In 1972 a two year, part-time Diploma course was instigated at the Mid-Warwickshire College of Further Education. This course consisted of painting, drawing, art history and printing, so that by 1974 students were emerging as enthusiastic contemporary painters.
Bruhl in Germany, the twin town of Leamington, sent an invitation for an art exhibition from Leamington to be part of their anniversary celebrations in March 1985. As a result of this successful event, ‘Image 85’ in Bruhl, an inaugural meeting of fourteen of the exhibitors founded the Leamington Artists.
The first open exhibition was held at Leamington Art Gallery in 1987. Since then members have held exhibitions at many venues throughout the Midlands. Several painters have had private and public commissions
An art week called ‘Art on the Move’ was held in 1992 and was run with great enthusiasm. Some artists opened their own studios to the public, exhibitions were held in shops, garage showrooms and at the old fire station. We even had ‘Art on the Railings’ in the Jephson Gardens.
During 1993 discussions were held with the Coventry and Warwickshire Society to hold a Biennial Exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry. This led to similar open exhibitions in 1995, 1997 and 1999.
Artists from West Midlands, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire became members so the group name was changed to the Association of Midland Artists (1994).
A programme of monthly talks began in 1996 at one member’s house. Numbers increased, so the venue was changed to the Earl of Smith Gallery. When this gallery closed we moved to the Satchwell Room, Leamington Baptist Church.
In 1997, we managed to obtain a small lottery grant and ran a summer school for two weeks with ‘A’ level students from local schools and other interested people.
We now have 88 members. We have had prizewinners at national open exhibitions, two members becoming Academicians at Manchester, and many members having work accepted at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, West of England Open, Cheltenham and Cleveland Open Drawing Exhibitions.
Members receive a bi-monthly Newsletter and this year we are proud to launch our website to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the inauguratioon of the AMA.
Thank you to all those who have worked so hard over the years to establish the AMA and for keeping it running so well.