A Moment in Time

Thornbury Art Club, or Thornbury Artists as they called themselves then, came into being in 1965 at the newly formed Community Association at The Chantry. They had first met as a group at an art class held above the old cinema in the High Street and wanted a shared venue where they could paint together. It wasn't long before a dilapidated farm building in the Chantry grounds came to their attention. It comprised 'two walls, a roof and a couple of pillars in the front'. Permission was obtained to convert it into a usable space suitable for aspiring artists. The pioneering spirit and hard graft of three men in particular - Leon Blunos, Dave Hague and Jack Puddifoot - did just that and The Studio was created. The Club had a home! This was the nucleus of the Club, where it allreally started. It is wonderful that two of the original three, whose energy and zeal transformed that cow shed, are still members today. It is a lovely coincidence that Leon and Jack have both submitted self portraits for this anniversary project. We have a visual record of two founder members!

I wasn't there at the beginning, but I remember The Studio, ours to wander in and out of as we pleased. We each had a key. Some of us were 'potters'. There were three wheels and a kiln, but I cannot recall many firing successes! At the end of each painting session palette knives would be wiped clean on the central square pillar, the daubs of paint transforming it into our own 'Jackson Pollock'! I recall life painting sessions in the Barn Hall, and a particular batik workshop when we took over the car park (no tarmac in those days!) and strung up lines of dripping cotton in various bright dyes. One year we took part in the Carnival, when game members followed and painted a moving 'canvas' in the Parade, creating a masterpiece en route. Another year, I remember setting up our easels for 'plein air' painting in Castle Street during the Mop Fair. Major exhibitions took place during the Arts Festival, with paintings hung in the Coach Hall (on the same screens we use today!), and trestle tables set up outside for pottery, sculpture and other crafts. There were times when we collaborated with the Writer's Circle, exploring the art of illustration, an altogether different - and challenging - form of painting! Other memories that filter through are memories of summer painting, still continued today, and of individuals, like Dennis Vivian who created a whole body of work documenting the building of the Second Severn Crossing in a series of watercolour paintings.

The Club celebrated its `coming of age', its eighteenth year, in 1983 with an exhibition at the prestigious Pat Wells Gallery at Lower Morton. We felt rather grand, definitely in a different league, with glossy catalogues and publicity in aristocratic monthly magazines! By our 25th anniversary, numbers had grown and we had moved to the Bakery Annexe. This time the occasion was marked by a special dinner organised at St Mary's Hall, complete with large birthday cake. Now we are double that age, celebrating our Golden Jubilee! That original group energy is alive and well.

The Club began with likeminded people who wanted to paint together, sharing the experience and enjoyment away from home distractions, and in a friendly atmosphere. This continues today in the four Studio groups who all have their own distinctive character.

Whilst membership numbers have grown and Club Nights now take place in the Cossham Hall, the Studio groups still have that same easy interaction, creativity and desire to paint that started the Club in the first place. Our larger numbers, however, have meant that we have been able to invite accredited artists to give talks, instruct and demonstrate their particular techniques. - It is not surprising that our exhibitions and this Jubilee Book show such a fascinating variety of media, style and subject matter. We are taking new ideas away with us every month!

This is a beautiful collection of work. We should be very proud! So many members have submitted their favourite pieces, or paintings that have special meaning. What better way to celebrate our Golden Jubilee - and say: "This is us! This is where we are now!"

May our joy in painting never diminish; let's just keep getting better!

Congratulations everybody!

Chairman