September heralds the start of a new academic year for those in full time education. For the rest of us, opportunities abound for a host of exciting part- time courses in 'Life-Long' education - not least in the field of art.
Which ever corner of the county is yours, a Community Learning Centre somewhere close by will be offering inspiration and expert tuition for aspiring artists. Centres in Tenby, Pembroke, Narberth and Crymych offer, between them, classes in watercolours, life-drawing, oils and acrylics, paper-making and art in textiles; and if you can't make the commitment to attend on a regular weekly basis, there are also several one-day workshops scheduled into this year's programme. You may ask what has any of this got to do with Colby Gallery? The answer is 'The Tutor's Exhibition,' when the Small Gallery offers space for four local art tutors to hang up their wares for public scrutiny.
Nailing their colours to the mast will be Graham Hadlow (watercolours, Tenby, Manorbier and Pembroke); Becki Brinton (life-drawing, mixed media, oils and acrylics, Tenby and Crymych); Claire Phasuntia (textiles, Tenby and Pembroke Dock) and Joy Dee (Art for All, Pembroke Dock).
You would be hard-pressed to find four artists offering such diversity of style, technique and subject matter all under one roof.
Graham Hadlow is a regular exhibitor at Colby, and is well-known throughout the county for his watercolour workshops, including his three annual ones at Colby. Rebecca Brinton , also a Colby 'regular' has taught life-drawing and oils and acrylics at Tenby and Narberth for many years.
Since moving recently to Mynachlogddu, she is also offering life-drawing at Crymych, and in addition, plans to hold painting days from her new home in the idyllic surroundings of the Preseli Hills.
Next in the line-up is Claire Phasuntia who worked for several top fashion designers before moving westwards, and is now making a name for herself with her one-day workshops in Tenby and Pembroke, covering stitching, paper-making, buttons and the use of recycled materials - to name a few.
Last, but not least is Joy Dee, who teaches Art for All at Pembroke. She laughingly says that she's a 'retired teacher teaching the retired,' but all ages and abilities will be assured of a warm welcome to her Monday morning classes in the new Albion Square Centre at Pembroke Dock.
Be warned, however, this is a selling exhibition, and whilst it serves as a useful promotional exercise, you may also be tempted beyond endurance to purchase a beautiful piece of original work to take home with you. Alternatively, you can sign up for lessons and paint your own masterpiece to hang on the wall.
The exhibition starts on Monday, September 18 (conveniently allowing time to check out the student's exhibition held in the Tenby Community Centre the previous week!), and runs until October 8, 10 am to 5 pm daily, along with the National Trust woodland gardens, shop and tearooms. NB. Bookings now being taken for the Lunch and Lecture, 'The History of Glass' on Friday, October 20. Enquiries, please ring the gallery on 814200.