Winter is upon us and the new GREE 7.5 Kw heat pump has been installed by Lindsay at Quality Air. The life drawing models thank us for the extra heat in these cold months. I highly recommend Lindsay (phone 021-340-434) if you need a service or want to install an efficient heating system.

The Annual General Meeting was well attended in April. The present office holders were re-elected and we welcome Christine Strang and Jerry Hewitt to the committee.

We enjoyed healthy sales at Malvina Major Village ART EXPO, Khandallah in June selling 23 framed paintings and many unframed works, cards and prints with $1,597 profit for the club. The raffle was donated by Robyn Eastgate Manning and raised $356. New committee member Christine Strang organised a People’s Choice Award for favourite artist to engage visitors. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped set up and run the exhibition. Special thanks to Graham and Linda for the use of their van to transport the stands and equipment.

Now that the renovations are almost finished there is the exacting business of reporting. Each of our generous funding bodies must have accountability for all expenses and this has been keeping the committee busy.

Members and visitors are enjoying the new doorway at the front of the building and we hope it makes the club more visible and accessible to the public.

Weekly groups are popular and workshops continue. Roger Key continues to teach each Tuesday 7-9pm for the rest of the year. Thursday Art with Charlotte filled the rooms with painters again in June and bookings for August are open.

Places are available in the Papermaking workshop using native plants on 13 July. Come along and learn this intriguing process with expert science educator Rob Kennedy.

Miranda Munro has a Transformative Art Workshop “Take Heart” on 20 July – see our website for more details. Andrew James is teaching a Watercolour Still Life on 3/4 August.

There is a MAKERS MARKET on 10 am – 3pm Saturday 6 July followed by another on Saturday 20 July. Please come along and support the open day this weekend.

Thanks to Past President Judy Langham and her dog Teddy boy who sat for Friday Portrait group in May, then committee member Judy Kelsey in June. The Portrait group is always looking for fresh faces to sit for us – please volunteer.

Stay warm and carry on painting.

Regards Charlotte