ART AT HERTFORD CASTLE – The Mayor’s Portrait

One of the highlights of the Autumn sessions each year, is the opportunity for Members to draw and paint the Mayor of Hertford. Cllr. David Poole carried on this tradition by sitting for his portrait at the beginning of November 2009.

Cllr. Poole with paintings of himself by Members of the Hertford Art Society

On a very frosty evening in January 2010 the resulting paintings and drawings were displayed, at the invitation of Cllr. Poole, in the sumptuous surroundings of the Downshire Suite at Hertford Castle.

Portrait by Ray Ward which won 2nd place in the Members Critique for January

Members enjoyed the hospitality of the Town Council as Cllr. and Mrs Poole, together with several other Councillors, viewed 10 paintings which looked splendid in this formal setting. Paintings of previous Mayors and dignitaries grace the walls of the Castle and Cllr. Poole was most impressed by the work that had been done by the artists in the very short time available and the way that many had captured a good likeness and rendered his formal robes so realistically.

2009 Members’ Show

'Knockout!' so wrote a visitor in the book. Echoed by very many other visitors, the high standard and quality of work was outstanding. 68 members submitted framed paintings, work for the browser and greetings cards. Artworks ranged from exquisite botanical illustrations, figurative images, glorious landscapes and seascapes to abstracts which engaged the imagination. Set in the centre of Hertford, the show attracted hundreds of visitors over the weekend of 30th October to 1st November and, as an annual event, is one of the highlights in Hertford’s calendar.

Karen Murray, Winner of Visitor's Choice, receives prize from
Rod Lewis of Hertfordshire Graphics

The John Godden Award for the best in Show chosen by the Members
"In the corner" by Sandra Edney Lynch

The Visitors' Choice Award 
"Gooseberries" by Karen Murray

The May Bennett Award for the best Still Life
"Still Life" by Valentin Bezditko

Click here for the more details.

Waters Mural – The Society paints big…

… 18 metres long by 3 metres high to be exact. This was the size of the task that Hertford Art Society accepted when invited by Hertford Town Council and Hertford Civic Society to paint over part of the old Waters Garage hoardings.

Marie Goldsmith, Brenda Reid,  Pauline Dulin, Margo Ward, Sue Sanders, Yve Macartney, Geoff Bennett – Gillian Harman (not pictured) also worked on the mural

A landscape of Hertford was suggested and a panorama of Kingsmead and the River Lea was designed. The mural highlights the wildlife and activities of the river and towpath thus illustrating the importance of a Hertford asset that few recognise.

Over two months from the end of August this year a group of members volunteered their time to complete the mural. Numerous passers-by stopped to commend the work. Some took photographs of the mural and members painting. Lorry drivers hooted their horns and gave the thumbs-up as they drove past. We received congratulatory emails from Councillors, the Civic Society and the Town Clerk and The Hertfordshire Mercury twice reported on progress with photos in the local newspaper. A Hertford Forum website covered the topic with several comments from viewers – both good and bad. We definitely put Hertford Art Society on the map.

The result is not quite a Banksi effort and the style is naive but it definitely improves the previously brown wooden boards and cheers up the town. We are grateful to the Town Council for funding this project and all involved thoroughly enjoyed painting BIG.