Dorset Artists

about us…
Dorset Artists is a group that can be
found on Facebook. We are an open group
designed primarily to share news, banter with a
large dose of humour and work between all artists,
visual or performing, in Dorset and surrounding
areas. With 300 members and rising there is a huge
amount of talent in all areas of the medium to be
found in Dorset.
The concept of a group of like-minded artistic
people coming together to form a collective to share
ideas is not new. Throughout the history of Art,
whether it be through painting, literature, music or
sculpture to name but a few, there has always been
artists who have worked and played together in one
way or another.
In the 21st Century, social networking and social
media plays an invaluable role with the promotion
of Art. Finding the broader/wider audience that our
fore fathers could only ever have dreamed about is
now so easy. With the click of a button our work
can reach the other side of the globe in an instant.
The wonders of the World Wide Web at our finger
tips.
That said, I find it’s always nice to still have the
ability to harp back to the old days, the time before
the new technology began to over-take our lives in
this modern age. Isn’t it lovely to walk into a
second-hand bookstore and breathe in that
delightful old aroma! I’m sure I’m not the only one
who likes to sniff a good book but I digress! In
future issues I will explore these old groups of
yester year to see how they compare with what we
are achieving in the modern age. I have to wonder
what the likes of the Bloomsbury Set would make of
the 21st Century and beyond!
As with any group, we Dorset Artists like to have
a good social get together, it’s not all about staring
at a computor screen, chatting to our virtual peers.
Words with expressions are so important, it can be
so easy for comments to be taken out of context,
especially without the proper use of grammar and
punctuation. Used correctly, the written word can
be a powerful tool but nothing can beat a good
healthy discussion in person!
Dorset Artists - The Magazine is the next
logical step for the development of the group. Our
founding member, Martyn Gleaden suggested that
it would be a good project for me, Sarah Broome,
to be involved with. I have, therefore, accepted the
challenge. My hope is for our readers and group
members to enjoy being a part of this special
journey we find ourselves embarking on. Join us as
we bare our souls, share with you what makes us
tick as artists, and explore our world of Art in this
small corner of England we call Dorset.
In our very first issue we introduce to you the first
of our three artists: Stephen Bithell, Carla Taylor
and Andrea Jenkins. We give to you Annie Taylor,
our very own Dorset Artist Abroad. She tells us
about her life in the Pyrenees and why she paints
the Dorset landscape. Stephen Yates writes about
his art expeditions in Europe and further afield, in
this and future issues. Sharon James, Gallery
Owner, also writes for us along with our very own
Martyn Gleaden.
It just leaves me to say on behalf of Dorset Artists
that I hope you enjoy reading the very first issue of
our magazine. Sit back, put your feet up, grab a
coffee and relax with the Art of Dorset at your
fingertips!
ENJOY!