Programme of events

Private view and open evening
Members and their guests are invited to the opening of the Spring Exhibition on Thursday 15 May at 7pm. The exhibition will be opened by our Patron the Rt Hon. Michael Howard QC MP. The exhibition will be open to the public from Friday 16 May to Monday 26 May, 10am to 5pm each day.

On Sunday 18 May at 2.30pm Robert H. Benson KCSG, Patron, is to present the Rita Benson Student Award. Robert’s generosity in supporting this award, named after his late wife Rita, a fine artist and long-time member of the Society, will encourage the young to develop their skills in the arts.

On Tuesday 20 May at 7pm we hold our Party and Entertainment evening for members and guests. Our Patrons Robert Benson will present  the ’People’s Choice’ award and Michael Stainer will present the prize for the winner of the ‘Grand Competition’ to be held in the Palm Court.

On Friday 23 May at 7pm Brian Oxley will give a critique of the work in the exhibition. An evening looked forward to, if somewhat nervously, by members. Even so, this was very popular when a similar evening was held at last year’s Spring Exhibition.

The Folkestone Art Society Journal
Our Journal, published twice a year, is edited by John Sussums. In addition to the editorial by John, there is the Chairman’s Letter by Patsy Baker and the Crossword by Alan Luff. There is also the history of the Society, written by John, which also appears on this website. There are also articles by Anthony Slinn, Robert Benson and Peter McMaster.

This year, and to celebrate our 80th anniversary, the Folkestone Flower Clock is to be dedicated to the Folkestone Art Society. It is an honour for us to be chosen in 2008 as the centrepiece of the wonderful display of flowers that, each summer, decorate The Leas. The clock is usually open from the end of May and will continue to the end of our exhibition in November. In the early 1960s Elizabeth Twistington Higgins, a member of the Society, had suffered polio and spent her time painting large oil paintings by mouth. With this historical connection the Society has decided that any money donated by the public (there is a collection box next to the clock) will be sent to the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists charity.

Kent & East Sussex Railway Artists’ Days will be held onTuesday 15 April to Thursday 17 April 2008. Finished work will be exhibited on 16 and 17 August. Full details and a booking form from Ann Quarterman, Events Co-ordinator, Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden Town Station, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HE. Tel: 01580 765155 or email at ann@kesr.org.uk.

The Palm Court has been booked from 12 to the 23 June for Members (full members only) to exhibit one artwork each (no more than 2ftx3ft please) on the theme ‘Tales of Time and Space’. This exhibition will run at the same time as the ‘Open Studios’ and at the start of the 2008 Triennial. Members should bring their work for hanging at 9.30 to10am on the 12th.

A day excursion to Lille for visits to the Palais des Beaux-Arts and the Roubaix Museum of Art is planned for 18 June. Details will be sent to members and, of course, guests will be welcome to join us.

The Open Air Railings exhibition will again be held on The Leas on the 29 June. Details from Yvonne Hutchcraft on 01303 245216 or Mary Mather on 01303 266331.

Members may wish to enter the SAA - Artist of the Year competition. The first prize is £2000 (£1000 cash and £1000 art materials). For more information go to their website www.saa.co.uk and click on Artist of the Year heading. FAS membership No.062596 which you will have to quote - there are several categories.

Winter Exhibition 2008
Our Winter Exhibition 2008 is from Wednesday 5 November to Saturday 15 November. Professor Anthony Slinn will continue his series of lectures sponsored by FAS and part of the Folkestone Literary Festival, with an illustrated talk on Turner and Constable and we will hold our Christmas party and entertainment on Friday 14 November. More details nearer to the exhibition time.

The Palm Court at The Grand has also been booked for a Christmas exhibition from 18 November to 15 December. More details for members later. Members should bring their work for hanging at 9.30 to10am on the 18th, (full members only) to exhibit one artwork each (no more than 2ftx3ft please).

Members will be meeting for a social evening on the first Tuesday of every month at Keppels Bar at The Grand (Garden Bar) starting at 7.30pm from 1st April. Members have expressed an interest in meeting more often so please support our socials and come along. Guests welcome. More information from Yvonne Hutchcraft on 01303 245216.