Welcome to the Somerton Group of Artists.
Are you interested in art? Why not join us!
Here you will find a very friendly local artists group from Somerton and the surrounding areas, Somerset, UK. We welcome all new members who are interested in art. You don’t even have to be a painter yourself to get involved – you may just want to meet other people with the same interests. We are well established and have around 60 members of all ages and abilities.
We hold a year round programme of talks and demonstrations by professional artists with occasional day-long workshops. We have ‘painting together’ sessions and outside painting and sketching sessions in the summer. These are usually held with somewhere for lunch or tea nearby! In the winter, some members also meet weekly to paint together every Tuesday morning from 10am. to 12pm.
We hold an annual exhibition of our work, and all members are invited to participate.
If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact us for a chat or just turn up to one of our events or sessions. You will be made very welcome!
Jill Preston Talk- A Painters Progress
This Wednesday at our monthly evening meeting ,we enjoyed a talk by local Artist Jill Preston , about her life and journey in Art.
Despite having a love of art from an early age, Jill was obliged to take up a (nevertheless successful )career in education, teaching in diverse communities both large and small, city and country, achieving deputy headship, and was invited to head up a government initiative looking into inequality in schools.
It was not until retirement ,that she was able to finally realise her lifelong dream and devote her enquiring and creative mind to Art. “I am my paintings and my paintings are me “is how she describes this time of her life.
Her work is diverse, as she continually explores her ideas. Early subjects were of Sea scapes and Harbours and reflections ,in both acrylic and watercolour. Here she was absorbed by lines and geometry, before moving to freer more impressionistic work, featuring Figures,Jazz, Pets,and Humour.
Her most recent work is inspired by moods and feelings inspired by poetry ,and has become more abstract. Her final advice to us was a heartfelt “Enjoy your work”.
Her work can be seen online, https://www.artgallerysw.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopkQQi0kTtLmvnBT4nFJj5V5JQy1_OXvZZcrC3qp4P1VqdNqtVG and she regularly exhibits in Somerset Art Weeks each September.
Wednesday 9th July, 2025 outdoor painting
Life Drawing
Coming in July- see Future workshops
Painting in inks with Margaret Micklewright
Workshop 9th August- see future workshops