Summer 2024

Castor and Ailsworth Society of Art (CASA) held an open painting day and exhibition as part of the celebrations for the 900th anniversary of St Kyneburgha’s Church.

All were welcome to come and create a work of art on the theme of “In and Around the Church”, to create a record of St Kyneburgha’s at 900.

Old and young, experienced artists and beginners turned out over the weekend of 22-23 June, and fortunately the weather was on their side. Some drew or painted a view of the whole church, while others concentrated on some of the details of the architecture or village life. In addition, several CASA members spent the preceding few weeks drawing and painting the church inside and out, and Castor School children worked on their own artworks on the same theme.

The following weekend, the artworks were put on display in an exhibition at the church, and several were available to buy through a silent auction to raise money for the church.

The exhibition then moved to the Cedar Centre, alongside our usual summer exhibition. We had a steady stream of visitors throughout the weekend, with several artworks sold, and Jean Edwards taking the public vote for the best picture.

We changed our programme of professional artists this year, with a number of demonstrations given alongside our Monday morning sessions. Sally Hammerton visited us in April to show us acrylic inks and mixed media. In May, Andrea Naylor presented a workshop where members created a picture of a hare in pastels. Peter Barker showed us a classical oil painting of the River Nene in September, and the ever-popular Amanda Jackson introduced us to abstract art, with a paint-along session in October.

We will shortly be starting work on our programme for summer 2025, which will appear on the Calendar page of the website.