Lochaber Art Club has been in existence
for over 20 years and from its small beginnings has now grown to
a membership of 102. It is run by a Committee which is elected
each year in April at the AGM. It is non-profit making and all
activities are funded purely from subscriptions and commission
from the sale of works of art at its Annual Exhibition. The Highland
Council will usually also give support by awarding a grant to help
towards the Club's programme. There is a small annual subscription
to pay on becoming a Member, currently £12 per annum and
membership is open to anyone living in the Lochaber area of the
West Highlands, who is either an artist or just interested in the
visual arts and wishes to support the Club in its many and varied
activities. The Club welcomes artists of all abilities, amateur
and professional, from beginners and students to OAPs.
The Committee organises small workshops, demonstrations
and illustrated talks by many professional and well-established
Artists from Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom, which
usually take place during the quieter months of autumn and spring.
There are also the occasional trips to interesting exhibitions
and galleries or museums, etc. These activities are open to any
Member on a first come first serve basis and are usually very well
attended. There is a charge to attend a workshop but they are well
subsidized by the Club. All of the talks are open to non-members,
at a nominal charge, and occasionally some of the workshops, if
they are not already fully booked by Members.
There is an arrangement with the Belford Hospital
in Fort William for the Lochaber Art Club to invite its members
to provide paintings to brighten up the walls in the entrance hall.
These are always hugely appreciated by all and bring great joy
and delight to many patients and visitors alike. There is a good
change around of paintings and a few sales are made from here every
year.
The Annual Exhibition takes place in August and there
is always a huge buzz of anticipation and excitement on handing
in day when artists bring in a huge collection of wonderful and
delightfully varied paintings and sculpture. This Exhibition is
always a great success, well supported by the local community and
visited by a huge number of visitors; many of whom will return
home to other parts of the world clutching under their arm a unique
work of art by a Lochaber Artist.
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