A.G.M. 2018 VIRGINIA WATER ART SOCIETY

• COMMITTEE 2018
• PRESIDENT Marie Cook
• CHAIRMAN Jean McDonnell
• TREASURER Margaret Baldock
• PROGRAMME Pam Hawins
• SECRETARY  Marcia De Meriveles
• MEMBERSHIP Gabi Doering
• WORKSHOPS Doug Co
• OUTINGS Colin Deal 
• HOSPITALITY Patricia Lumly
• others Anne Williams, Kate Bull         

Virginia Water Art Society

Annual General Meeting

The Virginia Water Library Virginia Water, Surrey

December 3^rd, 2018

Chairman’s Report

After a slow start having had a two-year break from the Chairmanship I am back up and running. We have struggled this year with too many jobs and not enough bodies and I would like to thank those on the committee who undertook more than one job a time, without who’s help it would have been a very difficult year.

We have had offers of help for next year so the only outstanding issues are that of Programme  Secretary whose job it is to book the demonstrators.  Thanks to Kate for booking the last two years, and thanks to Pam for stepping in to book 2020 but we will need to look for someone next year as the bookings have to be done a year in advance.  It does not need to be an onerous task, we use an agency who can book Artists for us and supply details of these and we can book directly with an Artist, researching what they do and looking at Artists work can be enjoyable. Meeting and looking after the Artist when they arrive can also be interesting.

We could also do with some help with the advertising, so if anyone feels they would like to help they would be very welcome to join us. We do take every opportunity to promote the Society and I will continue to attend any invitations we receive to local events that would prove useful in promoting us.

Marcia has volunteered to take over the minutes of the meetings which will be another job share solved and will greatly help the committee.

Workshops

Our Workshops this year have been amazing and have all been fully booked. Many thanks to Doug for all his efforts. As this year’s workshops have been so popular, we decided to book 5 next year so happy painting.

Outings

We did manage a trip to the Mall galleries thanks to Pam, we always enjoy the SWA.  As Pam is now back on Programme  Colin has agreed to organize some coach outings watch this space.

Membership

Another shared job for some time has been the membership secretary and thankfully Gabi has come forward to fill this position. Members are down to only 50 members; however, more are attending the Wednesday evenings and workshops which is good news.  On our Wednesday evenings we see about 30 -35 members attending which is very encouraging.  We will be working on increasing the membership and encouraging visitors. It has been mentioned that we are a very friendly group which is very nice to hear.

Exhibitions

The Two Exhibitions were very good with the weather being kind to us, both however were down on our usual sales selling 22 paintings in the May and 13 in the August 35 in all which is down by about 30 % the Autum  one in particular  seeing much less visitors than we have had in a long time, possible because it was a bank holiday together with Magna Carta and Englefield Green Fare so we have decide to avoid the bank holidays in future and next year’s exhibitions will be 1^st June 2019 and 7^th Sept  2019 weather permitting as usual. Many Thanks to Alfred Lane who helped my husband John get the stands and equipment and return them at the end of the day to the community centre.  Also, thanks to Doug for the use of the Gazebo yet again this year,  I would like to thank Colin who help several of our members set up their stands at the exhibition which was much appreciated. 

Many thanks to Patricia for the warm welcome she gives on Wednesday evenings and for hosting the committee meetings.  Thanks to Marie and Pam for the support they have given me as Chairman and to Anne Williams for doing the minutes in the past.  Special thanks to Margaret for being such a constant steady hand on the till she has continued being Treasurer since I first took the Chair over 6 years ago and has agreed to continue again this year.

And lastly my thanks go to my husband John who not only supports us by operating the camera for us at the Wednesday demo’s but also for All the work he does on Exhibition days, getting all the stands out and returned for the exhibitions, putting up road signs on the day and generally doing a lot of the physical tasks without which we would all struggle.

Virginia Water A.G.M. 8th December 2014

Virginia Water Art Society A.G.M. 

Shan Turner Chairman 2014

Left to right Doug Coe Anne Williams Secretary

 Jean McDonnell Vice Chair. Shan Turner Chairman Marie Cook President

 left to right Patricia Lumley   Barbra Isaacs Membership Secretary

Left to right Alan Marr Pam Hawkins Programme Secretary

Left to right Rosa Sears Outings Secretary Margaret Baldock Treasurer

Doug Coe

Left to right Patricia Lumley, Barbara Isaacs, Doug Coe, Anne Williams 

Left to right Marie Cook, Alan Marr, Pam Hawkins, Rosa Sears, Margaret Baldock

 Shan Turner presenting the Pat Hare Award to Julia Aspin whose painting of Blueberries won the Vote from the Mayor of Runnymede Peter Waddell' s  Best in Show Julia will haver her name engraved on the award

Shan Turner Presenting the Rose Bowl award to Bara Aylwin whose painting Enchanted wood was one of two paintings to receive 9 votes from the Public vote at the Winter Exhibition 2014

Shan Turner Presenting the Rose Bowl to Jules Peck whose painting Poppies also received 9 votes from the public vote at the Winter Exhibition 2014 

Julia and Bara will share the Rose Bowl annual award 6 months each for the highest public votes 

Shan Turner (retiring) Chairman Reported on
the Years events and thanked all those who helped with the Societies business and was presented with an Orchid in appreciation of her work throughout the year

Jean McDonnell was elected Chairman and Pam Hawkins Vice Chairman also John McDonnell was thanked for all the work he does at the exhibitions and for operating the camera at the monthly meetings and Jean received on his behalf a bottle by way of thanks. 

Two new Committee Members were voted in Colin Deal and Colin Aylott 

After the Business of the Society, afternoon tea and nibbles were well received

The Committee for 2015 

President:  Marie Cook

Chairman: Jean McDonnell
(also Web site & Advertising)
(also Newsletter)

Vice Chairman: Pam Hawkins
(also Programme Secretary)
(also Workshops)

Treasurer: Margaret Baldock

Secretary: Anne Williams

Membership Secretary: Barbara Isaacs

Outings: Rosa Sears

Other Committee Members:

Patricia Lumley
Douglas Coe
Alan Marr
Colin Deal
Colin Aylott

Virginia Water Art Society AGM 2013

Annual General Meeting

9th December 2013

The Church Hall

Beechmont Avenue

Virginia Water

Surrey

Agenda

1.     Apologies for absence

There were 21 members present including 8 committee members and apologies had been received from Marie Cook and Rosa Sears.

2.     Minutes of the last AGM

The minutes from 2012 had been distributed with newsletter Nov 2013. They were accepted by the meeting.

3.     Matters arising from the minutes

There were no matters arising.

4.     Chairman’s Report 2013 was given by Jean McDonnell

“Winter Exhibition 2013

“We had a really good show displaying nearly 140 paintings by 27 Artists and 4 crafts people. Despite having to change the date by one week we managed to inform most of our visitors and although the Sunday was quiet from lunchtime onward Saturday was busy.We sold 8 paintings and the crafts did well with a total sales of approx. £900. Not quite back to the good old days but certainly an improvement on last year.The Deputy Mayor’s favourite painting was a drawing of a Cyclamen by Wendy Trinder and Wendy has received the Pat Hare award. The public voted John Fordham’s painting ‘Calm’ their favourite and so John received the Rose Bowl.

Summer Exhibition 2013

The Summer Exhibition was amazingly successful with 37 paintings sold which in today’s climate really was very good.  We know it’s not all about the selling but it’s very nice when you d.o Margaret no doubt will give us the figures shortly and we should all be very proud of ourselves. And a big thank you to all those who helped to organise it.

Demonstrations

We have had a wonderful collection of demonstrations this year and they have been entertaining informative and inspiring and included our favourite locals like Sera Knight and Freda Anderson to more unusual Artists like Sharon Hurst with her silk painting(watch out for her workshop in the New Year) We have Pam to thank for sourcing these Artists, having been Programme Secretary for some years Pam has a great deal of knowledge of the demonstrators and has asked if next year she could have some help, she is just starting 2015 and if you feel you could give some assistance please come and talk to us.

The addition of the new camera has added to the enjoyment of the demonstrations and after a few teething problems we have mastered the technical side of it.  John my husband and Doug have been the ones to operate the camera so far but we would like more people to get involved.

Workshops

We had three workshops this year Sera Knight (lovely Artist) Jo Louca, really well organised and generous with her materials and Kim Page, a firm favourite. They were well attended but on occasions we have not covered our costs so a special effort to participate must be made next year and we will have to collect the fees in advance.

Painting together days

Our painting days are going very well enjoyed by about 12 of us who paint usually with some light classical music in the background. It would be nice to see one or two more join us just to ensure we can continue to cover our cost.

Winter Exhibition 2012

Although the Painting sales were disappointing we had quite a good turnout of visitors who gave us some wonderful comments and feedback regarding the work.The crafts did well  with a total of £600 in sales but unfortunately we did not break even and a discussion took place at the last AGM as to whether we should have 2 summer exhibitions or only a one day winter exhibition but in the end it was decided we should not measure success by sales especially in the present climate, and a vote was taken to continue in the present way.

Membership

Our membership has continued to be steady with the loss of one or two older members moving away and several new members joining us throughout the year. The sad closure of Sunningdale Art Society prompted us to put out invitations for them to come and visit us and I’m glad to say that we are already welcoming some as new members. Shan has done a sterling job as Membership Secretary encouraging new members and keeping us all up to date with our subs

Thank you Shan

Many Thanks To

Margaret for keeping the finances in order

Patricia for door collections raffle and a warm welcome for everyone.

Marie for her support and advice.

Doug our handyman  gazebo lender and camera man

Anne for taking the minutes of the committee meetings

Rodney for the sterling work behind the scene with Newsletters, Printing, Catalogue, Posters, Invites and much more

Rosa for organising the outing

Ron for recording the visitors

Louise for tea & coffee supplies

Anne Harrison for looking after the magazines,

Barbara our latest recruit soon to be put to work

This is the third year I have served as Chairman and can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in office. We are very fortunate to have a good strong committee and it is because of their help that we have been able to do so much. I would also like to say thank you to all the members who took part over the years in the various activities of the Society which help to make it so enjoyable and successful.   I do think it is important for the Society’s continuation that we have both continuity and change in equal measure, so this year I will be stepping down as Chairman but am happy to continue on the committee.”

JM

5.    Treasurer’s Report

Margaret circulated copies of the Financial Report for 2013, went through it and explained each item. Its acceptance was proposed by Rodney and it was accepted by the meeting. Margaret added that it was important that the Society keep researching for the best return on the bond which enables us to pay the main running costs and reduces pressure and anxiety on the membership fees. She added that the use of emails greatly reduced the postage costs and should be encouraged.

She was thanked for all her work and she reminded the meeting that a new Treasurer would be needed by October 2014.

6.    Nominations & Election of the Committee for 2014

Jean resigned as Chairman and she was thanked for her service to the Society. It was proposed by John Fordham and agreed that she remain on the Committee as vice-Chairman. She would continue with the work on Publicity

Shan Turner was proposed and elected as Chairman and all of the present Committee agreed to continue to serve. Barbara Isaacs agreed to take on Subscription/Membership duties and Anne Keen agreed to continue as Honorary Examiner. Alan Carr has offered to join the Committee.

Margaret was thanked for her work.

7.    Subs for the coming year

It was reported that with 71 members in the Society the present subscription of £25.00 p.a. could continue for 1 more year. It would be reviewed at the AGM in 2014. At present potential members are offered a free visit to a demonstration. With the closure of the Sunningdale Art Society a dialogue had been opened with them by the Chairman and some interest has been shown by their members seeking a new society. They had also visited the exhibition.

8.    A.O.B.

The Chairman reminded the meeting that the next Society meeting would be on January 8^th and comprise a show and talk event.

A new improved tea rota was needed and the Committee agreed to deal with it.

Alexandra Edge proposed a vote of thanks to the Committee and the meeting unanimously agreed.

The meeting closed at 3.00 p.m. and was followed by tea and Christmas fare for which the members were thanked.

Jean was presented with some flowers and thanked for her work as Chairman 

and accepted a bottle of whiskey for her husband John McDonnell and thanks for his work with the camera.  

PROGRAMME 2014 -2015

VIRGINIA  WATER ART SOCIETY   PROGRAMME 2014

Wed 8th Jan  
Show & Tell    Audience participation  

Wed  5^th Feb
Roger Dellar   Urban scene in oil 

Wed  5th Mar   
Lynda Appleby Reflections in Acrylic
        

Wed  2nd Apr 
Kim Page  Still Life in watercolour 
               

 SAT  12^th Apr 
 Sharon Hurst    Silk Painting 
 WORKSHOP 10am–4pm Community Hall VW

Wed  7th^st
May Nick Ashton  Seascapes in oils

Wed  4^th Jun  
Jonathan Newey  Tigers Head in acrylics

 SAT 7^th June    SUMMER EXHIBITION 
                         OPEN AIR VIRGINIA WATER

Thur 26^th June 
COACH TRIP to the MALL GALLERIES
 Society of Women Artists Private Viewing

Wed  2nd July  
Richard Turner Pastel Painting Processes            

Wed  6^th Aug   
Annabelle Elford Creative composition

Wed  3rd Sept 
Edwin Crips TBA

Wed  1st Oct
Salliann Putman Critique of members work

SAT 11^th Oct
Freda Anderson  Portrait
WORKSHOP 10am-4pm church hall VW

Wed 5^th  Nov   
Chris Forsey  Landscape in Acrylics
       

SAT  29th Nov  WINTER EXHIBITION
                         The Community Centre

SUN   30^th Nov  Trumps Green Virginia Water GU25 4EY

WED JAN 7th 
Sera Knight  subject TBA

Mon  8^th Dec            A.G.M. Party Church Hall Beechmont Ave 2pm to 4 pm

Monthly meetings take place in the Community Centre Trumps Green Virginia Water GU25 4EY every first Wednesday in the Month from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm Visitors are welcome for further information www.virginiawater.org.uk/artsociety  or

 phone Jean McDonnell on 01784 741599

Painting days at the Church Hall next door to the Community Hall once a month the third Monday of the Month from 12 pm to 3 pm Starting Feb £2 per session contact Jean McDonnell

Virginia Water Art Society A.G.M. 7th December 2011

Virginia Water Art Society AGM was held at the Community Centre Beechmont Avenue Virginia Water on 7th December 2011 all members were re-elected with the exception of Julie who is taking one year out.

John Fordham's Painting Farm Cottage above which won the public vote at the Winter Exhibition and below John Fordham being presented with the fruit bowl in recognition by Chairman Jean McDonnell

Marie Cook below being presented with the Pat Hare Award for her painting The Wave pictured below The Mayor of Runnymede chose Marie's painting as his personal favourite