Welcome to Downland Art Society

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Downland Art Society

 

Our aim of encouraging a love of art and providing an opportunity for everyone to recognise and develop their individual talents has been an unbroken theme since we first formed in 1944. Find out more about our history.

Now more than 70 years later, we are still a forward looking and friendly art society open to both amateurs and professionals. Saturday meetings take place at our base in Walberton and feature a varied programme of demonstrations, presentations and critiques from respected local artists. Some members start early by meeting up in the pub at lunchtime before the meeting. Visitors are very welcome to come along and see what we do. Our workshops are excellent value and themes generally follow on from the demo. They are a good opportunity to try new techniques and to get to know people in an informal setting. Many people like to take advantage of the networking opportunities for sharing ideas and information, organising sketching groups and visiting exhibitions. If showing your work is important to you then Downland exhibits twice a year in one of the best locations in the area, the Norfolk Centre by Arundel Castle.

With well-known local artist and teacher, Marcus Finch as our President, Alison Woodward, a Senior Lecturer at Chichester University as Chairman and an enthusiastic Patron in Diana Levantine, Chairman of the Sussex Snowdrop Trust, not to mention an energetic new committee, Downland Art Society is well set up to continue to go forward as it has done since 1944 as a leading resource for art in the area.

Next events

Polly Dutton

Critique with Artist Polly Dutton

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Polly Writes - When I'm not sketching or painting, I'm either walking with my dogs or working in my garden.  My work is so often inspired by nature so I'm constantly looking and taking in the sense of a place.

This is a great opportunity to see how an experienced artist views our works and to learn something about the art process from another's point of view. They are always sensitive to the fragility of the artists creative nature and it is an interesting and informative experience for all who attend. Do bring along something you have done, Entries must be Framed or mounted, and your work will be seen and appreciated by all. There are three categories at this Critique, the Contemporary Painting Award, the Drawing Award and The Dorothy Tubb Award (for a traditionally painted oil painting).

Demo with Rob Corfield

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Rob Corfield is a Chichester based painter working in acrylics and oils. His paintings are large, bold and colourful and inspired by the sea and countryside. The subjects often reflect his love of sailing, cycling and being outdoors.

Julie Burnette-Kirk

Demo Landscape in Pastels with Julie Burnette-Kirk

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A local Artist Julie is using pastels to create hypnotic landscapes.