Page 64 - Phonebox Magazine March 2016

Weston Underwood Art Group Exhibition
10 Years On – 30 March to 28 April
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, the Weston Underwood Art Group is holding an exhibition at the Three Hares Gallery in Olney. “10 Years On” includes a wide range
of work by 15 local artists using varied media and in their own individual styles.
The Art Group was formed by its tutor Len Hollman, a potter and retired art teacher from Stoke Goldington. Originally an acrylic painting course with seven members, the group has expanded in numbers and has evolved to enable exploration of a variety of media. This exhibition, the group’s fth, includes work in watercolour, pastel, pen & ink, oil and print, as well as acrylic paintings.
Len describes his approach: “From the beginning, rather than teaching by example or group instruction, my emphasis has been placed on regularly appraising and discussing each member’s developing work on a one-to-one basis. Inspiration has been sought through looking critically at the work of artists and craftspeople from all periods and cultures.”
Three of the original group members talked to us about their experiences. Debbie Smith said: “Over the past few years my focus has moved from painting to linocut printing. Len has always encouraged us
to work from our own photographs; the wonderfully absorbing process of printmaking has, in turn, subtly enhanced my appreciation of photographic work.” Jackie Atkinson explained: “For most of my life I believed that I couldn’t draw or paint. Since joining the group, I‘ve realised that I had just never learned how to. With Len’s help and support, I’ve gradually improved my skills and con dence, and developed my own style of artwork. Now I especially love to draw birds using pen & ink.
Helen Williams said: “What started as an acrylic art class, turned into a journey through classical art, impressionism, on to abstract art and postmodernism, with many other movements in between.” She added: “Len is an inspirational teacher, tweaking our curiosities whilst, at the same time, gently appraising and guiding us to develop and progress our own styles of working.”
The Exhibition runs from 30 March to 28 April at Three Hares Gallery in the Cowper & Newton Museum, Market Place, Olney, MK46 4AJ, open Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am to 4.30pm. Admission to the exhibition is free, access is via stairs. For more details see:
website: cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk facebook: facebookcom/1westonunderwoodartgroup
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64 Phonebox Magazine | March 2016