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HISTORY OF THE ART SOCIETY Previously known as THE RANGIORA ART GROUP

This document has been updated recently by society members who do not re- member past members or events. There may well be errors, for which we apolo- gise. Please let us know so they can be corrected

1 HISTORY OF THE RANGIORA ART SOCIETY Previously known as THE RANGIORA ART GROUP

This is a combination of The Society’s records of the The following year Mr. Michael Harlow showed annual general meetings and the memories of past and slides. present members. Sometimes family members of now In 1969 Mr. Ron Mackie showed a film entitled deceased members have been asked for their comments so “The Golden Section” as to give the reader as much in formation as possible. In 1970 the A.G.M was held on the 4th of February According to Mr Barry Jones, his mother took painting in the War Memorial Hall. Mr. George Genet, a lessons in the early nineteen hundreds and there was a artist painted a landscape explaining small group of people who would meet to paint together. the application of paint. There is no record to say There was no formal structure and Mrs. Enid Denton what medium he used or what the landscape was reports of a group of about six people who used to meet of. informally before the Second World War to paint to- gether. The 1971 A.G.M. was again held at the War Memo- rial Hall on the 4th of February. At this meeting Mr. This group restarted again after WW2 in 1959 as the W.B. Moore a well known Christchurch and New Rangiora Art Group and continued to meet regularly to Zealand artist gave a demonstration using a palette pursue their hobby. The first meeting was apparently knife with great dexterity. A new technique to held in the home of Agnes Koller. most and it was greatly appreciated.

In 1972 the A.G.M. was held on the 23rd of Febru- The earliest minutes that have been found are of ary at the War Memorial Hall. Mr. Bill Cumming, the Annual General Meeting held in the Art Room the Adult Education lecturer with the Department of the on the 4th of February of Extension Studies, University of Canterbury for 1967 at 10am with 14 persons present. the Rangiora District gave a lecture on paintings in In 1968 the A.G.M. was held in the War Memorial Australian Art Galleries and Museums in Sydney Hall on Monday the 5th of February at 7.30 pm. The and Melbourne. He illustrated his talk with a fine same venue was used the following year and at set of slides. Mr. Cumming died in July 2002 in a this meeting Mr. Simpson moved a vote of thanks motor vehicle accident as he was crossing Moor- to Mrs. Koller for her work as Secretary since the house avenue in Christchurch. He was still teach- formation of the group approximately ten years ing art at the Arts and Design Department of The ago. Christchurch Polytechnic. In 1973 the A.G.M. was held in the War Memorial Hall on Wednesday the 7th of February. Mr. Ron

Mackie showed slides of the 1971 and 1972 Na- tional Bank Art Awards The slide show was ac- companied by a tape commentary and was enjoyed by all present at the meeting.

In 1974 the venue for the A.G.M. was changed to

the Anglican Parish Hall. The meeting was held on February the 6th. The guest of honour on that occa- sion was Mr. Bill Cumming the well known Christ- church artist and Art teacher. He talked about

painting techniques. To illustrate he used his own paintings to show how his work had evolved from his beginnings to his latest painting. 1975 at the St John Anglican Parish Hall on Febru- ary 3rd Mr John Turner, Art Master at the Rangiora High School gave a helpful and interesting ap- Agnes Koller as known in later years praisal of the paintings brought by ten group mem- It seems the A.G.M. was used as an opportunity bers. for further information on the art of painting. A From 1975 onwards the record of the Art Group Mr. John Oakly showed slides and lectured on “A are more extensive, with reports of Committee Critic looks at Painting”in 1967. meeting and programmes of painting days for the coming year. 2 It seems the group met on a monthly basis for out- The Groups exhibition was held in the Farmers door painting and moving to the Art Room at the Store from the 22nd of March to the 27th. It proved a Rangiora High School from June onward. successful exhibition with four paintings sold and It was decided to hold an Exhibition later in the much positive feedback from members of the pub- year around October or November. lic. Management of the store were pleased with the exhibition as it brought in more costumers and in- Mr. Jesney, who as President was asked to ap- creased turnover for the week. proach the manager of The Farmers store for per- mission to stage the exhibition in that store in The financial state of the Rangiora Art Group March 1976 showed a healthy balance of $20.- for the year and it was suggested that the annual subscription The 1976 A.G.M. held in the St Johns Parish Hall on should be raised from $1.50 to $2.00. February the 3rd at 7.30pm. Mr Bill Sutton gave in- teresting talk on the development of his painting over a number of years. He used slides to illustrate The 1977 Annual General Meeting was held on his talk and finished by showing us his slides of his February the 21st in the St John’s Parish Hall. Only paintings done in Italy where he used pen and 17 people were present .It was a very wet and wash drawings to record his impressions instead of stormy night and this was probably the reason for using a camera as most people do. This was a very the low attendance. It seems from the report of the memorable evening. meeting that the Exhibition was once again held in Among the old records I have found a hand writ- the Farmers store but no further details are given. ten note, signed Bill Sutton, former art lecturer. It The financial balance was a healthy $58.64. Obvi- seems appropriate to include it at this stage. I do ously the rise in the annual subscription the previ- not know if this is a quotation from someone else ous year contributed to this result. or if I am right in attributing this to Mr. Sutton. The painting days seem to have increased to fort- “All art is but imitation of nature” nightly meetings, with venues divided between the “Everyone wants to understand art. High School and areas around , Rangiora, Cust and . The last painting day of the year Why not try to understand the song of a bird? Why does was at Woodstock Station in the Waimakariri one have the right flowers, everything around one, with- Gorge area. out trying to understand it? But in the case of a paint- ing people have to understand. If only they would realize At the A.G.M. the guest speaker was Mr. Michael above all that an artist works because he must, that he Thomas who gave a talk on painting over the pe- himself is only a trifling bit of the world, and no more riod from Rueben’s to the present day. He illus- importance should be attached to him than to plenty of trated his talk with slides. A most interesting and other things in the world that please us, though we can’t constructive evening. explain them. People who try to explain pictures are usually barking up the wrong tree” 1978.A.G.M at the St. John’s Parish Hall on the 22nd of February, 18 people in attendance “If you can explain a painting,.. it isn’t a work of The notes of the meeting are very brief, giving only art” .Renoir the minimum of information However it seems from the painting days pro- “Art experiences cannot be borrowed, it is something gramme that this was the first year the group or- that comes from within yourself.” ganised tutorials On three days in April and one day in May Mrs. T The painting programme for 1976 stated with a day Bliss was the tutor. The day was from 10am till at the Anglican Cemetery. In April the group 2pm and the fee was $2.- per student per day painted ponies at Dawsons farm at Woodfield Later on in the year Mrs. Molly Atkins did a course road. The following month the day was spent at of four tutorials in peoples homes. Swinton Park in Amberley. Then a day at The The charge was $8. For the four days Groynes on the outskirts of Christchurch. The fol- lowing two meetings were spent at the Rangiora 1978 was the centennial for the Rangiora Borough High School where the topics were, a still life and at the end of September and members were en- experimental drawing and painting. couraged to make the exhibition a special one to coincide with the celebrations The group took to the outdoors again in September for the rest of the year at venues like Cust, North Mr. Bill Cumming showed the group slides of his Loburn and Stewarts Gully. recent trip to Britain, Guernsey, France and Spain. 3 The exhibition was held in the Bank of New Zea- first published in 1985 and is simply called “Dear land shop and had been a most successful venture. Sam ” However, in the report of a committee meeting on The programme for the year was a combination of the 6th of December it is reported that the Garden outdoor painting at Rangiora, Loburn, Cust and a Exhibition had been so successful that it was de- combined meeting with the Amberley painting cided to make this an annual event. So perhaps the group as well as hosting the Town and Country group had two exhibitions that year. Art group at the Anglican Church Hall in Cust. The Annual Exhibition was again held in the 1979 saw a change in venue for the A.G.M.This Koller’s garden on Oxford road. time the meeting was held in the staff room at the The proceeds of the day were donated to Borough School on the 19th of February, 27 people “Holmwood” nursing home. were present. Mr. Jesney had expressed his intention not to seek In 1980 the A.G.M. was held on February the 18th at re-election, so this was his last Annual report. He the Rangiora High School. expressed his thanks to the group for their support and said how much he had enjoyed being presi- There were 35 people present. A letter was re- dent, he advised members to take time to enjoy the ceived from the Pottery group asking for members painting days and not be in a hurry to finish a to exhibit paintings at their March Exhibition. The painting in a few hours, and never to think they potters, woodworkers and weavers had joined the were too old to paint. group in the past two years at the garden exhibi- tion. Mrs, Agnes Koller expressed her thanks to Mr. Jes- ney on behalf of the group and spoke of her happy The financial balance this year was $98.32. a letter association with Mr. Jesney as President. He had of thanks was sent to the auditor Mr. Gowan. done a great deal for the Rangiora Art Group; re- Mr Ron Mackie was the guest speaker for the eve- minding people of painting days and even when ning and he showed slides of the newly opened he was not painting himself he would come and walkway from Lewis Pass to Aickens, a route he see how members were managing. The group was had tramped with his family. He also operated the sad to lose him and he would be missed. projector for the group to show the1979 National Mrs, Joan Toshach was elected President and the Bank Art Competition film. The president ex- other positions remained as they were. pressed her thanks on behalf of the group for a most enjoyable and interesting meeting.

In September the committee held a meeting to plan for the exhibition to be held in Mrs. Koller’s gar- den. It was decided to again invite Spinners, Weav- ers, Potters, China Painters and Cottage Craft art- ists to the Exhibition. Proceeds from the Exhibition will be donated to the St John Ambulance, after expenses for advertising are met. During 1980 mention is made of a landscape paint- ing day held by the Rangiora District Adult Educa- tion Committee, membes of the Art Group partici- pated in these painting days and also had a com- bined painting day with the Town and Country Art group. These days were usually held at Cust and the Rangiora group would be responsible for

the venue and morining and afternoon teas.

Also during that year the group was invited by Mr. Joan Toshach Mackie to view the art folders of students at the Rangiora high School. Mr Sam Mahon was the guest speaker and he spoke about his experience of living in France the previous year. Sam Mahon has gone on to become The 1981 A.G.M. was held on the 19th of February an important artist in , and is the in the staff room of the Rangiora High School. 22 subject of a volume of letters to him and others by people attended. In her annual report the President his esteemed father Justice Mahon. The book was Mrs.Toshach mentioned that there had been a

4 marked improvement in the works exhibited at the “Creativity is the basis of artistic achievement,” Garden Exhibition. No mention is made of the “Draw to develop creativity. You should try something number of paintings sold but the Exhibition was creative .drawing is especially good but music is too. If considered the most successful yet. you just sit down for say 15 minutes a day and try sketching what you see, over a few weeks you’ll find you really do have artistic ability.” “Do not fear going forward slowly, fear only standing still.” The 1982 Annual General Meeting was held at the Rangiora High school. 24 members were present. In her annual report the President mentioned how successful the year had been. The use of the art room at the high school had proved to be particu- larly helpful. A member of the committee was re- sponsible each week for arranging a still life or having a model available and would also give as- Garden Exhibition at Agnes Koller’s sistance during the day to those wanting help with their work. This arrangement proved to be very Muriel Watson was congratulated on becoming a helpful to the beginners in the group. member of the Town and Country Art club. The yearly exhibition for the previous year was The financial statement showed a healthy balance again held in Mrs. Kollers garden in November. of $119.19. The group had borrowed stands from the A.&P The profit of the Garden Exhibition was presented society to hang the paintings. Mrs Toshach had to Dr. Arthur Cotter and Mr.Warren Eaglesome of made scrim covers for the wire screens to show of The St.John”s Ambulance Association. The cheque the paintings to their best advantage. The profits of for $250.- was to go towards the fundraising for a the exhibition were again donated to the St Johns new ambulance at a cost of $36000.- and new Ambulance amounting to $250.- A second exhibi- stretchers costing $1500.- tion was held in the Borough Council Administra- The office bearers and committee members were tion building. elected unoposed for another year. The President reported that some offices in the Mr. Ron Mackie reported that the Art room at the town had asked for paintings for display, a pro- Rangiora High School was available on Wednes- gramme was drawn up so the pictures would be day afternoons if the group wished to make use of changed regularly. it. Mr. Denton suggested that the group consider Mrs. Rivers asked the committee if they would showing at the A&P Shows to widen exposure of consider having separate painting days for begin- the groups work in the North Canterbury Area. ners where they could get help with their paint- A suggestion was made that a prize be made avail- ing.Mr. Denton offered to show members how to able for an Art competition for High School Stu- prepare boards for painting and how to do fram- dents. This suggestion was to be discussed by the ing. committee. When the general busines was finished , Mr Bill Mr Geof Simpson showed an interesting selection Sutton gave a critique on seven paintings the mem- of slides of Japan, followed by slides of old houses bers had brought , discussing technique, composi- in North Canterbury and Nelson. tion and generally giving helpful advise. He also The programme for outside painting days for the showed some of his early paintings he had done in year were familiar areas such as, Cust, Ashley. Ox- Italy. ford Road, Summer Hill and Swannanoa. The The programme for the year included painting Group also planned to spend a Wednesday at Mr. days around the distict such as Oxford Road, Fern- Denton’s shop to learn how to prepare boards for side, , Okuku, Southbrook and Loburn. It painting and how to frame pictures. also included the annual Town and Country paint- The Group hosted the Town and Country Painting ing day which was held in the North Loburn Hall club at the North Loburn Hall in September. An interesting point in the notice of the painting Quotes: programme sent to members is the use of quotable quotes. The following appeared in the 1981 pro- “To be an artist you do not need to be a profes- gramme. sional painter or sculptor. What you must have is a

5 sensitive visual response and the ability to expres- sit sincerely.” 1984. A.G.M. held on Wednesday 29th February in “A person who works with his hands is a labourer. the staffroom of the Rangiora High School. 20 A person who works with his hands and head is an members and friends were present. artisan. The President ,Mrs. Joan Toshach reported on a A person who works with his hands, head and heart is very busy year. an artist.” In May the members were invited by the Thursday Group to a painting day at Riccarton House. The day was well attended and enjoyed by everyone. The A.G.M. for 1983 was held at The Rangiora High School on Wednesday the 16th of February. Tony Paviell, Kay Gunn and Doreen Jones had There were 28 people present. each offered a painting to be hung in the Family Health Counselling office. The President reported on a very busy year. Two exhibitions were held, one in the Gables shopping During the winter months the group had accepted centre at the beginning of the year, where members the offer of Mrs. Irene Bliss to tutor on Wednesday manned the exhibition for two days and the other afternoons, models were organised and the group in November in Mrs’ Kollers garden. had enjoyed six afternoons of valuable tuition. At this exhibition the group was joined by other The Group had participated in the Garden Clubs visual artists such as Jenny Robertshaw-models, Spring Exhibition on the 23rd and 24th of Septem- Lou Gower-Tongan basket work, Cecelia Forrest- ber. Craft and pottery and Mary Bartos- woodwork. Once again the Group hosted the Town and Coun- Others taking part were the Embroiderers, Spin- try Art Club, this time at the Coopers Creek Hall, a ners and Weavers and China painters. change from previous venues. The proceeds from the exhibition amounting to Our own exhibition was held on December the 4th $300.- were donated to the Rangiora High School in Mr. and Mrs. Kollers garden, 18 paintings were Stadium. sold. The proceeds of the day were donated to the A picture frame was donated to the Rangiora High Rangiora Nurse Maud Association. School Art Department instead of a prize which The president expressed her thanks on behalf of was suggested earlier. the Group to The High School for the use of the During the winter months the group again met in Arts Room. the Art room and this greatly benefited new mem- Mrs. Toshach reported that The Group would hold bers with help and supervision from more experi- a small Exhibition of local scenes in the Gables dur- enced members. ing Easter and just before to coincide with the Ran- The programme for the year was set out with visits giora High Schools’ Centennial celebrations. to, Pines Beach, Cust hall, Gillers on Gressons A request was received from the Rangiora Peace Road, buildings and trees at Beddis and Browns on Group for painters to participate in a display of West Belt. work in Victoria Park On the 17th of March 1984. An invitation was received from The Thursday Unfortunately the speaker for the evening had Group to its painting day at Riccarton House in mistaken the date of the A.G.M. and once again May. It was decided to accept the invitation and Mr. Ron Mackie stepped into the breach and gave notify the numbers attending closer to the day. the group a guided tour of the new senior students For the winter months it was decided to do figure study block. drawing or painting with a tutor At this A.G.M. Mrs. Agnes Koller resigned as Sec- After the general business Mr. Mackie showed two retary/Teasurer. Her resignation was accepted films entitled” Painting People” and “Australian with regret and Mrs. Toshach thanked her on be- Landscape Painters”. half of everyone for her dedication and enthusiastic commitment to the Group over the years. Mrs.

Enid Denton also spoke of the close liaison be- Quotes: tween the Amberley and Rangiora Groups during “In Art, progress lies not in an extension, but in a the time Agnes had been Secretary. knowledge of limitation”.Broque The programme for the first part of the year was “A painter paints to unload himself of feelings and vi- organised with painting days at The Rangiora High sions”. Picasso. School (the old building), The mouth of the Wai- makariri River at Karaki and the Okuku Bridge.

6 A “Potluck” dinner was organised for the 9th of local newspaper that did not deter the members of May at the Koller’s home and Michael Ebel would the public and a 50 cent admision fee resulted in a be the guest speaker on that date considering the healthy bank balance. mix up at the A.G.M. A cheque for $300.- was given to the Rangiora Li- brary for the purchase of art books, art books be- The 1985 A.G.M. was held on Thursday the 7th of longing to the Group were also donated to the Li- February in the Senior Studies Block at the Ran- brary. giora High School. After the business of the meeting Mr. Grant Ban- The president Mrs. Joan Toshach reported on a bury an art graduate from Canterbury University busy year. During the winter term the Group met showed slides and discussed the works of Doris in the Art room at the High school and during this Lusk. time Mrs. Irene Bliss had given four afternoons of Mr Banbury owns and operates the Campbell valuable tuition. Grant Gallery in Christchurch and teaches art at The exhibition in The Gables Gallery during Easter the Canterbury University. did very well and fourteen paintings had been Painting days for the rest of the year were organ- sold. The exhibition coincided with the Centenary ised with many familiar places but also new ones celebrations of the Rangiora High School. Origi- such as the Church, the Garry river and a nally it was planned to have the exhibition only for farm at the Makerikeri bridge. The Town and the period over Easter but it proved very popular Country painting day was held at the Sefton Hall. and was extended at the request of Mr. Bruce Phil- “All art is an imitation of nature” bricks the owner of the Arcade Gallery. “Art experiences can not be borrowed, it is something Southbrook resident and graphic artist Philip that comes from within yourself.” Young was commissioned by the Rangiora Art Bill Sutton: Former Art Lecturer. Group , with permission from the Rangiora High School Centennial Committee, to prepare two original prints for reproduction. These prints were 1986. Annual General Meeting held in the Senior for sale during the Centennial celebrations and at Study Room at the Rangiora High school on the 5th the exhibition in The Gables Arcade. Proceeds of of February. the sale of the prints were to go to the Rangiora The President welcomed 65 members and friends. High School . The financial report showed a healthy balance of At a committee meeting on the 26th of April 1984 it $739.23, proceeds from the yearly exhibition were was decided to hand the remaining prints over to $300.00. A donation of $350.00 was made to the the High school after discussion with the Principal Rangiora Cancer Support group. Mr. Colin Macintosh. Mr. Philip Young had pro- duced 2000 prints and his costs so far had been It was decided to increase the membership fee to $572.45. The sales of the prints up to that date had $3.00 per year. been $535.10. It was decided that it was more prac- The President thanked Mr. Mackie for the use of tical for the High School to handle further sales the Art room at the school during the winter- themselves. Mr. Young was still owed his fee for months, in reply Mr. Mackie said that there were the production of his art work and organising the going to be changes at the school and he would get printing, a figure of $335.-. The committee decided back to the Rangiora Art Group when the art room to review the financial situation in two months to would be available. see if there were sufficient funds to pay Mr. Young. Mrs. Verna Broughton presented Mrs. Joan To- The records of the subsequent committee meetings shach with a rose bush on behalf of the R.A.G. for do not mention resolution of the financial deficit the seven years of service as the President of the and subsequent payment to Mr. Young, but I pre- R.A.G. sume the Art Group made no further forays into the world of commerce The following were elected as office bearers and committee members . The committee also decided to make Agnes Koller a “life member” of the Rangiora Art Group in rec- President, Mr. Barry Jones, Vice President, Mrs. ognition of her commitment and service to the Muriel Watson, Secretary, Mrs Doreen Jones, Assis- Group. tant Secretary, Mrs. Paddy Wilkins. The Groups annual exhibition was held on the 25th Committee; Agnes Koller, Joan Toshach, Verna of November in the Koller’s garden, five paintings Broughton, Yulene Brady, Geoff Simpson and wee sold. The day was dull but according to the Tony Paviell.

7 Mr. John Roony showed two videos, one of oil It was suggested to hold an Autumn or Spring ex- painting and the other of watercolour techniques. hibition indoors this year, and to contact Roger The programme for the year was organised with Harper if the Art Room at the High School could be outside painting days at Springbank, an old Pot- used for the purpose. tery on No 3 Drain road, Coldstream Orchard and Joan Toshach offered to hold a competition much Salt Water Creek, like the one held two years ago with a prize of din- The winter term at The Rangiora High School Art ner for two. Room if it was available and from September Mr. Geoff Simpson gave a very interesting talk on painting days at , the his trip to England and Europe, he was thanked by mouth, a day “ figure drawing” at Joan Toshachs Muriel Watson and presented with a gift. house, The Town and Country day at Glentunnel, The Church and a day painting in Noelle Wyllie’s garden. The activities for 1987_1988. The annual Exhibition was planned for the 30th of The year started with a painting week-end at Han- rd th November. mer Springs from April 3 till the 5 . 22 members stayed at the Hanmer Springs Forest Camp and from the recorded committee meeting The activities for the year 1986 to 1987. was a huge success. The members were tutored on Annual General Meeting on the 5th of March in the the Saturday by Geoff Simpson and photographs senior Studies Room at The Rangiora High School. of the week-end show a very happy bunch of At the beginning of the meeting the President painters. asked those present to observe a minute silence in In May the group held its first indoor Exhibition in remembrance of Mr. Laurie Yesney who had the Dalgety’s store, it was very well received by the served as President from 1975_1979. public, and a record 30 paintings were sold. The There were 23 members and friends present . commission on the paintings more than covered the expense of using an indoor venue. The financial statement was presented and showed a balance of $330.00 after a donation of $250.00 to During the winter term The Group met at the Art the North Canterbury Mini Bus Appeal and a do- room at The Rangiora High School and Gordon nation of $350.00 to the Rangiora Cancer Support Sharpe Tutored for 4 painting days. Group. Joan Toshach arranged a “Still Life” competition The President reported that of all the outside paint- won by Muriel Watson. The prize was a dinner for ing days only one had to be cancelled because of two at The Balmoral. wet weather. The average attendance had been 14 The Annual Exhibition was held on the 22nd of No- and in the. vember,22 paintings were sold and the attendance winter term the average attendance had been 20 was over 450 people with 4 very successful tutored classes by Josie Jay. The Annual General Meeting was held in the sen- The Exhibition on the 30th of November in the ior studies room at The Rangiora High School, 29 Koller’s garden had been well attended but was members and friends attended. The financial state- washed out at the end of the day. 16 paintings ment was read and accepted, showing a healthy were sold. balance of $1166.41. The Secretary, Mrs Doreen Jones thanked the past The president reported on a very successful year President and Secretary for their support and guid- with the painting week-end in Hanmer Springs ance to the present office bearers. and the first indoor Autumn Exhibition. He thanked Mr. Mackie for his help in arranging the video and T.V, at the High School and Mr Gill Koller for auditing the books. It was decided that the secretary should receive a honorarium of $50.00 annually. Mr Geoff Simpson’s resignation from the commit- tee was accepted with regret and the president thanked him for his contribution over the years, A donation of $500.00 was made to the Rangiora I.H.C. and accepted on their behalf by Mrs. Moore. The election of officers was as follows; President – 8 Doreen Jones Barry Jones, Vice President-Muriel Watson, Secre- Mr. Agnes Koller presented a cheque of $750. - On tary-Doreen Jones, Assistant Secretary-Paddy Wil- behalf of the group to Mrs. Pam Noonan of The kins, Citizens Advice Bureau. Committee; Yulene Brady, Joan Toshach, Agnes Koller, Jean Booth, Russell Andrews, Rachel Dyer. Mr. John Rooney of “Brush and Palette” showed a video of charcoal and pastel drawing.

Activities for 1988_1989 The year started with an exhibition in the conserva- tory at The Gateway Restaurant in Woodend on February 23rd to the 25th,the exhibition was staffed by group members and 5 paintings were sold. During March, painting days were organised at the Kaiapoi Warf and at Loburn. Following the success of the previous year week- end outing another painting weekend was organ- It was proposed and seconded that the present offi- ised at Purau Bay to capture the autumn colours, cers and committee be re-elected. It was also pro- 15 members attended the weekend. True Bliss gave posed that the load of the secretary’s work be light- some very helpful instruction during the weekend. ened by appointing a treasurer. Rachel Dyer was During the winter term the group again had the appointed to the position. use of the art room at the Rangiora High School. It Mr. Murray Craighead then showed slides and seems from the committee meeting in August that gave an interesting talk on his recent trip to the Tony Coulter was the tutor during the term. Australian Outback. Other painting venues were at Sefton, Waikuku Quote: To be an artist, you do not need to be a pro- Beach, and the Mackie’s garden in George Street, fessional painter or sculptor. What you must have Horrelville, Woodend and the Inglewood Stud at is a sensitive visual response and the ability to ex- Ohoka. The Town and Country club were hosted at press it sincerely. the Glentunnel Hall in October. The garden exhibi- tion was planned for November the 27th. Activities for 1989_1990 The Annual General Meeting was held in the Sen- ior Studies room at the Rangiora High School on At the beginning of the year the group was asked the 15th 0f February 1989. 25 members and friends to give a painting demonstration to the residents of th attended. Holmwood Hospital on the 29 of March. A minute silence was observed in memory of Mr. The group also received a request from the Early Geoff Simpson, also remembered were Evelyn Records Society to show painting of local buildings Levy (member), Madge Denton and Lionel Jones and speak about their history at the E.R.S.’s th (both members partners). monthly meeting on the 18 of May. A small exhi- bition in the Arcade was planned for later in the Mrs Joan Toshach paid a formal tribute to Geoff year and it was decided that Bruce Philbrick Simpson and spoke of his contribution and help as should be recompensed for the use of his equip- a member, past president and committee member. ment. The financial statement was read and accepted The considerable cost of hiring stands for the an- showing a balance of $1485.19. nual exhibition was discussed and it was decided The President thanked the Auditor Mrs. Shirley that the group investigate the cost of making our Evans; he also thanked Mr. Gill Koller for auditing own. From later committee meeting minutes it ap- the books for the past 10 years and the use of the pears that Russell Andrews made the stands in his Koller’s garden. free time and the stands are still in use. The presi- It was suggested that another venue be found for dent expressed the groups thanks to Russell for his the November Exhibition as the garden exhibition mammoth effort and he was presented with a involved a lot of work for Mr. And Mrs. Koller. cheque to buy art supplies. The Arcade has asked that the group hold a dis- The programme for the year was organised with play of painting for a few days later in the year. painting days at Oxford, The Glenmark Homestead in Waipara, and a day at Sefton and at Joan To-

9 shach’s place on West Belt in Rangiora. was an evening meeting, starting at 4pm.. The winter term from 25th of May to 17th of August The next painting day was held at Kaiapoi, by the was spent in the new Art Room at the Rangiora motorway bridge on Addereley Terrace, next came High School. The group was fortunate to have Mr. a painting day at the Christchurch Botanical Gar- Gill Moore of Christchurch as tutor for four paint- dens and the last outdoor day was at the Loburn ing days teaching watercolours. Domain. In September, Nigel Buxton held a weekend work- During the winter months the Group met at the Art shop at the High school. Room at the Rangiora High School and worked on The Town and Country painting day was held in a mural. October in the Sefton Hall. There is no record to tell us who designed the mu- The group held another weekend painting at Purau ral and which members of the Group worked on it. Bay in October. There is no record in the minutes to The size of the mural was 5 metres by 0.5 metres, say how many members attended. and it was displayed at the Annual Exhibition. Other outdoor painting days were at Radcliff’s and At the beginning of the year it was suggested that Ashley. the Group have another weekend away painting. It was left to Paddy Wilkins to arrange. The annual Exhibition was held on the 26th of No- vember in the Chervier Centre and was well at- The Ashley Arts Council donated $300.- for tuition tended; the admission fee was raised to $1. -. As it which was used in the winter months to pay for rained on the day the group appreciated the ad- tutors. Mr. Bruce Harvey taught for 4 sessions as vantage of having an indoor venue. well as a weekend workshop. th The annual General Meeting was held in the Art The Annual Exhibition was held on Sunday the 25 Room at the Rangiora High School on the 12th of of November at the Chervier Centre. There were 50 February 1990. 33 members and friends attended. “ not for sale” paintings displayed and 140 paint- The balance sheet was read and confirmed show- ings for sale of which 17 were sold. ing a balance of $666.44. The president reported on a busy and successful year, with 10 outdoor paint- The Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday ing days and a rewarding winter term with mem- the 12th of February 1991 in the Senior Common bers enjoying the teaching of two excellent tutors, Room at the Rangiora High School. 29 people were Mr. Bill Moore and Mr. Nigel Buxton. Having the present. annual exhibition inside proved very successful and it was decided that the Chervier Centre would During the year 3 members of the Group passed be hired for the next exhibition. It was decided to away, Mr. Laurie Denton, Jane Sandiman and raise the subscription to $5 per annum, also that Doris Ferguson. A message of sympathy was sent that any subscription outstanding for two years to their families. would result in loss of membership. The financial report showed a balance of $1450.72. It was decided that the secretary’s honorarium be Mr. Hamish McKenzie was thanked for auditing raised to $75. - Per annum and reviewed at the next the books and for preparing the financial state- A.G.M. ment. The election of officers was as follows: President- A donation of $500. - was made to the Rangiora Barry Jones, Vice President- Muriel Watson, Secre- Training Institute. Mr. John Corney thanked the tary- Doreen Jones, Assistant secretary-Paddy Wil- Group and explained the work of the Institute in kins, Treasurer-Rachel Dyer, Committee- Agnes training people for employment. He was proud of Koller, Joan Toshach, Jean Booth, Yulene Brady, the fact that the Institute had the highest employ- Russell Andrew, Shona Robertson. ment placement nation wide, in fact three times the national average. Mr. John Rooney from the “Brush and Palette” showed a video on using a big brush in watercol- The President was pleased to report on another our successful year, with a number of enjoyable paint- ing days. The Group’s mural project was very well Quote:”In Art, progress lies not in extension, but in a received by those attending the annual exhibition knowledge of limitations” Broque. and Barry Jones had approached the Mayor to see if a suitable place could be found for the mural to Activities for 1990-1991 be displayed on a permanent basis. The outdoor painting days started in February The Council accepted the offer and the mural was with a visit to the Cust Christian Community. This hung in the foyer of the Coun-

10 cil office in Rangiora. The president thanked all Muriel Watson, on behalf of the members, pre- who helped with ideas and their talent in creating sented Doreen and Barry Jones with a gift in recog- the mural. nition of their work as secretary and president for The election of officers followed and Muriel Wat- several years. After the business proceedings Mr. son was elected president, Secretary; Russell An- Colin Mackintosh gave an interesting talk on his drews, Treasurer; Rachel Dyer, Committee; Joan painting experiences in New Zealand and overseas. Toshach, Agnes Koller, Yulene Brady, Jean Booth, He brought along several of his works. Paddy Wilkins, Shona Robertson, Gordon Baker Doreen Jones thanked Colin and presented him and Paul Smith. with a gift.

Prominent members from around this era Olga Purves Muriel Watson Rita McKay Paddy Wilkins Unknown Yulene Brady

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