Demonstrations are free for members   and they may bring along a guest for a fee of £5. Workshops and Trips are worked out at cost, to members and guests can attend trips if requests are made to The Programme Manager via the Society's email.

Special Ticketed Events for Members and their guests:  We run several extra social events during the year, which are ticketed and charged at a subsidised rate. During 2025 we had a BBQ  and a Christmas Lunch in December.

Thursday 19th February is a ZOOM demonstration Susan Watt.

Susan completed an excellent collage of poppies during our January meeting, which was not very well attended because of the atrocious weather. susan has kindly agreed to a Zoom demonstration on Thursday 19th February, before her workshop on 21st March. This time she will be creating a seascape.

Looking at Art 2026

Thursday 26^th February 7.00 pm start

“Looking at Art” by Michael Culverwell

The Life and Work of William York Macgregor

He was one of the leading artists in the group known as the Glasgow Boys, painting landscapes and contemporary scenes in a fresh, direct way, influenced by developments in French painting. With his school friend, James Paterson, a fellow Glasgow Boy, he often painted during summer expeditions out of the city. After studying at Glasgow School of Art and in a local artist's studio, Macgregor attended the Slade School in London under Alphonse Legros. On his return to Glasgow he ran a life class in his studio, which became the regular meeting place for the Glasgow Boys.

28th February 2026 Workshop

Popi Koutentaki: 'Try it' Oil Painting

10am-4pm

At The Memorial Hall Art Studio, Hathaway Lane, Shottery, CV37 9BL

£41

Members Only.

Discover the Joy of Oil Painting in a Day! Join our Taste of Oil Painting Workshop — a one-day immersive experience designed for absolute beginners and art enthusiasts alike. In this friendly, hands-on class, you’ll learn the essentials of oil painting, from mixing colors and blending techniques to creating texture and capturing light. Guided, step-by-step, by Popi Koutentaki, you’ll explore the magic of oils in a relaxed, supportive studio environment. No prior experience is needed — just bring your curiosity and creativity!

By the end of the day, you’ll leave not only with new skills and confidence but also your very own finished oil painting to proudly take home. Whether you’re looking to spark a new hobby, reconnect with your artistic side, or simply enjoy a day of creativity and relaxation, this workshop offers a perfect introduction to the timeless beauty of oil painting. All materials are provided — you just bring yourself and a willingness to get inspired!

Popi Koutentaki – Artist Biography

Born in Crete, Popi Koutentaki lives and works in the UK. Her paintings combine fluid lines and vibrant drops of color, freeing hidden forms within the canvas. When color is absent, black and white dominate—reflecting life’s contrasts. Her works are filled with symbols, both subtle and direct, expressing personal and universal life lessons.

Popi’s love for art began at age four; by ten, she was drawing portraits. She studied Art and Design at Akron University, training in portraiture with artist Bill Kufahl. In Crete, she continued her artistic journey, experimenting with diverse materials and techniques. While taking painting lessons from Greek artist George Thomas Georgiades, she learned loom weaving and metal embossing and began painting with encaustics—the ancient technique using wax, resin, and natural pigments.

Later, as a mature student at WCG Warwickshire College, she continued her Art and Design studies, exploring eco-printing and papermaking at Malvern College and Art Therapy with Jane Sheuer at Royal Leamington Spa College.

Popi has exhibited in Greece, the USA, France, Italy, and Cyprus and the UK. She has taught art extensively, organized workshops, created public and private murals, and illustrated 16 children’s books. She is currently developing a Mandala series and a children’s book promoting ocean conservation.

She has been awarded a stand by Warwickshire Open Studios for Plein Air Competition at Compton Verney to exhibit her paintings at the Leamington Art in the Park Festival in August 2026.

18th April Workshop

Estelle Robinson: Charcoal and Pastels

10am – 4pm

At Shottery Memorial Hall Art Studio.

CV37 9BL

£47

Following several very successful workshops, we are delighted to welcome back Estelle Robinson. She is an amazing tutor and you can be guaranteed to go home with an art work you are proud of.

In this session, participants will explore the versatile nature of charcoal to capture the impact and movement in this image. We will begin by experimenting with various charcoal types and mark-making techniques on different surfaces, allowing you to get a tactile feel for how this fluid medium handles.

For the main piece we will be ​using a combination of willow and compressed charcoal, we will block in the foundational structure and then refine the piece with charcoal pencils for detail, finishing with a splash of pastel for colour. The result will be a powerful study in texture, impactful colour, and atmospheric energy.

All art materials will be provided.

Refreshments are provided but bring your own mug and your lunch.

25th April and 9th May  Workshop

(2 half days - 1.30pm-4pm)

Sarah Miles - Textured acrylic

 At Shottery Memorial Hall Art Studio, Hathaway Lane, CV37 9BL

£45 includes both sessions.

After last year's fun and experimental workshop on playing with textures, we have asked Sarah back.

Join Sarah Miles on two afternoons, exploring textures with acrylics, and blending abstract backgrounds with more realistic florals, plants, and still lifes (your choice!) Sarah will be showing you how to build up a beautiful, layered background using materials like stencils, gesso, objects found in nature and around the house, and even elements of your subject. If you have old pieces of work that you don’t know what to do with, you can also bring them along and explore ways of incorporating pieces of those into your artwork. In the second afternoon, we will learn to draw and paint our main subject on top, and find out how to let elements of your background shine through your main subject. This way of working is a great way to build up meaning and personalise your artwork. Sarah will be most likely working on a floral piece, and include some elements to personalise it or link it back to some folklore (it’s just what she likes to do!)

Please bring with you:

A canvas (Sarah suggests approximately A3 to A2 in size)

Acrylic paints

Brushes, water pots, palettes and kitchen towel

Charcoal/ chalk and fixative (or you can draw with your paint and brush if you prefer)

Reference images of your chosen subject (if you’re stuck, Sarah will have a folder of references for you to look through on the day). Please remember, a good contrast in light and dark areas can be helpful.

Any materials you might like to explore using as a way to build up textures, e.g. leaves to print with, sticks to draw with, stencils and stamps… anything! Sarah will also bring lots of materials for you to help yourself to, so don’t worry if you’re stuck.

Here is a picture of the horse Sarah worked on in the last workshop on this subject, so you can have some idea of what to expect!

Turner and Constable Rivals and Originals

Sunday 22nd March

Price £42 includes coach and ticket to exhibition

Two of Britain’s greatest painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable were also the greatest of rivals. Born within a year of each other – Turner in 1775, Constable in 1776 – the art critics of the day compared their paintings to a clash of ‘fire and water’.

Raised in the gritty heart of Georgian London, Turner quickly became a young star of the art world despite his humble beginnings. Meanwhile Constable, the son of a wealthy Suffolk merchant, was equally determined to forge his own path as an artist but faced a longer, more arduous rise to acclaim. Though from different worlds, both artists were united in their desire to transform landscape painting for the better.

With the two painters vying for success through very different but equally bold approaches, the scene was soon set for a heady rivalry within the competitive world of landscape art. Turner painted blazing sunsets and sublime scenes from his travels, while Constable often returned to depictions of a handful of beloved places, striving for freshness and authenticity in his portrayal of nature.

Marking 250 years since their births, this landmark exhibition explores Turner and Constable's intertwined lives and legacies. Discover unexpected sides to both artists alongside intimate insights seen through sketchbooks and personal items.

Experience many of the artists’ greatest works, with over 170 paintings and works on paper. Highlights include Turner’s momentous 1835 The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, not seen in Britain for over a century and The White Horse 1819, one of Constable’s greatest artistic achievements.

This is a one in a lifetime opportunity to explore the careers of the two greatest British landscape painters, seen – as they often were in their own time – side by side.

Cost £42

Depart Henley 8. 15 am                                          Return Tate Britain 4.00

Rother St., 8.45 am                                               

Holy Trinity School 9.00 am                              Arrive Holy Trinity School 7.00

Arrive Tate Britain 12.00

International Watercolour Masters Elite Art Exhibition 17th May Lilleshall Shropshire

 
Staged at the beautiful Lilleshall Hall the show is a unique event, bringing together the best Watercolour Artists from across the globe. This is the only watercolour event of its kind, in the UK. Not only will it be possible to view the exhibition but there are also 3 demonstrations a day.

The Art Market, run by Bromley, will be stocked with quality art supplies throughout the event. All live demonstrations are included with your day ticket.

There are on-site restaurants, cafes, Italian gardens, nature trails, disabled access, and free parking, it’s a fantastic day out.

Demonstrations on the day

Javid Tabatabaie – 11AM

Michael Solovyev - 12:30PM

Nicolas Lopez - 2PM

Cost £30 Entry tickets included in the price

Depart Henley 8. 30 am                                          Return Lilleshall 4.00

Rother St., 9.00 am                                               

Holy Trinity School 9.30 am                                    Arrive Holy Trinity School 6.00

Arrive Lilleshall 11.30