AMATEUR artists in and around Ellesmere are being offered a chance to take part in a local version of the popular TV series ‘Watercolour Challenge’ next month.
Competitors are being sought to take part in painting a picture of the landmark building which houses the town’s library at Our Space in Trimpley Street.
The invitation to ‘pitch your easel and enjoy a day’s painting’ is the idea of library manager, Sheila Williams, who has arranged for a former contestant on the programme to be one of the judges.
The event will be held from 9.30am on Tuesday, August 1 with gazebos set up to provide shelter for competitors in the grounds of the library, which is part of the wider Our Space community centre.
Sheila said: "After years of watching the delightful TV programmes, Watercolour Challenge with Hannah Gordon, then Fern Britton and now the Landscape Artist of the Year competition, I thought it would be great to host our own replica.
OTHER NEWS:
- This Oswestry shop is celebrating 45 years of co-operative trading
- Breakfast firm provides 1,900 personalised cups for staff at Oswestry hospital
- 'One of the highest properties in Wales' goes up for sale on Shropshire border
“Our building is in the former Ellesmere Cottage Hospital, an iconic building with its three large gable ends and quintessential architecture of the Arts and Crafts movement.
“It was built in 1906 with money donated by Louisa Jebb, a member of the social-reforming Jebb family and aunt to Eglantyne Jebb and her sister Dorothy, who founded the Save the Children charity.
“The judges for the competition will be local artists Trudi Graham, Pam Bowen and Rosie Rees, who was actually a contestant on the first series of Watercolour Challenge.
“We hope to attract local artists who enjoy a new challenge.
“They are invited to bring their own easel, materials and paper and use any medium of their choice, watercolour, acrylic, pastels or ink.
“Variety will make for an interesting combination for the judges to choose from.
Make sure you don't miss out on any of our news, sports and features. You'll see fewer adverts and enjoy great high street offers too. Just click here for your Oswestry Advertizer digital subscription.
“We will be painting under gazebos though if we have very heavy rain forecast we will postpone the event until Friday, August 4."
The entry fee is £12, to include lunch, or £6 for those bringing their own food. Prizes will be awarded for the top three paintings.
Please book by contacting Our Space on 01691-622584 or emailing ellesmere.library@shropshire.gov.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here