HALLAM ART GROUP History and Objectives. Hallam Art Group was founded in 1974. Our aims are to provide local artists with mutual help and support and to promote visual art. This is achieved by weekly meetings, regular talks and demonstrations, still life and life drawing and other evenings dedicated to specific activities or media, a DVD viewing evening, sketching outings, occasional workshops and field trips, and holding at least two exhibitions annually. There is no selection process to join. All are welcome, whatever their artistic ability. An interest in art is the only requirement. Full membership is limited to 70, with a number of gold members who are unable to attend regularly, this number bearing witness to our success and enthusiasm. There is no formal tuition, but members are very willing to share their skills if asked. Regular workshops are given for those wishing to develop their painting. A number of members are well established artists who are very willing to share their methods. Current members come from all walks of life. They work in a range of media including oils, acrylics, water colour, pastels, conté crayon, charcoal, print, and mixed media including textiles. Art Exhibitions We hold Spring and Autumn Exhibitions. We hire the Education Centre in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens for our Spring Exhibition where there is space for hanging about 120 paintings. This popular exhibition is open to the public for three days over the May Bank Holiday, coinciding with the first of the Open Art Sheffield weekends, when artists open their studios to the public. Admission is free and the exhibition includes a card and craft stand organised and staffed by Friends of the Botanical Gardens. Refreshments are also available. There is a trophy for the best picture. The Autumn exhibition is held in the Hallam Community Centre Hall where we can display approximately 200 paintings. Visitors are invited to vote for their favourite picture in the show for which the artist receives the Peggy Ibbotson Memorial Trophy. We also sell unframed works and cards at these exhibitions, and refreshments are available. While there is no obligation for artists to exhibit paintings, our exhibitions are “Fund Raisers” both for the Hallam Community and Youth Association (our parent body) and selected local charities, and every encouragement is given to members who wish to participate. There is no “Selection” process. A sales commission of 15% is levied. We also have two small permanent exhibitions, one in the Forge Dam Café and one in The Three Merry Lads public house. Occasionally we hold additional exhibitions, e.g. in the Sheffield branch of John Lewis. Library and Equipment Facilities. The Group has a comprehensive library of books, DVDs and videos which may be hired. We also subscribe to 3 popular art magazines for perusal during working sessions. In the library cupboards there are 2 straight-line mount cutters, an oval mount cutter, a rotary mountboard cutter, a hot laminator and a framing tab gun which may be used during meetings to prepare works for exhibition. We have our own laptop and projector for use by speakers, for viewing the DVDs, and undertaking administrative tasks. Holiday Trips. A short trip to Robin Hood’s Bay is arranged annually for group members and their spouses/ friends. Coffee and Tea Rota. Coffee and tea is a regular feature of our meetings. A charge of 50p is made for a drink and a biscuit. All members are expected to take their turn in the servery.