ORWELL ART CLUB
On 14 June 1947, a group of artists, including the Dutch artist, Cor Visser founded the Rangers Art Club, as it was then known. For an annual subscription of 5/- (25p), the founder members would meet regularly and during the 1950s in the summer months, the Rangers went on 'plein air' painting trips on Saturday afternoons to villages around Ipswich including their favourite venues Kersey, Ufford, Tuddenham St Martin, Pin Mill, and the Woodbridge Tide Mill. Its members then included 'Jack' John Warren Fenton, 'Archie' Archibald Withycombe Freeman, Albert Ribbans and John William Good. Typically, the group would start painting at about 2.30pm, adjourn in mid-afternoon for a tea break and viewing of the work in progress, and return home by 5 or 6pm. Occasionally a small exhibition would be held in a member’s home, such as Archie Freeman’s house in Lattice Avenue, Ipswich. In 1967, the club was renamed The Orwell Art Club and welcomes leisure painters of all ages and ability and continues the tradition of welcoming all, whether beginner or professional. The membership in 2020 was around 120 and included complete novices as well as people who are tutors in adult education and operates on a non-selective basis. Painting and sketching locally in the summer and workshops covering all media. Monthly evening meetings from September to June with demonstrations and talks. The club also offers the opportunity to display and sell works via the Orwell Art Club Online gallery and their annual exhibition. Other Suffolk artists who were members or exhibited with the Orwell Art Club include Stephen Abbott; Paul Baxter; Andrew Dockerill; Robert Allen Forster; Chris Noel Francis; Steve Royce Griffin; Patricia Pearce; Norah Phillips; Chris Turland and Mike Wootton.
Website: https://www.orwellartclub.co.uk
2020 Members need further information
Anna Baldwin
Ildiko Di Duca
Dorothy Jacobs
Ray Martin
Angela Snook
Christine Thompson
Susan Thorn
Sue Wozniak