Menston Arts Club
Main Contact: Tracey Krupianka
Biography
The founder members met 52 years ago in the Yorkshire village of Menston on the edge of Ilkley moor and they decreed that the aim of their new club should be "to encourage expression and appreciation of the visual arts", and that aim had been followed faithfully ever since. Those founder members are Alfred wilkinson, Paul Buckingham, Charlie Marchinton and Ann Carr, were led by Richard Boyer, David Hockney's tutor, mentor and friend. Ann Carr is still an active member producing fine work that she regularly exhibits. Membership has to be limited to 80 for fire safety, which results in a persistent waiting list for vacancies. The original annual subscription of £1-10-00 (£1.50 in new money) has had to be increased over the years to £45. Club members meet on most Monday evenings throughout the year at the Kirklands community centre in Menston village. The syllabus for the meetings is diverse with lectures on artistry and collections' demonstrations of techniques ranging from painting and life drawing to origami and workshops and illustrated talks presented by guest speakers or our own members on a wide range of ART subjects. Twice a year a 2 day exhibition of members Work is held in the large hall of the community centre. This has become a social event in the Menston community calendar. Members are encouraged to submit 3 framed works for hanging and can also exhibit a portfolio of up 15 unframed but mounted pieces with all of the work being for sale. There is also a craft stall exhibiting and selling members' hand made Work and the whole event is supported by a cafe offering delicious refreshments. In recent years a group of members have joined together for a painting weekend at Cober Hill on the Yorkshire coast, some members are also active followers of the Urban Sketchers group. Recently the club entered a nationwide competition organised be the SAA involving sharing in the use of a "lay flat" sketch pad, the clubs Work was judged highly recommended and the pictures subsequently used in a limited edition calendar which was almost completely sold out at the November exhibition. The last copy of that calendar was displayed at the clubs exhibition in may 2016 which was a special event with champagne and nibbles to celebrate the clubs 50th anniversary with a preview evening opened by local celebrity TV presenter Charlotte Leeming. The calendar is now published each year by popular demand, material for which is to be found on the gallery of the clubs website. This calendar is send to places far afield such as Australia, Canada, Turkey and Europe. Individual members have entered national competitions with notable successes which are celebrated by the club regularly.