Maldon Art Club (MAC) 2014 Open Exhibition
This years’ summer exhibition was scheduled to be held in June but due to exceptional circumstances had to be postponed. It was subsequently held at the Moot Hall, Maldon on 3rd and 4th October which coincided with the Maldon Art Trail week.
There were in excess of 80 framed pictures displayed on the ground and first floors of the iconic Moot Hall, together with several unframed portfolios of work. About 70% of the work on display was by MAC members with the balance by local and professional artists keen to exhibit with us.
The Moot Hall is perfectly situated to attract visitors and we recorded 195 people willing to browse among the art, have coffee / delicious home-made cakes and spend cash on their chosen masterpieces. Several visitors seem to have been attracted to the exhibition to have a drink and a cake for a pound – then enjoyed the art!
A lot of people commented that they were impressed with the quality and variety of the work on display and a couple of self-confessed “matchstick drawers” said they particularly admired our amateur’s ability to produce some lovely work.
Friday evening saw the exhibitions excellent reception and “official opening” by the Maldon Town Council Mayor - Stephen Nunn. Stephen’s speech was very well received by the members and they appreciated his support of us, the arts in Maldon and for giving his (and his wife Christine’s) time to be with us. He expressed specific admiration for the work of several MAC members during his tour of the exhibition.
The award winning pictures, (restricted to MAC members) were chosen during the reception by our guest artist Jenny Hill. Jenny detailed the reasons she chose each of the three winning entries and announced the winners. Those chosen were:
· Pencil Drawing: Walk in the woods by Carol Nutt
· Chairman’s Prize: Stiffkey, Norfolk by Reg Young
· Overall Prize: Transformation by Penny Marsh
Congratulations to the winning artists from all MAC members & your winner’s cheques are in the post!
The exhibition was a great success, particularly in terms of visitor numbers and number / value of paintings sold. Success doesn’t occur by accident and the Club have to thank the support by non-MAC artists, Julie Miller at the Moot Hall, Jenny Hill and Stephen Nunn and his wife for their significant contribution. Thanks from the MAC committee are also extended to the club members who gave their time planning, stewarding, baking, sign making and general effort to make this a successful event.
Our new stands made their first appearance and although expensive, were brilliant. Unlike the old ones, nobody tripped over them or rattled them with shopping bags throughout the two days of the exhibition!! In terms of safety they are exactly what the Club and visitors need. Additionally, they still retain the ability to flexibly configure pictures, so important to good viewing.
The raffle prize, arranged by Keith Kemp at no cost to the club, proved to be a big success generating £147 income. The draw, by our treasurer – Debbie Rayment took place on 7th October during our club night. The winning ticket, No. 83 belongs to Richard Ellis a member at Three Rivers Golf Club.
Photos of the event below:
The new stands ground floor Max – ground floor ground floor
ground floor 1st floor first floor
Anne – first floor Friday reception Friday reception
Bill Awards – Jenny Hill Mayor Stephen Nunn Sue’s lovely cakes