ODIHAM ART GROUP
News and Information
If you have a story that you would like to share with OAG members please email me.
Christmas Special
Despite the best efforts of storm Darragh, our Christmas Meeting was very well supported.
As befits the occasion we were able to share wine, mince pies and the usual teas and coffees with all our members who had braved the weather to join us.
A large number of paintings were entered into the 'favourite painting competition'. The entries were of their usual high standard and were very much appreciated by all members. First prize went to Jenny Kennish for a sensitive oil portrait and second prize was awarded to Annie Godwin for a warm interior study.
Maggie Jackson was our delighted raffle prize winner who was able to go home with an original water colour painting donated by Charles Evans.
OAG in the Spotlight ...
The Odiham Art Group appears in the Autumn edition of the Paint & Create Magazine - published by the SAA (Society of All Artists).
The article not only outlines the "long history" of our group but illustrates the way the group successfully runs its demonstration and workshop programme culminating in our major exhibition in August.
The article demonstrates why our group achieves the success it does - with 140 members regularly participating in their love of art through the activities organised by the OAG Committee.
With a magazine circulation of 30,000 the article certainly puts the Odiham Art Group in the "spotlight."
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They have entered into a creative collaboration with Art Profile, a database of artists in the UK.
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Search Press have an extensive database of painting books available. Code for orders - DD115
Search Press Book Offer
OAG Welcomes New Members
Even before our first session of the season has officially opened we were delighted to receive new membership applications.
We would like to welcome the following new members and hope they enjoy a long and fruitful experience among their fellow artists:
Emma Booth
Elizabeth Burnes
Angela Cardiff
Zoe Cox
Patricia Dennis (returning member)
Hannah Edwards
Dione Johnson (returning member)
PS We're pretty good at cake as well!
OAG Annual Exhibition 2024 Review
Once again, we are delighted to announce that support for our annual show broke all records with more than 600 visitors!
Visitors made a point of acknowledging both the outstanding quality of works and the professional manner in which the Show had been hosted.
We are extremely proud of all those members who took part and offer our congratulations to the winners. This year's awards were judged by Julia Cassells, a professional artist and regular demonstrator at OAG meetings.
Award or Merit
Jillian Smith with ‘Quiet Waters’
Jenny Johnson with ‘Beyond the Stream’
Alysoun Sanders with ‘Bembridge Boats’
The winner of the Peter Adam’s Trophy in the Visitors Choice was:
Viv Cummins with ‘Tabby Kitten’
Runner up was Moira Stewart with ‘Indian Girl’
It cannot be underestimated how challenging it is to organise and deliver an event as large as this and we are indebted to Christine Sharp and her amazing team who make this happen year after year.
If you would like to exhibit your work at the 2025 OAG Summer Exhibition and be part of the Odiham Art Group please read our membership details and get in touch.
OAG In Print!
We are delighted to announce that the OAG will be featured as an article in the Society of All Artist's (SAA) Magazine in the Autumn edition. The SAA was founded as a commercial organisation in 1992 and now has over 30,000 members, both professional and amateur artists, owned by the Cass Art Group - who run a number of art shops in the UK.
One of the many articles in Print & Create is an Art Club Spotlight and we thought it would be a good idea to get OAG spotlighted and the magazine's editor agreed.
The article outlines the structure of our group, its longevity and success, plus our membership size, notably larger than most other art groups. We have submitted a number of photos which we hope will be featured throughout the article.
Members pay an annual fee around £45 for the art services, 900 + videos, support for art groups, access to tutorials/demonstrations/workshops, four magazines a year and a full range of art materials that can be ordered (at lower prices than normal art retailers).
AGM Review
The AGM was well received by members with a good turn out. As always, the meeting was a great opportunity to learn more about the OAG , to thank those who help support it and socialise over a free lunch and glass of wine!
The current committee, many of whom have served in post for a number of years, is now looking to replace some of its core members. If you would like to get involve and ensure that the OAG continues to thrive with new and exciting ideas we would love to hear from you. To find out more about these roles please email the team.
Given that we are a very active group of artists, we didn't need much encouragement to hold a painting competition. Submitted works were judged by members in attendance who had the unenviable job of picking just one favorite from a fabulous selection. All entries were of a very high standard and this year's winner was Hilary Dancer - image shown.
Congratulations Hilary and thanks to all those who took part.
Annual Blossom Walk ...
Back in May, Abigail Devenny was invited to work with visitors in Ross on Wye Cider at their annual Blossom Walk through the orchards. A collaborative painting captured the joy of the blossom trees, to help raise funds for Hope Support Services. It was a fantastic day and had artists of all ages taking part and making marks on the canvas.
"We had wildflowers, birds, woodland creatures, leaves, blossom and clouds all added and it was wonderful to see so many people enthused by picking up a paintbrush. Many commented that it was the first time they had painted in years. The sun put in a full appearance for us which was a lovely treat! "
OAG 'Wildcards' take part in
Landscape Artist of the Year
OAG members, Abigail Devenny and Christine Sharp, were lucky enough to be picked as Wildcard entries at Hever Castle for this year’s series of Landscape Artist of the Year.
The episode was recorded on a very hot June day in 2023 but they were lucky as the previous day’s weather was mixed, with torrential rain during the morning.
The ‘pods’ for the main artists were situated to the left of the wildcard area overlooking the pond, with the castle in the distance. The wildcards were told to pick a spot in an area of sloping lawn which had a lovely view of the castle and the attractive buildings around it.
It was a great experience despite the early start (they had to be there at 7.30am) but they both had a super day, met lots of nice people, chatted to all sorts of artists working around them and had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Their advice to other members thinking of entering – practise painting plein air beforehand and have a go, it’s fun!
Art Impact Review
Christine Sharp, Jayne Perkins, Joan Crawford and Maggie Jackson, all members of Odiham Art Group, together with Ann Hoddinott took part in Art Impact in January 2024.
The informal group was started last year and this was their first exhibition at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire, in an attractive area of the Visitor Centre at the entrance to the gardens. The added draw of a spacious new café was an additional plus for visitors and the exhibition, which stretched over nine days in mid-January, attracting over 1,600 visitors.
All the artists sold paintings during the show (15 paintings in total) and significant numbers of greetings cards. Lots of business cards were taken too, alongside some lovely comments in the visitor book, which included the following;
“Such pleasure at seeing such great art, the sketchbooks are really interesting. Thank you.”
“Absolutely inspiring exhibition. Beautifully displayed so each picture can be seen in its own right. Thank you.”
“Very inspiring, such good work!”
Overall it was an excellent event for all concerned. There are plans to repeat the show in the next year or two so watch this space for Art Impact – the return!
