Painting for Pleasure exhibits as part of Warwickshire Open Studios

 

Thanks to funding from the Coventry Building Society Small Fund, Painting for Pleasure is excited to take part in Warwickshire Open Studios for the very first time.

The funding has enabled us to invest in materials, deliver a cyanotype workshop, and provide creative activities that benefit all our members, supporting our aim to make art accessible, enjoyable, and inspiring for everyone involved.

Our exhibition theme is Floral, featuring a colourful collection of paintings alongside cyanotypes — one of the earliest photographic printing techniques, which uses sunshine to develop striking blue-toned images.

We will be exhibiting at The Gallery at the Dentists as part of the Leamington Trail. The venue is located opposite St Paul's Church.

Exhibition Details

• Venue: The Gallery at the Dentists, 20 Leicester Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4TD
• Exhibition Area: Reception and hallway
• Opening Times: 9am–1pm and 2pm–5pm daily
• Closed: Saturdays and Sundays
• Accessibility: Please note there are steps up to the venue.

We warmly invite visitors to come along, enjoy the exhibition, and discover the beautiful floral-inspired work created by our members.

Compton Verney Trip

Our recent Painting for Pleasure class outing to Compton Verney proved to be a truly inspiring day, filled with art, conversation, and shared discovery. We arrived just in time to join a fascinating guided talk on a remarkable exhibition exploring Dutch and Flemish drawing.

Featuring over 60 works from the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium - many never before seen in the UK - the exhibition offered a rare glimpse into the creative processes of 16th and 17th century masters. Artists such as Bruegel, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Jordaens revealed the power of drawing not just as preparation, but as storytelling in its own right. Using charcoal, ink, and chalk, they captured scenes rich with beauty, struggle, and imagination during a time of immense social, political, and religious change.

One of the highlights was Bruegel’s Prudence, a striking and intricate work from his celebrated Seven Virtues series. As we looked closely, it became clear that these drawings were more than technical exercises—they were windows into a changing world, blending observation with imagination in compelling and unexpected ways.

After the talk, we enjoyed a relaxed lunch together before splitting into smaller groups to explore the galleries at our own pace. The Folk Art galleries were a particular favourite, with several members captivated by the character and charm of the works on display.

This enriching trip was made possible as part of our grant from The Coventry Building Society Small Fund, and it offered not only artistic inspiration but also a wonderful opportunity to connect and share our love of art beyond the classroom.

Painting for Pleasure Awarded £1,780 Grant

 We are delighted to share some fantastic news with our members and wider community!

Painting for Pleasure has successfully secured a grant of £1,780 from the Coventry Building Society Small Fund. This generous award will support the continued growth and development of our group, helping us to expand opportunities for creativity, learning, and connection through art.

We are incredibly grateful for this funding, which will enable us to take part in Warwickshire Open Studios for the first time,  invest in materials, a cyantype workshop, and activities that benefit all our members. It also strengthens our mission to make art accessible, enjoyable, and inspiring for everyone involved.

Thank you to Coventry Building Society for recognising the value of community art groups like ours, and to all our members for your ongoing enthusiasm and support.

We look forward to sharing updates on how this funding will be used in the coming months!