MEMBERS of a dale society which has been encouraging artistic endeavour for decades have much to celebrate.
Not only has Barnard Castle and Teesdale Art Society resumed regular Monday afternoon get-togethers in the wake of Covid-19, the annual exhibition of members’ work coincides with the group’s 70th anniversary.
The society was founded by Douglas Pittuck, a former art teacher at Barnard Castle School and the artist behind the mural which adorns one wall in St Mary’s Parish Hall, in Newgate. The exhibition opened at The Witham last week and continues throughout November.
Society secretary Alan Coustick said that although regular meetings had ceased in March last year, members had continued to work through the pandemic.
“We started meeting via Zoom once a fortnight for a catch-up and to decide on a theme.
“There were about six to eight of us involved with that and then from easter this year we started doing outdoor sketching, where social distancing was easy to organise.”
He added: “We did that through to the end of August and then from the second week in September we returned to the Guide HQ.
“We used September to get back into the routine. Our normal pattern is to have a guest speaker once a month and we had our first since returning in October.”
Mr Coustick said that while the society did have some vulnerable members who were continuing to shield, some new members had joined.
In all, the work of 16 members is on show at The Witham, with some of the paintings available for sale.
Admission to the exhibition is free during opening hours at The Witham.
The art society meets weekly throughout the year. Winter sessions are held at the Guide HQ, in Birch Road, Barnard Castle, while during the summer there is an extensive programme of outdoor sketching, workshops and outings.
Anyone who would like more information can go to www.bcastleart.wordpress. com or email Mr Coustick at bcartsoc@gmail.com.
Mr Coustick said artists of all levels and abilities were welcome along.
