John Blockley – The President's Exhibition
In Memoriam
The Society's President G.John Blockley RI, PS, NEAC, RWA,
died on 16th January 2002.
THE PRESIDENT'S EXHIBITION
An exhibition of paintings by invited members of The Pastel Society, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour, Royal West of England Academy, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
The Exhibition was held from
Saturday June 22nd to Sunday July 8th 2001.
'The Studio', Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Mill Street, Ludlow.
Invited Artists
G. John Blockley RWA, RI, NEAC PPPS
Catherine Brennand RI
George Busby RBSA.
Kenneth Carter RWA, RBS
Martin Caulkin RI
Anne Cherry SWA
Patrick Conoley
Ray Evans RI
Moira Huntly RWA RI RSMA VPPS
Jill Jeffrey PS ATD.
Allan Laycock RWA
Debra Manifold RI PS
Ken Paine PS
Bob Rudd RI
Claire Spencer PS RBSA
Barbara Stewart RWA RBSA PS
Sarah Van Neikerk RWA, RE.
Introduction
This is the 5th major exhibition which the Society has sponsored to coincide with the Ludlow Festival, the first was the Pastel Society Exhibition in 1996. This one is rather special because the artists have been invited by the Society's President G. John Blockley RWA RI NEAC PPPS John's acceptance of the office of President of the Society is a gesture which is appreciated by our members.
The artists showing work in this exhibition are mostly members of the professional artists societies of whom John is a distinguished member. So the exhibition brings to Ludlow work of a high professional standard. and a general level of quality which is only normally seen in London or other major centres. I have to say that these exhibitions are organised primarily for our members' benefit. The Ludlow Art Society has a large membership distinguished by several talented and competent artists and our exhibitions by amateur art society standards are very successful though rather predictable. In contrast each painter and sculptor showing work in the President's Exhibition has developed a distinctive 'artistic voice' and all of us in the Ludlow Art Society can learn a great deal from their example. The President's Exhibition also makes a contribution to visual arts events in Ludlow at Festival time which I hope will be widely acknowledged.
Organising a major exhibition of this kind requires the cooperation of many people. I am very grateful for the friendly assistance of Sara Robinson, Artistic Director at the Assembly Rooms and her staff. Walton Brown has hung all of the work for us and I thank him for the care he always takes with this task. The Assembly Rooms of course is a Community Resource and I have to thank those regular users of The Studio' whose activities have been disrupted for their forbearance.
If this exhibition is your first acquaintance with Ludlow Art Society I hope it will encourage you to keep in touch with the Society's ongoing programme of activities.
Robert Kirk, Chairman.