After joining Midtown Makers, I was introduced to a lady artist, who became one of our Artists in 2016, she told me about a group of local artists, who met and painted locally. I arranged to meet a couple of them to see, if they would like to exhibit here in the new rebranded Midtown Makers. I met with Maria Hunter, who was the new Exhibition planner and so that year at Christmas, they became part of our tradition at Christmas, the Winter Art Exhibition. they we added the summer exhibition the next year and the rest is history
Vis Art was founded 54 years ago by Frank Shepherd who taught Art in the Boys’ Secondary School and we’re still going strong.
Barbara & Maria, talking about Viz Art, Ballymena to Local Journalists
Two thirds of our members have more life experience than the club has been running. Indeed, March 11th proved to be our last meeting of the Spring term and and we haven’t been able to meet regularly because of lockdown and Covid 19,
since 23rd March. But, we’ve tried to ensure that everyone is kept informed about what we’re doing and how we are progressing.
We have achieved this through regular group emails, plus we have had an update to our website, giving it a profession look. We added a craft page to our website to show off what other skills members have and have been using, in the absence of their weekly “dose” of painting together. This was all thanks to Barbara our Chairperson and Webmaster.
As well, Maria Hunter, our Exhibition Secretary, who is very aware of the therapeutic value that painting has. Created a website “A Time to Paint” where members could display their work and help encourage our artists to try new things and have a learning experience from other artists.
Of course, we all missed the informal cup of coffee and chat as we viewed and discussed members paintings as they developed on Wednesday mornings. But, look forward to the future, where we can get back to those mornings and seeing our friends and fellow artists.
since 23rd March. But, we’ve tried to ensure that everyone is kept informed about what we’re doing and how we are progressing.
We have achieved this through regular group emails, plus we have had an update to our website, giving it a profession look. We added a craft page to our website to show off what other skills members have and have been using, in the absence of their weekly “dose” of painting together. This was all thanks to Barbara our Chairperson and Webmaster.
As well, Maria Hunter, our Exhibition Secretary, who is very aware of the therapeutic value that painting has. Created a website “A Time to Paint” where members could display their work and help encourage our artists to try new things and have a learning experience from other artists.
Of course, we all missed the informal cup of coffee and chat as we viewed and discussed members paintings as they developed on Wednesday mornings. But, look forward to the future, where we can get back to those mornings and seeing our friends and fellow artists.
During this time, some of our members learned another skill, due to Covid, which was that the problem with some of the older members had never had to use their phones or tablets to send photographs of their work to us so that we could showcase their paintings on the websites. They were presented with a detailed guide which was as success. with the guide they were able to master the technique and were able to send their work electronically.
Even, while in lockdown, we continued our SAA (Society for All Artists) competitions online. These competitions take the form of an Artist publishing a photograph and then members paint that photograph in whatever medium and style they wish.
I’m amazed each time we have this competition how each painting looks like the photograph but is markedly different from all the other artistic interpretations of the subject. What a diverse group we are!
I’m amazed each time we have this competition how each painting looks like the photograph but is markedly different from all the other artistic interpretations of the subject. What a diverse group we are!
Every week since the lifting of the first lockdown, members have been invited to take part in plein air sessions in diverse locations around our beautiful country and seaside villages and in the surrounding Ballymena area.
Many members are unable to do so as they are shielding but we have tried to overcome that by updating the website weekly with photographs of the places we visit and some of the work we produce so that they can get a flavour of what we were up to.
You’ll find these photographs when you open our website www.ballymensvisart.com , under the heading “Painting despite Covid19”
Many members are unable to do so as they are shielding but we have tried to overcome that by updating the website weekly with photographs of the places we visit and some of the work we produce so that they can get a flavour of what we were up to.
You’ll find these photographs when you open our website www.ballymensvisart.com , under the heading “Painting despite Covid19”
|
|
We were able to return to the Golf Club for just three weeks during late September and early October. Numbers were limited to 15 and all the necessary safety procedures were in place.
In that time, we were able to hold our AGM and have our usual Wednesday morning classes tutored by Sorrel Wills.
Sadly, Covid regulations interrupted us again after 14th October.
In that time, we were able to hold our AGM and have our usual Wednesday morning classes tutored by Sorrel Wills.
Sadly, Covid regulations interrupted us again after 14th October.
Behind the scenes, we have been working with Jim at Midtown Makers, who has been most supportive of VisArt over the last three years, ensuring that we are able to set up a display of some of the work started and completed during this time of Covid 19 lockdowns and disruptions.
The exhibition you see here is the result of that collaboration till the end of January 2021.
We look forward to Spring when, hopefully we’ll be able to exhibit our plein air work from Gracehill to Carnlough and all our 2020 lockdown work. It will be a special time to enjoy and celebrate each other’s talents – and hopefully see the end of Covid!
The exhibition you see here is the result of that collaboration till the end of January 2021.
We look forward to Spring when, hopefully we’ll be able to exhibit our plein air work from Gracehill to Carnlough and all our 2020 lockdown work. It will be a special time to enjoy and celebrate each other’s talents – and hopefully see the end of Covid!
We meet each Wednesday at Ballymena Golf club, Raceview Road, from 10.00 until 12.30, details are on the website or Email Barbara on ballymenavisart@gmail.com.
Naturally, at this unusual time we really miss each-other’s company and the chat and camaraderie we enjoy over a breaktime brew and biscuit as well as the excellent advice we get from out tutors, Margaret Fleck PSI. dip USWA and Sorrel Wills dip USWA.
However, with vaccines on the horizon we live in the hope that the good days will return and Vis Art will celebrate many more Exhibitions, Demonstrations and Anniversaries.
A Time to Paint website https://atimetopaint.weebly.com/
Ballymena Vis Art website https://www.ballymenavisart.com/
Naturally, at this unusual time we really miss each-other’s company and the chat and camaraderie we enjoy over a breaktime brew and biscuit as well as the excellent advice we get from out tutors, Margaret Fleck PSI. dip USWA and Sorrel Wills dip USWA.
However, with vaccines on the horizon we live in the hope that the good days will return and Vis Art will celebrate many more Exhibitions, Demonstrations and Anniversaries.
A Time to Paint website https://atimetopaint.weebly.com/
Ballymena Vis Art website https://www.ballymenavisart.com/