The Kirdford Art Group celebrates its 40th anniversary with its annual art show on Saturday November 1 and Sunday November 2 at Kirdford Village Hall.
Spokeswoman Janet Austin said: "This year is the 40th year since the group was founded by a group of enthusiastic artists living the village of Kirdford. They held their first exhibition the following year when 20 members hung pictures, and of the 10
0 pictures exhibited, 16 were sold. This year there are 65 members and 250 pictures will be shown by 35 of the members."
By 1972, it was decided to put the group on a more formal footing, and the first meeting was attended by 10 people who drew up a constitution.
It was decided that an annual exhibition should be held in November, and any surplus would be given to charity. The group also felt that they would like to have some art demonstrations and sketching days.
But things haven't always run smoothly.
"Twenty five years ago, the group went through a bad patch and could have closed. The membership was ageing, and of the original ten members at the inaugural meeting three had died and four moved away.
"Luckily in 1983, Tony Sanders who moved into the village, was eligible for membership; and Patsy Moore, then the landlady of The Foresters, turned up to find out about the group and was promptly made secretary - much to her horror!
"Today, Tony Sanders is the secretary, and Patsy Moore, who for some 12 years was chairman, now runs a very successful monthly art workshop in Wisborough Green. Both are now members of The Association of Sussex Artists, and both are exhibiting in this year's Kirdford exhibition."
Among his exhibits, Tony Sanders will be showing a carefully-researched train picture of the locomotive Bitterne. It is A4 Pacific which is in the same class as Mallard which holds the fastest steam engine record. Patsy Moore has painted two large watercolours, Walk In The Bluebell Woods and Sparkling Water, Grand Canal, as well an oil on canvas, Riding Out, Early Morning.
Janet added: "The membership fee to join in 1972 was 50 pence. This year it was £7, and membership has been extended well beyond the village. There are three subsidised tutored days, those attending making only a small contribution towards them. Venues are spread around the district. This year's tutored outings were to Easebourne Priory, Abinger Hammer and Coultershaw Beam Pump. Places visited for non tutored days were Plaistow, Shoreham Airport, Bramber, Thakeham and Arundel .
"So what was started 40 years ago, continues in much the same format today. It is a tribute to those who started it that it survives as a small friendly group with a local feel. One of the first donations , in 1972, was given to the Church Tower Appeal. Appropriately one the pictures, at least, to be exhibited shows the same Church Tower.
"This year, as it has been for the past few years, the chosen charity, will be The Sussex Snowdrop Trust, a charity benefiting sick children."
The Kirdford Art Show will be open to the general public from 10am to 5pm on Saturday November 1 and 10am to 3.30pm on Sunday November 2.
There is free entry.
