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 2024 we had a BBQ and a lecture about putting on an exhibition and a Christmas Lunch in December. We are had another BBQ in 2025.

Thursday 9th October is a demonstration in charcoal, by Paul Berryman.

Self-confessed Portrait and life-drawing junkie, Paul’s work invariably revolves around capturing the human face and figure. He prefers the challenge of working from life, and although his style is very likeness orientated, he still describes his favourite thing in art as “that moment when you get close to a work, and realise you’ve been deceived; the skill of the artist having actually given you very little to create the image you saw from farther away”. He says reducing an image to its barest form but still with the aim of giving the viewer a full and rich experience is his favourite challenge.

Holy Trinity School,  

Willows Dr N, Stratford-upon-Avon.

CV37 9QN

7pm start. Doors open at 6.45pm

Wednesday 12th November is a ZOOM demonstration in acrylics, by Hashim Akib.

Hashim Akib began his career as an illustrator. For 15 years he worked with a wide range of famous clients including The New Yorker, Time magazine and the Royal Mail. The discipline of his profession gave Hashim a solid grounding in drawing and painting which set him in excellent stead for a move into fine art. His painting quickly gained recognition and he was awarded the title of Artist of the Year 2009 by the SAA (Society of All Artists). Hashim’s work can be found in private collections across the UK and overseas. He has exhibited with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, New English Art Club, Society of Wildlife Artists, David Shepherd Artist of the Year and Royal Society of Marine Artists at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London. His work features in the UK’s National Art Collection. Ever keen to share his expertise, Hashim has taught his unique techniques to art schools in the UK, Italy and France.

Thursday 13th November Monthly Demonstration by Lindsay Attwood: Acrylics

'Lindsey Attwood is a local Kenilworth artist who loves both painting and calligraphy. Her work is inspired by places she has visited, views found on walks, the delight of watching people go about their ordinary lives and her Christian faith. Light is a key theme in many of her paintings whether the wonder of lights at night or the effect of atmosphere and shadows in the day. Lindsey is also inspired by words where gold leaf is often incorporated as another way of exploring light. She works to commission for both calligraphy and Painting.'

Saturday 13th, 27th September and 4th October

10am-12.30pm

Peter Kotka: Three part workshop on the traditional oil painting techniques of Vermeer.

£60 for three morning sessions.

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

Members Only.



Peter Kotka has done extensive research into how Vermeer produced his works of art. In this three part workshop we will follow the traditional process to reproduce one of vermeer's most loved paintings: Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Peter is a really popular tutor, with many years of experience, who is also an internationally acclaimed artist in his own right.

Week 1.

Undersketch:

Draw image,

Colours: Ivory Black, Burnt Umber, Quinacridone rose, Yellow Ochre, to create an underpainting.

Medium: Studio Safe Solvent (eg Zest it)

Week 2.

Dead layer:

Colours: Flake or Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black, Quinacridone rose, Vermilion, Ultramarine Blue.

Medium: solvent as above and linseed oil mix.

Week 3.

Finish Layer:

Colours: Flake or Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black, Quinacridone rose, Vermilion, Ultramarine Blue.

Medium: Liquin

27th September and 4th October

2 part Workshop pm only, 1.30pm-4pm

Sarah Miles: Acrylic texture

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

Members Only.

£45 for the two afternoon sessions.

 Find the joy in bringing abstract backgrounds and more realistic subjects together on Sarah's 'Textured Acrylics' workshop. In the first session, Sarah will demonstrate and support you in creating an exciting abstract background through layering, printing, stencilling, and adding other mediums on top. We will be using anything to create texture, from stencilling with leaves, to printing with Duplo blocks. Anything you think may leave a good Texture, we welcome you to bring it along and have a go! Sarah will also have lots of other textures and materials for you to explore with.

In the second session, Sarah will help you add a subject on top of your abstract canvas. In the example pictured, Sarah has painted a black jaguar, and will have lots of reference images of other wild animals. If you'd prefer to paint something else, feel free to bring your own images! The better the contrasts between light and shadow on your reference image, the easier it will be to paint. We will finish up the session with final touches and embellishments, if you'd like.

On this workshop, we will be working in acrylics for the most part, but this technique could be applied to most mediums.

Please bring a canvas, your Acrylics and brushes, and, if you feel inspired, anything you may want to use for textures.

We look forward to seeing you!"

18th October Workshop

David Wilcox: Dynamic Watercolour

10am-4pm

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

£39

Members Only.

After studying painting and Art History at Bournville School of Art, David attended Wolverhampton College of Art, where he studied for a degree under the guidance of Brendan Neiland, the Photo-Realist painter.As a watercolourist, he uses the English technique of many transparent washes, allowing only the white of the paper to create the highlights. By contrast, on canvases, David uses the Baroque technique of pulling the image out of a dark background for dramatic effect. He has been working on a series of paintings based on the productions of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Exploring aspects of dance with a greater emphasis on dynamic composition and colour.

David writes:"For the workshop I shall be demonstrating, probably two paintings, one of a ballet scene and another to be decided. As it will be a painting workshop and not a drawing workshop I shall provide templates to work from, concentrating on watercolour techniques.

Materials required will be: watercolour paper

11x14 inches minimum. Paints: Alizarin Crimson, Prussian Blue, Quinacridone Gold (if possible) and any other colours by preference."

Refreshments will be provided but please bring your own lunch and mug.

Sunday 9th November Walker Gallery Liverpool

Turner: Always Contemporary

This exhibition will mark 250 years since the birth of JMW Turner, exploring both the artist’s own work and his enduring impact on later generations of artists.

Turner: Always Contemporary will include National Museums Liverpool's collection of Turner's oil paintings, works on paper and prints, alongside modern and contemporary artworks that delve into themes of travel, landscape, and artistic experimentation. A number of important and influential loaned works will also feature.

It will offer fresh perspectives on Turner and his legacy, highlighting how he grappled with issues that remain relevant today: climate change, immigration, tourism, and the role of the artist. Alongside Turner's works, visitors will encounter pieces by Claude Monet, Ethel Walker, Bridget Riley and many more, bringing together 250 years of art to examine Turner's timeless appeal.

Also, at the Walker Gallery John Moores Painting Prize 2025. One of the UK’s most prestigious contemporary painting exhibitions, showcasing the very latest in painting,

Lots to do around the Walker Gallery, the Museum of Liverpool and the Docks development.

Cost of coach £35

Entry to the exhibition £14 which should be booked beforehand.

Departs: Henley 8.45           Arrives: Liverpool 11.30

             Rother St 9.15               

             Race Course 9.30

Leave     Liverpool 4.00        Arrive Stratford 6.00

Tuesday 4th December Christmas lunch

Stratford Golf Club
Free drink of your choice at the bar

Starter

Classic king prawn cocktail 

Stilton and broccoli soup served with parmesan croutons and baked ciabatta

Ardennes pate served with toasted brioche, red onion chutney and micro wild rocket

Main

Carved Norfolk roast turkey and sirloin of beef served with pigs in blankets, Brussel sprouts with chestnuts, glazed carrots, roast potatoes, honey Glazed parsnips, cranberry stuffing, bread sauce and gravy

Nut roast (walnuts and cashews with butternut squash, sweet potato, red onion marmalade, apricot, cranberries and flaked almonds)

Dessert

Traditional Christmas pudding served with brandy cream custard

Chocolate and salted caramel tart served with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce

Honeycomb ice cream 

Coffee and mince pies

Cost £25