Sad to lose exhibition space

An art club will be left searching for a new exhibition venue when Newark’s Gilstrap Centre closes.

Newark Art Club members have been displaying their paintings in the centre on Castlegate for about seven years, but an exhibition this weekend looks like it could be their last.

Mr Peter Cook, of Hatton Gardens, has been a member for ten years.

“We do have an exhibition booked for March 31 next year but I have a feeling we won’t be able to do that,” he said.

“This exhibition is just two days so it will be short and sweet. We would like as many people as possible to come and support it.”

Mrs Valerie Woolley, of Valley Prospect, who joined the art club in the summer, said the centre would be sorely missed by members.

“It is in a town-centre location so people who were out shopping could call in and have a look around,” she said.

“It is a perfect set-up for an exhibition as well.”

Mr Cook said: “In the summer people could come pouring in from the castle gardens. We sometimes had month-long exhibitions here.

“We will miss having it and it could be that we are the last group to exhibit here. We will have to try to start a new era.”

The group has around 65 members and holds two or three exhibitions a year.

The club meets weekly at The Grove School’s Lilley and Stone site on London Road.

It has held displays there and in town-centre shops, and Mr Cook said they may have to look at doing more of that.

Their final Gilstrap exhibition is open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

A wide array of pictures including pastels, acrylics, watercolours, landscapes and portraits will be on display.

Work will be available to buy.