Christmas gifts galore as art club celebrates its 70th

Published Wednesday, 15th November 2017

THERE’S an opportunity to find some unique and unusual Christmas presents and to celebrate a Hartlepool institution when a special exhibition opens in the town this weekend.

Hartlepool Art Club's seventieth annual exhibition opens in Hartlepool Art Gallery in Church Square on Saturday 18 November.

On show will be a range of original artwork by current members – featuring a variety of techniques and subject matter – for sale at prices to suit all pockets.

In nods to the club’s past and its future there will also be displays of past members’ work which is now in the Hartlepool Museum and Art Gallery permanent art collection and work by the club’s current junior ‘Dabble In Art’ group.

The Sunlit Path by Hartlepool Art Club Member Garry Courtnell

The Sunlit Path by Hartlepool Art Club Member Garry Courtnell

One of the largest art clubs in the north, Hartlepool Art Club held its first annual exhibition in the Gray Art Gallery and Museum in 1947, although the roots of a formal art group in the town go back even earlier to 1907 with the formation of the Hartlepools Student Art Club.

In 1953 the eminent Seaton Carew-born artist Frank H Mason became club president and in the mid 1950s the club regularly toured various pubs and hotels with painting displays.

From modest beginnings the club has continued to prosper and the annual exhibition continued to be held at the Gray Art Gallery until that was replaced by Hartlepool Art Gallery from 1996 onwards.

The club currently has almost 100 adult members, ranging from enthusiastic beginners to experienced painters, while the ‘Dabble In Art’ group has 15 members from junior to secondary school age.

John Mennear, Hartlepool Art Club Chairman, said: “The fact that the club has notched up 70 years is testament to the opportunities it provides for people to explore and develop their own creativity and to the quality of artists in the town.

“We are really pleased that, thanks to the help of the Art Gallery, in this year’s exhibition we are also able to look back at examples of some of our past achievements. We are also very proud to be showcasing work by the young members of ‘Dabble In Art’, who are our future.”

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, Leader of Hartlepool Council, said: “Many congratulations to Hartlepool Art Club on reaching this milestone.

“For 70 years it has played an important part in the town’s cultural life and its exhibitions are always a pleasure to view. Long may that continue!”

The exhibition runs until Saturday 13 January. The art gallery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am to 5pm, except for bank holidays, and entry is free.

Hartlepool Art Club meets every second Wednesday of the month in the art gallery and new members and visitors are always welcome. For details call the art gallery on (01429) 869706.