AMATEURS’ ART DISPLAY

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32458, 19 November 1970, Page 6

AMATEURS’ ART DISPLAY

More than 200 paintings are being exhibited in the Northlands shopping centre this week by members of the St Albans - Riccarton - Papanui Art Group. This is the third annual exhibition given by the amateur art group. Most of the painting was done at weekly meetings of members held in the St Albans Baths clubroom, and the R.S.A. halls at Riccarton and Papanui. Mrs P. C. Webley, of St Albans, one of the first members of the group, said that membership had risen from 40 last year to 80 this year and included four men. The idea had originally come from Mrs B. Collins, a New Brighton housewife who taught painting privately. Three years ago, when there were only 12 members, Mrs Collins had begun by giving informal instruction in the use of colour and simple painting techniques. Now, with the rise in membership, she gives six classes a week including an evening class for the male members who work during the day. PAINTING TRIPS Mrs Webley said the group had expanded many of its activities this year. As well as meetings and classes, members had organised several painting trips to parts of the South Island including Han-

Mrs Anke Brunn, aged 27, is an example of the politically important change in generations in the Federal Republic of Germany. The youngest member of the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia has completed academic studies, participated in school body administration and student parliaments and is a member of the Social Democratic Party. Her main fields of interest are administration reforms, city planning, education, and family and women’s affairs.

mer Springs, Arthur's Pass and Diamond Harbour where they spent a day or two painting the local scenery. “At Hanmer one of our members painted the new motels there and made a sale immediately to the motel owner,” Mrs Webley said. Proceeds from the sale of paintings were used to buy more painting materials. Members were encouraged to develop their own style and to experiment with various mediums, although most of them had settled for oils. “The main thing about the group is that it has encouraged many women to paintmany of whom would not have attempted it otherwise,” Mrs Webley said. Many of the paintings exhibited show landscape scenes rural dwellings,

seasonal landscapes and some portraits. Also exhibited are more than 30 miniature paintings. DEVELOPMENT Although some of the paintings do have the amateur touch, many of them, especially from the original group, members show good development in technique. The inclusion of some abStract paintings this year also

shows a new originality from these artists. The photographs show “Peaceful Setting,” a winter rural scene by Mr E. Breugal (his second painting since joining the group), and “Ambition,” an abstract, textured and painted in shades of red, purple, cream and green, by Mrs J. Royal, who has been with the group 12 months.