Gallery: Wolverhampton shows off art

Wolverhampton Society of Artists' biennial showcase at the Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield Street, features an eclectic mix of fine art, and visitors to the opening enjoyed culture, cameraderie, and a tipple or two.

The watercolour painting by Ed Isaacs gives a different perspective of the city centre, focusing on the ornate buildings and open space of the square. The Tettenhall-based artist even got the seal of approval from the city's mayor Councillor Ian Brookfield, who liked the painting so much that he bought it.

Mark Whitehouse was a double award winner for his work called Into the Mystic, picking up the prizes for Selectors Choice and Gallery Staff Choice.

And David Coxon's watercolour piece Car in a Wood won the Curator's Choice gong.

David, who grew up in Willenhall but now stays in Claverley, on the Shropshire/Wolverhampton border, has won awards across the globe, but was thrilled to gain recognition at a major home event.

He said: "I exhibit all over the world, I've got paintings in the USA, China, and France and I've won awards all over the world.

"It was a very special moment to win the Curator's Choice award, especially in my home town.

"The painting that won is typical of the work that I do. It's the type of thing that I paint, industrial things that have no use any more and have been reclaimed by nature. It's always a surprise to get an award, and always very nice. It's an honour to win, because the standard of work was particularly high.

"To be able to support the local arts society where it all began for me is fantastic.

"I think it's important to always remember your roots and support where you're from."

Fellow local artist Jean Lloyd also enjoyed positive feedback from visitors for a painting of hers which was featured in the exhibition.

The Castlecroft-based painter specialises in oil portraits.

She said: "The picture is of a lady who I work with. Quite often when I see people who look particularly interesting, I'll ask if I can paint them.

"It was the hair that did it for me, it looked absolutely beautiful.

"She was going through a bit of a sad time in her life when I painted her, she looked very melancholy, and I've tried to capture that in the painting."

She added: "The outcome I was quite pleased with.

"I entered it for the exhibition and was delighted when it was accepted, given the talented artists that are involved.

"I've had very positive comments about it when I went to the opening.

"The subject actually came with me, so people were quite fascinated to see the subject, the painter and the painting.

"There is quite a lot to doing a portrait, it's not just about making it look like the person, you have to try and capture the mood."

She has also painted a picture of singer Debbie Harry, of Blondie fame, which is garnering interest at the Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery.

And highly commended awards were made to Robert Cox for his sculpture in wood Flower and Stamen, Carol Widenbar for her engraving Figure in Blue and Nick Williams for painting 'Landscape'.

The opening was also attended by a group of new Gurkha recruits, and two panoramic photographs of areas of Nepal which were destroyed in the devastating earthquake in April this year, were presented to war hero Captain Pun, which were a poignant reminder for him. This is a big year for the WSA, which also has an exhibition running at the gallery in Nuneaton until this Sunday.

Carol Widenbar, spokeswoman for the Society, felt opening was a big success.

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She said: "It was such a lovely atmosphere, we had so many people visiting, it was just wonderful. The wine was flowing and the conversation was lively. She added: "It is an opportunity for the Society to reach out to a much wider audience. "It is also a chance reach out to make new friends and introduce ourselves to new potential members as well as the public at large.

"Being seen by a larger audience is an important part of growing the Society and developing new outlets for the work of our members." People can still view the exhibition, which will be on show until February 27, and there are also a number of events between now and the end of the showcase on selected Saturdays, where various artists will demonstrate a diverse range of styles.

This Saturday, Peter Burt will be oil painting and Margaret Jervis will demonstrate textiles.

On November 28, Keith Oram will give a talk about the exhibition, and on December 12 , Chris Manley will demonstrate ink and wash and oil pastel sketching. In the new year, Ron Satterthwaite will share his portrait painting skills on January 9, and on January 23, Robert Ormerod will give a masterclass in acrylic painting.

Ed Isaacs will be urban sketching inside the gallery on February 6 and Sarah Stokes will share her insight into watercolour wildlife painting on February 20. All classes are from 10am to 2pm. The society was formed in 1919 as the Wolverhampton New Art Circle before changing to its current name in 1938.

It held exhibitions regulalrly for over 80 years at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, aside from a brief intermission from 2004-2007 while buidling works were taking place.

In more recent times, the Society has broadened its activities to include monthly lectures and demonstrations, sketch-night sessions in life and still life, painting days in the field, tutored workshops, visits to art-related venues and the production of its magazine, "The Limner".

Find out more about the society and how you can become a member by visiting their website at www.wsa-artists.com, or find them on Facebook.