Art in Sandymount - “Early Days”
This record was written by Joan Keogh, Club member - 14th of March 1984. Dublin Art Society was originally named ‘Dublin Art Club’
Sandymount, back in 1960. must have been even more "old world" and charming than it is twenty four years later, with it’s remaining quaint shops in places and it’s tiny “Green”.
Housed at the side of the Methodist Church facing this Green and in the Church Hall, lies the home of the Dublin Art Club.
Fittingly and in keeping with the aura of the district, this Club was co-founded by a very charming, old world lady of the time - Miss Dorothy Armstrong - who later, was to give unstintingly of her time and energies to make the Club a success.
Originally, the Club was the brain child of Kenneth Webb, who runs the Irish School of Landscape Painting and is himself a true Professional.
Together, he and Dorothy, launched this project, with an initial membership of about 20 dedicated amateur artists. A tiny committee was formed, Dr. Michael Bastible taking the helm as President, Dorothy acting as Hon. Secretary, while Chris Reid and possibly one or two more made up the body.
Thus, a Club was born, which has since gone from strength to strength, both in it's membership and the standard of it's artistic productions.
It was some seven years later, or thereabouts, that I knocked, and eventually gained admittance, to this august body, but I well remember the early days and the happy times that were had by all.
When I arrived on the scene, membership had swelled somewhat, but was still relatively small and intimate.
Those attending, did so regularly and there was a happy, friendly atmosphere about the place. Dorothy, who lived locally, was a rock of strength. Every Saturday without fail, she opened the Club for members, always having the room well heated and welcoming, with the chink of tea cups in the background ready for the 4. pm.,"tea break" which she insisted on - promptly - come hell or high water, regardless of what distinguished visiting tutor was in attendance.
Sadly, we lost Dorothy some years ago when the good Lord called her to better things. No doubt she is still quietly organising the tea cups in the realms above! But she is greatly missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing her and it is only right that mention should be made of her attributes here, both as a memento and enlightenment for future members.
Dr. Michael Bastible also, who was a gentle, lovable person and a uniquely "primitive" artist, has also gone to his reward and has been missed by many.
In those early days, Kenneth Webb travelled from his home in Northern Ireland, to give tutorials every second Saturday - and we really worked hard then.
We had demonstrations and a criticism of works brought along, all afternoon.
Then we broke for one hour at 6pm. for tea; those who lived near enough to do so, going home, while those of us from farther afield made tea in the kitchen and eat whatever food we had brought, amidst much chat, in the Club Room.
In later years Clare Cryan joined Kenneth or alternated with him in giving us tutorials. This came to an end when Clare established her own School and Kenneth took on other commitments. Nowadays, tutorials are only given in the afternoons and it is up to each individual member whether or not he/she remains on to paint afterwards.
Time moves on, things change … people change … and like it or not, we must move on with them.
For some of us, many changes at the Club are sad, but despite that, it is a fact that there have been many improvements for the better, mainly due to the hard work of subsequent committee members, who have upheld the standards and ideals of Dorothy Armstrong and improved on them, in the last 24 years.
Now, on the brink of their 25th Anniversary, with a quarter of a century's experience behind them, I think all those committee members can be justly proud of their efforts.
Club Rules have been up-dated, Exhibition standards vastly improved - mainly due to the efforts of Carmel Mooney during her term of office - and the Club's finances put in order and sorted out, initially, by our very able and long serving Treasurer - Rosemary Smyth, followed by an equally able Maura Doran who served a recent term as Treasurer before relinquishing the reins to presently officiating members. Other members have made equally important contributions and continue to do so through the present acting committee. All of which is now adequately recorded in the Minutes of the Club.
For my part, I have felt that these few words should be written, to bridge the gap between the "Early Days" and now, at the commencement of what we hope, will be an informative and interesting record of the Club for future generations of budding artists.
Dorothy Leach has kindly donated the press cuttings which go to form the first part of this record and it is hoped that other members will add anecdotes as time goes on. Special achievements of members will be noted and press cuttings of the Annual and other Exhibitions preserved. Some of Dorothy Leach's press cuttings will fill the gaps information-wise in what I have written, and the interview with Dorothy Armstrong which I have included from a press cutting of my own, will help form a picture for future members, of the gentle lady to whom the Club owes so much.