area's stunning wildlife and landscapes

Aldersyde Studio

Some time ago we bought an old garage building from our neighbour. This seemed to have been

quite a feature in the village, Lytchett Matravers, as it was next to the parish well. It is right next to

our front gate and by buying a wedge of land behind it we created a new straight boundary. Last

year my husband designed and had built an extension on to the back of the old building with large

windows facing our garden. This allows light and warmth from the sun to flood into the room.

I am now in the process of creating my own studio/gallery space in the old part, an exciting new

venture. I will be open this year for Purbeck Art Weeks, May 27 to June 11(no. 46 in the brochure,

not yet out). I may have an open weekend prior to this and will let PEDAS members know.

Carol Cox

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NEWS FROM THE COMMITTEES – Feb/March 2017

The AGM took place on February 5 and the Minutes are published elsewhere in the Newsletter.

The first PEDAS Committee Meeting of the year took place on February 6.

John Biggs and Pam Philip have now left the Committee and we have been happy to welcome two

new members, Jacqui Gush and Julie Scammell. Julie will be helping Caroline in running Sunday

sessions. The outside summer painting programme (June to September) will now be arranged

jointly by Joy and Pam Philip.

The final role-call of members for 2017 should be finalised by the end of March, the deadline for

renewals by existing members. To date we have 91 members including the newly invited

members.

Exhibitions:

Taking in date for the Spring exhibition ‘Flavour’ is April 5 and it will run till April 25. The rules and

application form are printed elsewhere in this Newsletter.

Dates for the Autumn exhibition are September 27 to October 17. The ‘Open’ exhibition, run and

hosted by PEDAS, will run from November 29 until shortly before Christmas.

Dorset Art Weeks will take place in 2018, running from May 26 – June 10. The additional PEDAS

week will be added at either the beginning or end of this period, to be decided nearer the time.

AGM:

Minutes of the AGM appear elsewhere in this Newsletter together with the updated Constitution.

The process of the AGM was discussed at the last Committee meeting and it was noted that there

had been some non-members in attendance. We do not encourage non-members to attend AGM

and it was noted that in future non-members will be approached and informed that they are not

permitted to speak or vote.

AOB questions at AGM should be tabled ahead of the meeting but minor items arising from

discussion are accepted.

The discussion re Life Membership is detailed in the AGM Minutes. Due to a change of policy at

AGM, this needs to go back for inclusion in the Constitution at AGM 2018.

UCP and Gallery Upstairs news:

Redecoration took place as usual in January, with a new decorator but equally good results.

It has been agreed to raise Gallery fees to £15/day from the start of 2018, with reduced charge of

£8/day in Jan and Feb.

We discussed the matter of how we might make a regular financial contribution to UCP funds,

including comparing GUS with other local venues. In the light of the relatively low turnover, it is

hard to see how we could make such a contribution without significant increase in hire charges. If

we double our existing charges, we would still be good value compared with others in the area, but

this seems an unreasonable burden for the target audience our contract with BoP encourages.

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Parking fees at Upton Country Park will be introduced on April 3. We have written to UCP setting

out our needs for operating the Gallery, including stewards at all exhibitions, delivery of art work

and setting up etc. John and Val have met with the management to discuss permits and options.

Final arrangements have not yet been determined but we will keep you posted.

Income for 2015/16 was £2280.00 and expenditure £1855.10, giving a surplus of £424.90 and a

closing balance of £424.90.

Visitor numbers for 2016 were estimated at 13,630; 725 down on last year. 374 artists is 178 up

(due in the main to Lewis Manning exhibition)

Norma Rawlings has volunteered to undertake publicity for the Gallery Upstairs.

Other:

Norma has also volunteered to organize a panto for the next Christmas Party – no action likely

before July.

Committee contacts:

Caroline Robertson (Chair) tac10kle@btinternet.com 881179

Peter Greenwood (Treasurer) info@peter-greenwood-art.co.uk 295798

Val Taylor (Secretary) val@taylorgibson.eclipse.co.uk 623529

Sally Holland (Publicity) sallyportraits@hotmail.com 775304

Anne Hartman cleoandmonty@gmail.com 693551

Lupita Aish (Membership) lupita@laish.wanadoo.co.uk 731617

Joy Gow joy.gow@hotmail.co.uk 682379

Pam Marshall marshallpam20@gmail.com 285270

Jacqui Gush JacquiN06@yahoo.co.uk 24615

Julie Scammell juliescammell@hotmail.co.uk 680310

Plus Gallery Upstairs Management Team:

Liz Magee lizziemagee@ntlworld.com 721423

John Biggs johnabiggs@ntlworld.com 770338

Barry Kavanagh bazbuzz21@virginmedia.com 678676

Norma Rawlings(gallery publicity) normzie@yahoo.com 779108

Drop in and Draw/Paint

Every Tuesday, 10 am – 12.15 at “The Coffee House”, Canford Heath

Every Friday, 10 am – 12.15 at “The Pilot Pub”, Canford Heath BH17 8SA

(Friday’s is the quieter venue)

The human figure or portraiture is our favourite subject, using various models.

All abilities welcome, tuition given. No fees but donations welcome.

Any questions please email: sallyportraits@hotmail.com Many thanks to those who have supported me in this- Sally

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POOLE AND EAST DORSET ART SOCIETY

Annual General Meeting

February 5, 2017 @ 2.30pm

Lilliput Church Hall Poole

MINUTES

Chaired by Caroline Robertson

53 Members were in attendance, including the Committee and our President, John Bowen

1. Welcome and Apologies

Caroline Robertson opened the AGM and welcomed all Members, including new Members.

Apologies were received from Linda Addison, Dennis Hill, Sarah Moore, Sue Smith and

Anne Peterson.

2. Minutes of last year’s meeting and matters arising

Accepted as a true representation of the meeting

Proposed by Carole Gadsby and Seconded by Barbara Woods

3. Annual Review from our President

John Bowen thanked Caroline for her first year as Chairman and went on to thank the

Committee and all Members who had given their time and energy to make the Club work

with exhibitions, Newsletter, website etc all of which were a credit to PEDAS. He

remembered with fondness Members who had passed on in the past year: Brian Tofield,

Ted Elms and Fay Anderson and commended them to our store of good memories.

4. Treasurer’s Report

Peter Greenwood introduced his first Treasurer’s report by emphasizing how important it

was to him to be careful with other people’s money. He explained the change of reporting

format that reflected his experience as an accountant and made it easier for Members to

appreciate where the money was spent. As a club we are not seeking to make a profit but it

is important that we ensure that our costs are covered. The Committee now receives

regular updates and forecasts of our financial situation. This year we have achieved our

objective to break even by making assiduous savings where possible. The cost of the

Newsletter has been reduced by around 36% by changing production costs and using more

email distribution. The net cost of Sunday sessions has been cut since attendance charges

have been applied in line with Thursdays. Both Sundays and Thursdays have benefited

from Members taking some sessions and either not charging or keeping their fees to a

minimum. We are making a small profit on our own exhibitions, though DAW tends to be

loss-making due mainly to the entry fee. The real balance at year end was £4103.76.

In response to Member comments about the way of presentation, PG explained that the

main objective was to make the accounts clearly understood by all Members.

Sunday not as well attended as Thursdays and thereby struggles to avoid a deficit. For

2017, we are introducing summer sessions without lecturers, where Members share their

experiences and advice on aspects of their work. 2 years ago at an AGM, it was determined

by the membership that we continue with Sunday sessions despite its financial issues. Any

change would require the agreement of the membership.

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PG explained that whilst we expect to cover costs for 2017, it was felt prudent to introduce

the idea of an increase in membership subscriptions to £35 with effect from January 2018.

According to our Constitution, this needs to be done at this meeting. It was agreed that subs

should rise to £35 from January 2018 with the proviso that, if the Budget was healthy at the

end of 2017, this rise would be postponed for another year.

Proposed by Carole Gadsby and Seconded by Janet Blissett.

The increase of subscriptions to £35 from January 2018 was agreed, with the proviso

that it will be postponed until January 2019 if the budget is in a healthy condition at

the end of 2017.

Approval of accounts for 2016:

Proposed by Marisa Robertson and Seconded by Marylyn Cropley.

Accounts for 2016 were agreed.

Carole Gadsby raised the issue of profit and loss on days out. Some events are profitable

and others make a slight loss. CG wondered if any surplus might be carried over to offset

other events that might otherwise be abandoned due to the likelihood of making a small

loss.

The carry-over of surplus from one event to subsidise a small deficit on a subsequent

event was agreed by the Treasurer subject to agreement in individual circumstances.

5. Chair’s Report

Caroline’s first report as Chair celebrated the many and varied activities of PEDAS. Last

year alone saw members visiting London twice, Art in Action, Liverpool, Yorkshire Sculpture

Park. Our Spring exhibition, run by Sally with the intriguing and challenging theme of

‘Ekphrasis’, attracted an amazing 1500 visitors in its two weeks. The Autumn exhibition

without a theme allowed full rein for the invention and diverse imagination of members.

Sunday sessions have recently been full and we frequently need to use both rooms for

Thursdays. We look forward to seeing how the summer Sundays work with the self led

practical discussion groups. CR thanked John Bowen, Liz, & Joy for their work on the

Gallery, Dave Hendry for the websites, Barry for his care of the Gallery, Pat Burnham for

Thursdays, Carole Gadsby for days out and holidays, Sarah and Yvonne for refreshing

guests on Thursdays and the Committee for helping her into her new role as Chair. We look

forward to the Paul Nash exhibition in London and to our next Spring exhibition and its

theme of “Flavour” should be tasty. September will see an Autumn exhibition and later an

Open, not forgetting squeezing in a trip to Madrid in September.

Caroline gave thanks to John Biggs and Pam Philip, who are stepping down from the

Committee, for their dedication and enthusiasm in helping to make PEDAS such a great art

club.

6. The Gallery Upstairs’ Report

Liz reported from the Sub-committee of PEDAS that looks after the operation of the Gallery

Upstairs. In 2016 there were 24 exhibitions in10 months. 2017 promises to have

something for everyone. Bookings ensure a full 2018 and there are already enquiries for

2019. Last year saw the introduction of cabinet lighting and custom made doormats.

Screens along the balustrade were removed and replaced by new double-sided display

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panels fixed to the wall. Public access now from tearooms as well as the courtyard, an

innovation we had been seeking for many years. Upton Country Park is now having to

raise its own funding. The first effect of this will be the introduction of parking charges from

April 1 this year. We are working to get the best possible solution for Gallery users. We

have been asked to look at ways to make more money to augment UCP funding. Our

charges are conducive to being a “Community Gallery” and our surplus over the year is

fairly small and all goes to maintaining and improving the Gallery. We expect pressure to

be brought to bear. In our view, raising fees would be detrimental to the ethos of the

gallery.

Members should realise that the efforts of the sub-committee enable PEDAS to exhibit for 3

weeks twice a year in the Gallery. Other groups only have access for 2 weeks every other

year! So make sure you give us your support at the Gallery events. Help is always

welcome. We particularly need a Publicity officer at the moment so please let us know if

you are interested.

Thanks to Dave Hendrey who also manages the Gallery website.

7. Committee changes

John Biggs stepping down from the Committee

Pam Philip stepping down from the Committee

8. Nominations for Committee

Members were invited to agree existing Committee Members standing for re-nomination:

Lupita Aish, Joy Gow, Peter Greenwood, Anne Hartman, Sally Holland, Pam Marshall,

Caroline Robertson, Val Taylor

Proposed by Anita Hawkins and Seconded by Norma Rawlings

Members duly re-elected existing Committee Members above.

New Committee nomination: Julie Scammell

Proposed by Marylyn Cropley and Seconded by Barry Kavanagh

New Committee nomination: Jacqui Gush.

Proposed by Carole Gadsby and Seconded by Pat Burnham

Members duly elected above two new Committee Members.

9. Officer appointments

Nominations for Officers:

Chair: Caroline Robertson

Proposed by Janet Blissett and Seconded by Valerie Willetts

Secretary: Val Taylor

Proposed by Maureen Franklin and Seconded by Marisa Robertson

Treasurer: Peter Greenwood

Proposed by Barbara Woods and Seconded by Jan Wall

Members duly agreed the above officer appointments.

10. Any other business

Two items were indicated for discussion in the January Newsletter. Both were in response

to the Committee undertaking, at the last AGM, to examine the Constitution and present

any necessary changes to the next AGM.

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(i) Change to New Membership enrolment date:

Membership Secretary, Lupita Aish explained the proposed changes that would enable the

club to invite new Members to join in the summer, paying half of the annual subscription,

rather than wait a whole year. New wording in the Constitution will be in accordance with

that published in the January Newsletter.

It was accepted that while this allows the club to make mid-year invitations, this will only

happen if a potential member has made the appropriate number of session attendances

and it is agreed by Committee that additional members would not be detrimental to the

functioning of the club.

The proposal was accepted by the membership at the AGM. The altered Constitution

will be published in the next Newsletter.

(ii) Life membership of PEDAS:

John Biggs introduced this item that was also published in the January Newsletter. He

explained that Life Membership was an established practice in PEDAS, though there were

only 3 such members and none had been invited since the early 1990s. Life Members do

not pay the annual subscription for their lifetime in PEDAS. In the past this had been an

informal invitation from the Committee without reference to the membership. It was felt that

this needed to be made more transparent to all Members. The Committee had spent many

hours discussing this issue but it was felt that the membership should be asked for their

opinion as to how to proceed. The Committee had concluded:

o Existing Life Members should not be affected;

o Life Membership should be a special and hard earned honour, a way of recognizing

and rewarding exceptional performance from a Member through enhancing the

reputation of the Club or working to ensure the operation or development of the Club;

o There should be a limit on the number of Life Members at any one time, since a

significant increase could impact on the budget of the Club.

The Committee were split 50:50 on the question of whether to continue with Life

Membership or to cease the practice forthwith.

Motion 1: PEDAS continues to invite new Life Members into the future.

(This Motion was by secret ballot).

Result: Agreed-36 Disagreed-13 Abstained-4

Members agreed to continue Life Membership.

Motion 2: There will be a maximum of 3 Life Members at any one time.

Result: Agreed-34 Disagreed-3 Abstained-16

Members agreed there should be a maximum of three Life Members.

Motion 3: In the event of there being a vacancy for Life Membership, names of

nominated life members, together with a brief resume supporting the nomination, can be

put forward to the committee by any member of PEDAS up to 2 weeks prior to the AGM.

Names of those nominated will then be presented to members at the AGM with their

resume. Voting will be by written ballot. Election will be on a simple majority vote.

The reading of this, admittedly long and complex Motion, was met with some puzzlement

and the vote was interrupted by a request to discuss the matter. It was felt that this

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proposal was overly complicated but, more importantly, that it would be uncomfortable and

embarrassing for members at the AGM to vote for one fellow member to receive Life

Membership in favour of another, even if it were by secret ballot. A number of members

expressed their preference for the Committee to make the invitation as they thought fit.

There appeared to be a mood for the Committee to take responsibility for Life Membership

that needed to be put to a vote.

Motion 4: In the event of there being a vacancy for Life Membership, the decision to

offer Life Membership to a Member who has made exceptional and outstanding

contributions to the life and reputation of the Poole and East Dorset Art Society should be a

matter for the agreement of the Committee (not verbatim at the AGM).

Result: Agreed-48 Disagreed-0 Abstained-5

Given that the final Motion had not been written down or viewed in advance by

members, it is felt that whilst the principle of the decision was noted and would

stand, this matter would be brought back to the 2018 AGM for with revised wording

for the Constitution.

(iii) Sarah Palmer asked, in view of the relative cost of the Newsletter, if members who had

opted to take a posted, paper copy, might be prepared to make a financial contribution for

that preference. The Treasurer said the Committee would give that some consideration.

(iv) Naj Hayden wondered if there might be some dispensation for working members to submit

works to future exhibitions at the

weekends, rather than in the middle of

the week. It was explained that it was

important to open an exhibition before

a weekend in order to take advantage

of more people visiting UCP. A solution

used by other members has been to

ask a friend or fellow member to take

work in on their behalf. This would be

perfectly acceptable.

11. Close of AGM

------Break for tea-----

Presentation by John Bowen was a talk on

the Art of Paul Nash prior to our visit to the

Tate Britain exhibition in February.

16

POOLE AND EAST DORSET ART SOCIETY

CONSTITUTION : 2017

1. NAME:

1.1 The Society shall be known as “Poole and East Dorset Art Society”

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 To foster an active interest in the arts:

2.2 To arrange exhibitions of members’ work:

2.3 To organise events and demonstrations that enable members and guests to meet

and work together:

2.4 To ensure all present and future members receive fair and equal treatment:

3. MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Membership fees will be set annually and agreed by the Executive Committee or

determined at the Annual General Meeting:

3.2 Fees will be paid annually from the first meeting in January:

3.3 Non-payment of fees by the end of March in the year in which they are due, will be

assumed as a resignation from the Society:

4. NEW MEMBERSHIP

4.1 Anyone who is prepared to be committed to the aims and objectives of the Society

by taking part in its activities, will be welcome:

4.2 Application for membership can be made at any of the Society’s meetings except for

the AGM:

4.3 All members will be subject to the regulations of the Constitution and by joining the

Society and signing an application form will be deemed to accept the regulations and

codes of practice that the Society has adopted

4.4 Visitors who have been invited by the Committee to become members of the Society

can be enrolled on two occasions in each year, February or July. Those enrolling in

February shall pay a whole year’s subscription and for those enrolling in July a six

months subscription.

5. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY

5.1 The Officers of the Society will be

President

Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

5.2 All of the Officers of the Society are entitled to attend and vote at all committee and

sub-committees of the Society.

5.3 Officers will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

5.4 All Officers, except the President, will serve for a maximum of 3 years in succession.

6. COMMITTEE

6.1 The Society will be managed through the Executive Committee consisting of

Chair, Secretary, Treasurer: plus a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 elected

Members

Each member of the Executive Committee will have one vote at meetings of the

Committee, with the Chair having a casting vote where necessary

The Executive Committee meetings will be convened by the Secretary of the Society

and held no less than 6 times per year:

The quorum required for business to be agreed at the Executive Committee meeting

will be four:

The Executive Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, copies of

practice and rules that affect the organisation of the Society, but any new rules shall

only be valid until the following AGM when it shall lapse unless confirmed.

The Executive Committee will have powers co-Members, to appoint sub-committees

as necessary and appoint advisers to the Executive Committee in order to fulfil its

business:

7. FINANCE

7.1 All Society monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the Society:

7.2 The Society Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the Society:

7.3 The financial year of the Society will end on 31 December:

7.4 A Statement of Annual Accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the Annual

General Meeting:

7.5 Any cheques drawn against Society funds should hold the signatures of the

Treasurer plus one other officer:

8. ANNUAL AND EXTROARDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS

8.1 The Annual General Meetings (AGM) will be held on the first Sunday in February

8.2 The AGM will receive a report from officers of the Executive Committee and a

statement of the accounts.

8.3 Any Member of the Society can nominate any other member as an Officer or

Member of the Executive Committee before or at the AGM. Nominations should be

made to the incumbent Secretary.

8.4 Elections of officers and Executive Committee Members are to take place at the

AGM.

8.5 All Members have the right to vote at the AGM.

8.6 The quorum for AGMs will be 25.

8.7 The Executive Committee has the right to call Extraordinary General Meetings

(EGMs) outside the AGM. Notice of 7 clear days must be given in writing or email.

8.8 EGMs can be called at any time by the membership, through the presentation to the

Secretary of a requisition signed by at least 25 members. The EGM must be called

within six weeks of receipt of such a requisition and notice of seven clear days must

be given in writing or email.

9. DISCIPLINE AND APPEALS

9.1 All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and

submitted in writing to the Secretary or other Officer of the Society:

9.2 The Executive Committee will meet to hear complaints within seven days of a

complaint being lodged. The Committee has the power to take appropriate

disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

9.3 The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who

lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within

five days of the hearing.

9.4 There will be the right of appeal to the Executive Committee following disciplinary

action being announced. The Executive Committee should consider the appeal

within seven days of the Secretary receiving it and will inform the appellant within a

further five days. That decision will be final.

10. DISSOLUTION

10.1 A resolution to dissolve the Society can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through

a majority vote of the membership.

10.2 In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Society that remain will be realised for

cash (by the Executive Committee) and the whole proceeds (after meeting all

outstanding liabilities) given to the Artists’ Benevolent Fund.

11. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

11.1 The Constitution shall not be altered or varied in any way, except by a vote of 75%

members attending a General Meeting of the Society.

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PEDAS SPRING EXHIBITION

FLAVOUR a celebration of food & drink in drawing painting & sculpture

This is your invitation to submit work for the PEDAS Spring Exhibition which will be held at the

Gallery Upstairs from 7th – 24th April

* Submission date is Wednesday 5th April between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm.

* The theme of this exhibition is food and drink conveyed in drawing, painting, printing & sculpture.

Please feel free to explore this theme in a broad sense; the title ‘Flavour’ is merely meant to attract

interest.

* You may submit up to two works in total from the following: paintings, drawings, textiles, prints,

(ie. 2-dimensional works) AND up to two 3-dimensional works.

* This year we will hold a Launch Party on Saturday 8th April from 11.00-1.00 pm.

* Collection of work on Tuesday 25th April, 10.30am to 12.30 pm.

* All 2-dimensional works (with the exception of textile wall hangings) must be suitably framed, or

on unframed canvas, and must be fitted with mirror plates half way down.

* All frames and mounts must be of good quality and in a sound and clean condition. Work will be

rejected if they are not.

* 3-dimensional works must be freestanding or capable of being hung from the cross beams. On

the grounds of safety all 3D work must be either light in weight or very stable and not capable of

being pushed over. The Committee is responsible for risk assessing work and rejecting if not

suitable.

* Entry is £5 for each piece of work and commission will be charged at 15%.

* All work to be labelled on the back with name, title, medium and price, and on a stringed label to

hang down over the front for cataloguing.

* All artists must be prepared to steward for at least 2 half day periods, so please don’t forget your

diaries when bringing in work. You may pre-book your sessions by emailing Caroline Robertson,

tac10kle@btinternet.com

* You may submit up to 20 cards of your own work properly presented with envelopes and in

cellophane and with just your name and price clearly written on the card. Please do not use titles

and only price in multiples of 50p. Also, please do NOT replenish any cards from the original 20.

There will be commission to be paid of 10% on card sales.

* Members may provide up to two pieces of work which can be placed in a browser with a

minimum price of £20. Work should be in cellophane with the artist’s name, title, medium and price

clearly marked. Browsers will be supplied. There will be commission to pay of 10% but work does

not have to be new to the Gallery; members can only have work in the browsers if they already

have new work being displayed.

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* In order to encourage more sculpture we have decided, on this occasion, that any sculpture that

is Not for Sale will not be charged the £5 entry fee. However, members would still be required to

steward as usual.

* There will be a folder containing CVs of artists about themselves and their work. Please provide

on A4 sheet if you wish to be included. Don’t forget to add contact details to your CV if you wish to

be contacted by prospective buyers.

* There will be a file for supporting material, so if you wish please supply well-presented material

on ONE A4 sheet for inclusion.

* Please Note: The Gallery is not responsible for the safety of any work exhibited and members

may arrange their own insurance if required.

* All work should be new to The Gallery Upstairs.

“This morning it’s delicious apples and grapes”

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ENTRY FORM

PEDAS SPRING EXHIBITION, ‘FLAVOUR’, 7th – 24th April 2017

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM AND BRING IT WITH YOUR WORK ON WEDNESDAY 5th

APRIL from 10.30 am-12.30 pm. CHEQUES MADE PAYABLE TO PEDAS. THANK YOU.

NAME……………………………………………..PHONE NO………………………………………….

2-DIMENSIONAL WORK TITLE MEDIUM PRICE

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

3-DIMENSIONAL WORK

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

WORK IN BROWSERS

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

PAID…………………………………Stewarding List Signed…………………………………………..

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