Lodge Artists, Chorley celebrated their 40th anniversary with a preview of their latest exhibition of around 70 original paintings in the Activity Space in Astley Park last Friday evening (30th November). Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the awards and was delighted to hear from judge Nikki Taylor, Head of Runshaw Visual Arts, that she had selected ‘Chorley Markets’ by George Horsfield for the top award ‘Best in Show’. The Council had already expressed an interest in acquiring a print of the painting to display in the market area and prints are available to buy from George’s Facebook page. Nikki said it had captured the spirit of the market and the detail was fascinating and true to life.
Nikki announced that the winners of the best pastel was ‘Warlord’ by Kev Fowler, who also won a Highly Commended for his acrylic ‘Down by the River’. Best Wildlife was won by Graham Sutch for ‘Standoff in the Negorongoro’ and further Highly Commended awards were won by Val Jones, ‘A Gap in the Wall’, Pauline Collins ‘Winter Trees’, Patsy Todd ‘Walking to Winter’, Judith Herring, ‘Whitby’ and Rod Walmsley, ‘Shady Lane’. A special ‘Runshaw Gold Award’ was won by June Crawford.
The exhibition runs throughout December and opening times will be Thursday, Friday 12noon – 4pm and weekends 10am – 4pm. Admission is free and paintings are for sale at very reasonable prices. There is also a selection of greetings cards featuring members’ paintings for sale in support of St. Catherine’s Hospice.
During the exhibition visitors are invited to vote for another award the ‘People’s Choice’ and members to choose their favourite painting for the ‘Members’ Choice’ award. These winners will be announced after the exhibition has closed.
