History of Chislehurst Artists

 

In July 1988 three residents of Chislehurst decided to start an group for artists in the area.

 

They planned to hold an exhibition outside the Pop-In-Parlour (now Active Age Centre) in Chislehurst and asked several of their friends, who belonged to an adult education evening class, to also exhibit. Another exhibition took place in October 1988 (photo left). As a result it was realised that their were many artists in Chislehurst interested in starting a group and in January 1989 the first meeting of Chislehurst Artists took place.

 

There are now 50 members who meet and exhibit regularly.

 

On the left are two of the founder members , Eve Melmore and Ken Potter as they were in 1988

(Please excuse the quality of the old photographs)

General Information about the Group

 

Chislehurst Artists meets once a month throughout the year and has a lively and mixed programme of events. These take place in the evening.

 

During the year we have at least six demonstrations which cover different mediums, subjects and techniques. Some of the demonstrators are also contributors to The Artist or Leisure Painter publications. There are sometimes speakers on the History of Art or Art and Artists.

 

At other times we organise ourselves for practical sessions for life or still-life drawing and painting. We also have social evenings, for example an art-themed Bring and Buy, followed by an art-themed quiz.

 

As well as our meetings, we hold three exhibitions a year, two in Chislehurst and one at our local Garden Nursery at Knockholt. The exhibitions always prove to be highly successful, attracting a great interest from the public.

 

For the past three or four years, Chislehurst Artists has also participated in The Big Draw which, as many of you will know, is an annual national event held in September. This event takes place on Chislehurst Common and is usually a very lively affair and extremely well supported.

 

There will be Life Drawing sessions, with a model, throughout the year. Cost £10 per session.

 

 

Subscription: Currently the subscription to become a member of Chislehurst Artists is £30 a year. This covers the cost for the demonstrators and usually the social evenings, although we do hold raffles from time to time to boost our funds. We do not aim to make money but to be self financing covering our costs for the hire of the hall.