Society of Marple Artists

THE SOCIETY OF
MARPLE ARTISTS

SMA 40th ANNUAL EXHIBITION
of original Paintings & Drawings
11th & 12th April 2008

Plans for the Society of Marple Artists 40th (Ruby) Exhibition on 11th and 12th April 2008 are well underway. We intend to pull all the stops out for this special exhibition, which will include a display of painting with a “Ruby” or “Red” theme. Our claim to fame is the connection with LS Lowry, who attended two earlier exhibitions in 1973 and 1975. His involvement was two-fold. Lowry attended two exhibitions and in 1973 bought at least one painting by Elizabeth Finn, one of the founder members who ran the Dolfinn Gallery in Marple. (Two of our lucky members have a signed programme to prove it!!). The other involvement was that L.S. Lowry was a good friend of the President of the SMA at that time, Donald Raynor R.B.A, R.I., F.R.S.A. Donald died in 1977 but one of his paintings of Marple Hall still hangs in Marple Library.

The photo above was taken at the 5th Annual Exhibition in 1973, from left to right are : Mrs. N. Smith (Secretary), L.S. Lowry (Hon. M.A), Donald Raynor (President). Later presidents included Albin Trowski, David Hughes and the late Ian Price, an Art Teacher at Stockport College, all excellent artists.

The event will be held, as usual, in the Methodist Church Hall, Church Lane, Marple on Friday 11th April from 10.00am until 9.00pm and on Saturday 12th April from 10.00am until 5.00pm.

Around 400 original new paintings and usually a small number of sculptures by the 120 members will be on display, giving visitors an opportunity to view and buy a wide range of work covering a variety of subjects, styles and media.

Members will be on hand to provide assistance and discuss their work.

Entry to the exhibition is free and refreshments are available.

Elizabeth Finn photographed in 1968 and a vintage 1st Annual Exhibition ticket

A message from Lynn Daley the new chairman of the Society of Marple Artists

Lynn Daley with outgoing Chairman Steve Abbott

I would like to say hello to all the people who log on this site and view this page and thank all the people of Marple and surrounding areas that have supported The Society of Marple Artists over the 40 years of its existence.

I hope as many of you as possible will attend our 40th Exhibition as we have quite a few new artists plus a lot of your favourite artists exhibiting this year.

I became the new Chairman in September 2007 and believe me I have a hard act to follow as Steve Abbott who has now retired has been Chairman on more than one occasion and worked very hard for the society.

Peter Murray has also stepped down this year after 3 years of total commitment.

I would like to say thank you to them both for all their hard work.

I have a photo of the new committee here so our faces will be familiar to you and as you can see we are a happy lot. When you come to the Exhibition please don’t hesitate to come up and ask us for assistance or just for a chat as we are there to make sure you really enjoy your time at our Exhibition.

Don’t forget to put your comments in our visitor’s book and also please use your voting slip to say which was your favourite painting or sculpture in the Exhibition for as you can see from the photo below of Eileen Hirst holding her painting of the Donkeys on the Beach we really do count them up.

Eileen’s painting is now proudly displayed on the walls of The Ring o’ Bells, Church Lane, Marple.

Lynn Daley (Chairman)

Eileen Hurst with her People's favourite "Donkeys", purchased by the Ring o' Bells and on display above the fireplace.