A DALE art group, founded 67 years ago, is going from strength to strength with a burgeoning number of members attending meet ups.
Barnard Castle and Teesdale Art Society was founded in 1952 by renowned local artist and teacher Douglas Pittuck and almost seven decades on is flourishing.
Christine Hartas, chairwoman, said: “When the society first started it met on a monthly basis, but as it grew that became fortnightly and now we meet up on a weekly basis. We have some really talented artists and people like myself who just like to daub some paint about. Anyone who is interested in coming along is more than welcome and they don’t have to worry about materials and equipment as we can provide this.”
The society organises regular tutorials from visiting artists and sets a theme each year culminating in an annual exhibition. This year’s theme is A Personal Sense of Teesdale and members will be displaying their interpretations at The Witham gallery in a month-long display, opening on Thursday February 28.
In addition to the weekly meet ups the society also organises regular bus trips to various locations and there is a trip to the Rheged and Upfront galleries, in Cumbria, on the spring programme of events. The society meets on a weekly basis on Mondays at Barnard Castle Guide Hall on Birch Road between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
Each session is £2 and annual membership of the society is £25, which includes entry into the exhibition. Email bctartsoc@gmail.com
