CHAIRMAN'S REPORT AGM 7TH OCTOBER 2021
Dear EAG
Eye Arts Guild, Forever Moving Forward.
Welcome to our AGM and welcome back to the bowls club after such a long break due to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic! The winter programme 2020 started briefly before the country went back into a national lockdown in March and we had to close our doors…….again….. but only to the bowls club! The group was kept very much alive by the help of the hard working committee and a few other members.
Firstly, we had The Blog. A big thank you to Noreen and Hannah for keeping this running in such a friendly and lively manner. It has worked really well with everyone who was able to participate posting their work by Thursday afternoon. The numbers who looked at it each week were good to high. Many of us eagerly awaiting to see what each weeks work produced. For those unable to go on the summer outings, photos were posted for them to work on for the following week if they wished to or work on their own piece. This worked well. Thank you to everyone involved.
We were also very lucky to have Avril who suggested running a Zoom meeting each Thursday during the winter sessions at the time we would have been showing our work to each other in the Bowls club. This was well attended. It was a great way of staying in touch, showing work and being given help and guidance when stuck on a painting. There were even a few impromptu tutorials of a sort! We were also able to hold committee meetings via this. So a big thank you to Avril for setting this up and running it.
We managed to run a couple of projects throughout the winter. The first being the patchwork picture. It needed a little bit more organising but was very successful. Thank you Hannah for your help with this. And what a cheerful picture it was for these times.
The second project, for those wishing to, was to produce a self portrait 10”x10”. Not as easy as it sounds! There was great hilarity on the Zoom meetings as some showed their work, the disasters as well as the successes. Some participants having 4-5 attempts! Again, this can be seen on our wonderful website.
We have also been writing letters throughout the year as a way of keeping everyone involved, especially for those who don’t have access to the Blog, an email or who were unable to join in on the Zoom meetings. There has been a lot of positive feedback from these and so I will try to keep them going for people who are unable to join us at the bowls club.
We were finally able to meet up in May of this year for the summer programme of 20 sessions and what a joy it was for all those able to come along to the venues. There were longer than normal coffee, lunch and tea breaks as there seemed to be so much to talk about, including art! There has been many compliments regarding the choice of venues. We do our best to make sure there is something for all tastes. The weather was variable but not one was cancelled due to bad weather. Numbers varied from three to 12 partly due to weather and partly due to other commitments.
In July/August we had an exhibition at The Bank where we sold two pictures.
Due to the COVID situation the committee decided unanimously to allow a free years membership to all as a thank you for your support and understanding during these times. It’s not been an easy time for so many!
I feel really honoured to be a part of this group as I’m sure many of you do too. It’s firstly about art but there are many sides to this group that make it as great as it is. So thank you to all of you for your part in it.
Finally a huge thank you to the committee Sally T (deputy) Ian (treasurer)Maggie-Anne (secretary) Noreen and Hannah (website) Harriet( membership secretary) Lesley (chief programme organiser) Jackie, Les B and Richard. All of them Guiding me and helping to run the Eye Arts Guild.
Sally Procner
Chair
Eye Arts Guild, Forever Moving Forward.
Welcome to our AGM and welcome back to the bowls club after such a long break due to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic! The winter programme 2020 started briefly before the country went back into a national lockdown in March and we had to close our doors…….again….. but only to the bowls club! The group was kept very much alive by the help of the hard working committee and a few other members.
Firstly, we had The Blog. A big thank you to Noreen and Hannah for keeping this running in such a friendly and lively manner. It has worked really well with everyone who was able to participate posting their work by Thursday afternoon. The numbers who looked at it each week were good to high. Many of us eagerly awaiting to see what each weeks work produced. For those unable to go on the summer outings, photos were posted for them to work on for the following week if they wished to or work on their own piece. This worked well. Thank you to everyone involved.
We were also very lucky to have Avril who suggested running a Zoom meeting each Thursday during the winter sessions at the time we would have been showing our work to each other in the Bowls club. This was well attended. It was a great way of staying in touch, showing work and being given help and guidance when stuck on a painting. There were even a few impromptu tutorials of a sort! We were also able to hold committee meetings via this. So a big thank you to Avril for setting this up and running it.
We managed to run a couple of projects throughout the winter. The first being the patchwork picture. It needed a little bit more organising but was very successful. Thank you Hannah for your help with this. And what a cheerful picture it was for these times.
The second project, for those wishing to, was to produce a self portrait 10”x10”. Not as easy as it sounds! There was great hilarity on the Zoom meetings as some showed their work, the disasters as well as the successes. Some participants having 4-5 attempts! Again, this can be seen on our wonderful website.
We have also been writing letters throughout the year as a way of keeping everyone involved, especially for those who don’t have access to the Blog, an email or who were unable to join in on the Zoom meetings. There has been a lot of positive feedback from these and so I will try to keep them going for people who are unable to join us at the bowls club.
We were finally able to meet up in May of this year for the summer programme of 20 sessions and what a joy it was for all those able to come along to the venues. There were longer than normal coffee, lunch and tea breaks as there seemed to be so much to talk about, including art! There has been many compliments regarding the choice of venues. We do our best to make sure there is something for all tastes. The weather was variable but not one was cancelled due to bad weather. Numbers varied from three to 12 partly due to weather and partly due to other commitments.
In July/August we had an exhibition at The Bank where we sold two pictures.
Due to the COVID situation the committee decided unanimously to allow a free years membership to all as a thank you for your support and understanding during these times. It’s not been an easy time for so many!
I feel really honoured to be a part of this group as I’m sure many of you do too. It’s firstly about art but there are many sides to this group that make it as great as it is. So thank you to all of you for your part in it.
Finally a huge thank you to the committee Sally T (deputy) Ian (treasurer)Maggie-Anne (secretary) Noreen and Hannah (website) Harriet( membership secretary) Lesley (chief programme organiser) Jackie, Les B and Richard. All of them Guiding me and helping to run the Eye Arts Guild.
Sally Procner
Chair
From Sally P. 9 September 2021
Dear all
I hope that you are well and enjoying the sun that has finally come out. Let’s hope that it lasts for a few days at least!
The summer programme has been running successfully and enjoyed by those who are able to come along. I think it would be fair to say that the coffee, tea and lunch breaks have been slightly longer than in previous years but the work is still plentiful and of a high standard. Thank you to all of you who have contributed to the blog during this time. A great success!
Hopefully this will be the last letter I write before we meet up in the bowls club.
The first session on Thursday 7th October is the AGM followed by the showing of our work ‘The Pleasures of Life’ that was set two years ago! So hunt it out and dust it down or quickly paint a new one! ( I bet this has changed for most of us during this time!) Please do try to come along. It will be so lovely to see faces that we haven’t seen for so long. You will need to bring your own drink but biscuits will be provided.
You will be receiving a winter programme that we have, at this moment in time, only planned until Christmas. You will notice that we are trying to work to a safe environment. After a few of the sessions have run we will evaluate and plan the programme for the new year. We know it might not be to everyone’s liking but at this moment in time it seems best for safe distancing. ( Please believe me when I say that the committee have spent many hours deliberating over this!). We do hope eventually to get back to how it was before the pandemic arrived but just feel that we need to tread slowly and safely towards that! There will also be an attachment regarding COVID safety rules. There is a slip at the bottom that we would like you to reply to either by email, snail mail or phone. My telephone number is 01379 669073.
Our exhibition at The Bank finally came down on 30th Aug. We sold two pictures…… well done Diana and Frances.
The committee have decided to not hang another exhibition at The Bank at this time due to poor results at this and previous exhibitions. We are looking into two possibilities for next year and will let you know as and when we have made progress.
Fingers crossed for October.
Regards to all
Sally P
I hope that you are well and enjoying the sun that has finally come out. Let’s hope that it lasts for a few days at least!
The summer programme has been running successfully and enjoyed by those who are able to come along. I think it would be fair to say that the coffee, tea and lunch breaks have been slightly longer than in previous years but the work is still plentiful and of a high standard. Thank you to all of you who have contributed to the blog during this time. A great success!
Hopefully this will be the last letter I write before we meet up in the bowls club.
The first session on Thursday 7th October is the AGM followed by the showing of our work ‘The Pleasures of Life’ that was set two years ago! So hunt it out and dust it down or quickly paint a new one! ( I bet this has changed for most of us during this time!) Please do try to come along. It will be so lovely to see faces that we haven’t seen for so long. You will need to bring your own drink but biscuits will be provided.
You will be receiving a winter programme that we have, at this moment in time, only planned until Christmas. You will notice that we are trying to work to a safe environment. After a few of the sessions have run we will evaluate and plan the programme for the new year. We know it might not be to everyone’s liking but at this moment in time it seems best for safe distancing. ( Please believe me when I say that the committee have spent many hours deliberating over this!). We do hope eventually to get back to how it was before the pandemic arrived but just feel that we need to tread slowly and safely towards that! There will also be an attachment regarding COVID safety rules. There is a slip at the bottom that we would like you to reply to either by email, snail mail or phone. My telephone number is 01379 669073.
Our exhibition at The Bank finally came down on 30th Aug. We sold two pictures…… well done Diana and Frances.
The committee have decided to not hang another exhibition at The Bank at this time due to poor results at this and previous exhibitions. We are looking into two possibilities for next year and will let you know as and when we have made progress.
Fingers crossed for October.
Regards to all
Sally P
For previous messages in 2021 from our chairman, Sally P., please see under "messages from members"
Chair's Report 2019
As musician Elvis Costello once sang...... ‘It’s been a good year for the roses...’ and I think that we, The Eye Arts Guild, have also had a good one. We have a full membership and 3 on the waiting list. Two spaces became available and we have offered these to Elaine Phillips and John Walters. They will be attending a couple of sessions before they finally commit to the group or choose to go elsewhere.
We continue to flourish and evolve and are always looking for new inspiration and ideas that we like to try out. Some we take on board, some we don’t. But we’re prepared to have a go.
With this just said, we are going to try a new format for the winter sessions. We will be having one larger Still Life table, a smaller table for free choice and the usual end for figure drawing. The reason being that we have noticed that several people each week like to bring in their own work. This will lighten the workload for the person setting up.
Winter programme
There were 28 indoor sessions, the first one being the AGM and a show of work, then 5 themed mornings run by members, 16 model and still life sessions and 4 day long workshops. Unfortunately, two of these had to be cancelled due to problems from the tutors side. But not to be wasted, we made use of the days by everyone bringing their own work. In fact it was such a success that we are purposely bringing a free session into the programme. Finally, the chairman’s project - there was such a great show of work. Always a joy to see and find out how people got to their final piece.
Christmas Party
This Christmas there was a change to the format due to the playwright being indisposed. Instead of ‘The Panto’ we had a series of small sketches, poems, stories and songs which was warmly received along with the usual Quiz, Patchwork picture and a new challenge that went down a treat. Remember the reindeers, and of course not forgetting the lovely feast that you all helped to provide.
Coach trip
The changeover from winter to summer is marked by the coach trip. A natural break in the programme. The coach was not filled this year but those of us who went had a very enjoyable day and we were blessed with good weather...again. There is always plenty to do and new exhibitions to see along with the old favourites.
Summer programme
There were 22 summer sessions this year. We tried to make sure that more were local but we still like to include the sea, water and even a swimming pool! The average numbers for the summer was about 8-9. The first session at Gazes, was a bit on the cool side but in fact, what kept people away this year was the extreme heat! One particular session, at Angela’s, my parked car read a temperature of 48* at 3.30 and only went down to 36* as I drove along!
We do encourage car sharing on the further afield trips which allows more people to be able to attend.
Exhibitions
We still have our rolling exhibition at the Wetland Centre which is running well. We are quite the envy of some having this facility. So far we have sold 6 pictures there. It is a free exhibition space and just 15% commission for each picture sold.
We had an exhibition at The Bank in Eye over Christmas where we sold 6 pictures. We will be having another one this coming year.
There were two exhibitions at The Swan in Harleston. Although not a great success, we did sell two pictures. Sadly there was not a great deal of foot fall.
We have now stopped exhibiting at The Eye Surgery. This is by mutual agreement. Both parties feeling that it had reached the end of its course.
Thanks
I would like to thank ALL the committee members who work incredibly hard behind the scenes to make this club the success that it is. Organising the summer and winter programmes, the exhibitions, the web page, the Christmas party, the treasurer, the secretary and membership secretary, publicity and even for the tea and coffee provided each week. A big thank you to Jackie, who is stepping down from membership secretary after 10 years.
Thank you all for setting up fabulous still life and figure drawing scenes and for your input with suggestions and ideas that we try to incorporate into the programme. Also with help setting up, tidying away and all the little extras that do get noticed and are appreciated.
And finally thank you for all managing to put up with a year of me.....one down two to go!
Cheers
Sally P
We continue to flourish and evolve and are always looking for new inspiration and ideas that we like to try out. Some we take on board, some we don’t. But we’re prepared to have a go.
With this just said, we are going to try a new format for the winter sessions. We will be having one larger Still Life table, a smaller table for free choice and the usual end for figure drawing. The reason being that we have noticed that several people each week like to bring in their own work. This will lighten the workload for the person setting up.
Winter programme
There were 28 indoor sessions, the first one being the AGM and a show of work, then 5 themed mornings run by members, 16 model and still life sessions and 4 day long workshops. Unfortunately, two of these had to be cancelled due to problems from the tutors side. But not to be wasted, we made use of the days by everyone bringing their own work. In fact it was such a success that we are purposely bringing a free session into the programme. Finally, the chairman’s project - there was such a great show of work. Always a joy to see and find out how people got to their final piece.
Christmas Party
This Christmas there was a change to the format due to the playwright being indisposed. Instead of ‘The Panto’ we had a series of small sketches, poems, stories and songs which was warmly received along with the usual Quiz, Patchwork picture and a new challenge that went down a treat. Remember the reindeers, and of course not forgetting the lovely feast that you all helped to provide.
Coach trip
The changeover from winter to summer is marked by the coach trip. A natural break in the programme. The coach was not filled this year but those of us who went had a very enjoyable day and we were blessed with good weather...again. There is always plenty to do and new exhibitions to see along with the old favourites.
Summer programme
There were 22 summer sessions this year. We tried to make sure that more were local but we still like to include the sea, water and even a swimming pool! The average numbers for the summer was about 8-9. The first session at Gazes, was a bit on the cool side but in fact, what kept people away this year was the extreme heat! One particular session, at Angela’s, my parked car read a temperature of 48* at 3.30 and only went down to 36* as I drove along!
We do encourage car sharing on the further afield trips which allows more people to be able to attend.
Exhibitions
We still have our rolling exhibition at the Wetland Centre which is running well. We are quite the envy of some having this facility. So far we have sold 6 pictures there. It is a free exhibition space and just 15% commission for each picture sold.
We had an exhibition at The Bank in Eye over Christmas where we sold 6 pictures. We will be having another one this coming year.
There were two exhibitions at The Swan in Harleston. Although not a great success, we did sell two pictures. Sadly there was not a great deal of foot fall.
We have now stopped exhibiting at The Eye Surgery. This is by mutual agreement. Both parties feeling that it had reached the end of its course.
Thanks
I would like to thank ALL the committee members who work incredibly hard behind the scenes to make this club the success that it is. Organising the summer and winter programmes, the exhibitions, the web page, the Christmas party, the treasurer, the secretary and membership secretary, publicity and even for the tea and coffee provided each week. A big thank you to Jackie, who is stepping down from membership secretary after 10 years.
Thank you all for setting up fabulous still life and figure drawing scenes and for your input with suggestions and ideas that we try to incorporate into the programme. Also with help setting up, tidying away and all the little extras that do get noticed and are appreciated.
And finally thank you for all managing to put up with a year of me.....one down two to go!
Cheers
Sally P