Derby Sketching Club facts for kids
The Derby Sketching Club is a special group for artists in Derby, England. It started way back in 1887 and still meets today in Mickleover. This club helps people who love to draw and paint meet up, share ideas, and get creative together. It's a friendly place for artists to learn and grow. Some of the first members included F. Booty, Alfred John Keene, and William Swindell.
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How the Club Started
In 1887, a group of young men in Derby had an idea. They wanted a place where they could all work on their art and share their drawings and paintings. So, they met at the County Hotel and created the Derby Sketching Club. Their very first art show happened in January 1889, where they proudly displayed their work.
For many years, the club was just for men. Then, in 1922, a separate group called the Derby Ladies Art Group was formed. These two art groups worked separately for a long time. It wasn't until 1951 that they held their first joint art exhibition together. Finally, in 1966, the two groups decided to join forces and became one big club.
A famous art collector named Alfred E. Goodey loved the work of the Derby Sketching Club members. In the 1940s, he collected many of their artworks and gave them to the Derby Museum and Art Gallery. This means you can still see some of their amazing art there today!
What the Club Does Now
The Derby Sketching Club is still very active and busy today. Members often meet for different kinds of art sessions:
- Life Drawing: Drawing people from real life.
- Portrait Painting: Focusing on painting faces.
- Still Life: Drawing or painting objects arranged together.
The club also invites special guest artists to give talks and show how they create their art. This helps members learn new techniques and get inspired.
Art Outings and Exhibitions
Members have many chances to sketch and draw outside the club's main meetings. They often visit the Derby Museum and Art Gallery or the Derby Museum of Making for weekly sketching sessions. During the summer, the club organizes fun outings to different places in Derbyshire, where members can sketch outdoors. They also arrange trips to big art exhibitions across the UK.
Every year, the club holds a special art show at Markeaton Park Craft Village. This is a chance for members to display their best work, and a special trophy is given to an outstanding artist. Members can also share their artwork online through the club's website.
Other Well-Known Members
Over the years, many talented artists have been part of the Derby Sketching Club. Some other notable members include Ernest Townsend, R. W. Bardill, Harold Gresley, J. P. Wale, and Andrew McCara.
