Aroundtown Magazine July/August 2022

HOBBIES
Celebrating
colourful
a
centenary
Longevity is the
defining characteristic
of Rotherham Society
of Arts and Crafts as it
gets set to celebrate its
centenary this autumn.
Established at a time of
innovation and expression in the
Roaring Twenties, the society
has been shaped by various art
movements over the last hundred
years, from Art Deco to abstract,
pop art to post-modernism. Today,
the society continues to provide an
opportunity for people to showcase
their artistic talents and strengthen
their potential.
Rotherham Society of Artists was
started in November 1922 by a group
of distinguished, professional artists
and promising art students from
“
Hobby artists
are joined by
professionals,
such as current
president Rachel
Lewis who turned a
lifelong hobby into
a career at 40
”
Sheffield School of Art.
Their aim was to promote the
advancement and development
of art in Rotherham, and it was a
prestigious club to be part of. Some
of its founder members include
Royal College of Art alumni Edwin la
Dell, Royal Society of British Artists
landscape artist Stanley Royle,
and David Jagger who went on to
paint portraits commissioned of
aristocracy and royalty, including the
late Prince Philip.
Membership wasn’t automatic;
there was a strict interview process
where would-be members had
to show their work – which could
only be watercolour or oil - to the
committee to see if it was good
enough to pass the test. Even then,
membership didn’t mandate the
chance to exhibit work.
Of the original 14 members,
there was only one woman: Mrs
Florence Fieldhouse. But her work
was reported to have been themost
expensive of all the society’s
paintings, regarded for her vibrant
and accurate floral displays.
Today, the society is a lot more
inclusive and a lot less restrictive,
having recently changed its name to
Rotherham Society of Arts and Crafts
to reflect the mixed media used by
current members, from ceramics to
See more work by Rachel Lewis at www.butterflygallery.co.uk
46 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk
printing and illustration.
You don’t need any formal
training to join and it is open to
all, whether you’re a beginner or
professional artist. The supportive
group has a wealth of knowledge,
sharing ideas together as a collective
through friendly help and advice
about how to improve work.
Some members have been part
of the society for decades, such
as current secretary Joan Corker
who joined 25 years ago to support
a friend and shortly after became
president by default. While some, like
Joan, have art qualifications, others
come to learn the basics. Hobby
artists are joined by professionals,
such as current president Rachel
Lewis who turned a lifelong hobby
into a career at 40 after many years
as a physiotherapist. Last year
she won Highly Commended and
the People’s Prize at the Cooper
Gallery’s open art competition for her
watercolour depiction of a cabbage
titled Simply Savoy.
From September through to
May, Rotherham Society of Arts and
Crafts meets fortnightly at St James’s
Rooms within Wath Parish Church.
Sessions alternate between talks,
demonstrations and workshops.
The programme is always varied,
covering everything from encaustic
art to life drawing.
During the summer months, the
society meets outdoors to paint
or draw plein air (in the open air),
regularly visiting regional beauty sites
like Wentworth Woodhouse, Old
Moor, Manvers Lake, and Wentworth
Castle.
By Joan Corker
To mark their big birthday,
Rotherham Society of Arts and
Crafts will be hosting an exhibition at
Wath Church called Art in the Aisles
from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th
September. This will be followed by a
smaller exhibition at Maurice Dobson
Museum in Darfield throughout the
month of October. Both are free
entry, with work available to purchase
on the day.
Annual membership is £35, or
you can attend any session
for £5. The new year starts in
September where sessions will
be held every other Friday at St
James’ Rooms, Wath Church
7pm-9pm. They are also looking
for artists or crafters who could
run workshops or demonstrations
for the 2022/23 programme.
Contact rsa@live.co.uk for
more information.