Commemorative show is third this year for prolific group
This year has been a big one for Woodstock Art Club (WAC), and it’s not over yet.
A new exhibition celebrating the club’s 70th anniversary – its third show this year – opened Sept. 3 at Connell House, Woodstock’s historic museum and arts venue.
The opening reception on Sept. 11 drew an admiring audience of artists and art lovers to the original parlour of the historic home, its walls filled with an eclectic mix of realistic and abstract art in a variety of mediums.
“I think this is a nice representation of the club and the different styles – realistic and abstract – and different media,” said artist Susanne Hansen, the club’s oldest surviving member. “We have linocuts, oils, acrylics, watercolour, photographs, and a charcuterie board.”
The Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery in Florenceville-Bristol hosted a retrospective 70th anniversary show at the beginning of the year. In August, WAC launched an ongoing display at Buttermilk Creek Eatery in downtown Woodstock, showcasing current members’ work that is available to purchase.
All the pieces in the Connell House show are new works by current members, Hansen explained.
“None of this work was in Florenceville, it’s all completely different work. (Club member) Anna Maria Dickinson thought we should find a venue in Woodstock, where we’re the Woodstock Art Club.”
Hansen had been hosting WAC meetings at her home; however, space is becoming a challenge – for positive reasons.
“Since the Florenceville show, our membership has grown, including some new members from upriver which is nice, and we have two new potential members here tonight. We need a larger space!”
WAC president Suzan Carsley is also encouraged by the growth and development she sees in the club.
“We’ve practically doubled our membership since the Florenceville show. We got exposure there and at the Buttermilk Creek Eatery – including a new member who was a diner there. It’s all about metamorphosis: we started as an art club, then became more social, and now it’s more about art with some social – like a butterfly. This beautiful historic building is such a wonderful backdrop to the wonderful diversity It’s great to be a part of it.”
Carsley, who is also manager of the Creek Village Gallery, noted that at its heart, the club will always be a group of friends that get together to make art.
During the club’s milestone septuagenarian year, members are continuing to uphold a longstanding tradition: holding workshops on different aspects of art.
“We have an art workshop at the end of October in egg tempera,” said Carsley. “It’s open to members, and if there is still space available, non-members are welcome to fill the remaining spots.”
To find out more about Woodstock Art Club and future events, email: woodstockartclub@gmail.com.
Woodstock Art Club’s 70th Anniversary Show at Connell House goes until Oct. 26.
