Hornsea Art Society

The Hornsea Art Society was founded in 1969 by a small group of people sharing a common interest and enthusiasm for drawing and painting, meeting under the leadership of Harry Hudson Rodmell RSMA who became the first president of the society. This position was later taken up by Colin Verity, also a member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists and the society has flourished over the years and membership now fluctuates just short of the 100 mark.

We are an active and vibrant society, our main showcase being the annual summer exhibition which attracts around a thousand visitors with trophies being awarded in 13 categories. Some members also take part in an Open Studios event in and around Hornsea which is proving increasingly popular. Monthly meetings are held featuring demonstrations or illustrated talks by artists from the north of England and we have a comprehensive library of DVDs which are available to hire. Members are also encouraged to take part in full-day workshops, held in spring and autumn and we organise plein air outings during the year which are well supported. In addition to the main exhibition, we now run a project during the year which culminates in a second exhibition of work. This has included “Tour and Detour” which focussed on the Tour de France in Yorkshire; “Passe-partout” which was based on the game of Chinese Whispers; and last year “Spotlight on Hornsea” where participants draw a local map location out of the hat and have to produce a piece of artwork from that area. The theme this year is linked to 'Hull, City of Culture'. Members are also eligible to join the “Monday morning group”, meeting weekly for hands-on practice and mutual support, and the Textile group which concentrates on that particular skill. Hornsea Art Society sponsors and judges competitions in three local schools, offering prizes and a trophy to each, with winning entries being displayed at the summer exhibition. The Society has members of all abilities, from beginners to professionals, working in a wide range of media including watercolour, acrylics, oils, pastel, textiles, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery. Members frequently exhibit their work outside the society and several have taken part in Hornsea’s Seawall Art Competition and their work is now permanently displayed on the south promenade.