THE Lansdown Art Club Exhibition was an extra special event this year as it was the 50th year that the club was founded.

It began in 1966 and meetings were held in the premises of a photographic studio, situated in Lansdown, Stroud, hence Lansdown Art Club!

We decided to celebrate this event at our Annual Art Exhibition which was to be held at Stroud Subscription Rooms, from April 22-30.

We researched the history of the club and contacted former members to recall its earlier days.

A founder member Joy Thacker remembered it well and gave her account, including photographs, so we were able to get a potted history to include in our exhibition.

As well as our usual variety of paintings and subjects, it was decided that we would dedicate one wall to pictures of Stroud only.

The Preview was to be held on Friday evening, but prior to that, some members had spent an exhausting day arranging and hanging pictures, display boards and the final touches, flowers and an enormous 50th birthday cake!

Simon Trapnell from “Nature in Art”, opened the exhibition and gave a speech, and special guest, founder member Joy Thacker blew out the candles on the Birthday cake!

There was a real buzz as guests and members arrived and were offered cake and refreshment.

A successful evening, and our efforts to arrange the exhibition were rewarded, the display of paintings was of a high standard and we had many pleasing comments, even some sales were made!

Throughout the week following, we had over 170 visitors, who showed a lot of interest.

We asked members of the public to choose a favourite painting and they chose Gerard Atkinson’s painting, an impressive painting depicting cameo scenes of Stroud.

Monthly meetings resume on May 10, at Sainsbury’s coffee shop, 7.30-9.30pm.

A practical evening where members bring subjects to paint, still life, portraits or café scene?

Non-members welcome!

Our monthly meeting on June 14, will be guest artist Jem Bowden, demonstrating a coastal scene in watercolour.