This year the ‘Summer Exhibition of Paintings’ hosted by Tenby and District Arts Club will be held at St. Johns Church Hall, from Friday - August 3 to 17.

Following many years of the exhibition being masterminded by Jackie Barnett, Carol Brinton-Thomas, a well known potter and artist and Chairperson of the Arts Club has taken on the mantle as organizer this year. The exhibition is well supported by numerous artists with approximately 80 pictures being displayed.

Tenby & District Arts Club has been in existence since 1947. On October 29th 1947 a public meeting was held of 80 people at the Old Town Hall, Tenby to explore the local interest in forming an Arts Club in the town. Sir Huw Weldon , then Major Huw Weldon in his capacity as Director of The Arts Council of Wales led the meeting The aim was to ‘bring the arts to the public in small communities ‘ by forming a local society which would enable cultural activities in Tenby to develop under one national body; The Arts Council Of Wales ’ On December 5th 1947 the inaugural meeting was held in ‘The Peerless Restaurant,’ Tenby with a 100 people present.

Regular meetings were organised to include music, drama, fine and graphic art. Apart from the executive committee, sub committees were formed: Fine Arts under the artist Dorothy Morse-Brown who started a sketch club and held classes in drawing and water colour painting., a play reading circle, drama section (which eventually separated from the club and became the legendary ‘Tenby Players’), a gramophone club, a photographic section and in conjunction with Greenhill Grammar School a string orchestra was formed by the first chairman Wilfred Harrison. In the early years the various sections of the club were fortunate to host exhibitions of noted artists; Shakespearean and other plays were performed by members, (Dylan Thomas visited The Arts Club in October1953 to read his unpublished ’Under Milk Wood.’) and also well known international musicians, national and local performed .

It would seem, Tenby and District Arts Club is the only surviving Arts Club in Wales. It has fluctuated between a membership of 90 to70 over the decades. Weekly Friday meetings are held at St. Johns Church Hall, Tenby between October and March.

The club is self supporting and is no longer part of The Arts Council of Wales which withdrew its sponsorship many years ago.

The original ethos of the club continues to exist with weekly events covering a variety of the arts; musical events with performances from choirs, soloists, classical, jazz, and folk musicians , drama and literary events; including visiting drama groups, poets, authors, storytellers. Although the photographic section eventually became an independent club, some of the weekly meetings enjoy a variety of photographic images, from both professionals and enthusiasts, The Art section holds a weekly portrait group; meeting each Monday morning at Tenby Library. During the years members have enjoyed guest speakers discussing and demonstrating various aspects of painting techniques, historical aspects of art wood turning, spinning, weaving, embroidery and architecture.

Since the 1950s local artists who are members of the club have displayed and sold their paintings and drawings at an annual Art Exhibition. open to the public. The overriding feature of the early years was that an opportunity was afforded to artists with a variety of skills to showcase their work publicly and also receive the support of their more experienced peer group.

Last year the club celebrated its 70th anniversary with a dinner at The Giltar Hotel, Tenby with many past chair people and members present. The guest speaker was Guy Morse Brown son of Dorothy Morse Brown; one of the founders; also present were Anna Harrison(nee Harrison) and Dr. John Harrison, daughter and son of the first chair, Wilfred Harrison. Tenby and District Arts Club supports and embraces all aspects of the arts. It is proud that it is one of the oldest clubs in the town.

Its membership is open to all, who appreciate and enjoy the performing and creative arts.