History of the Cornwall Watercolour Society
The Cornwall Watercolour Society ( CWS ) was founded in 2005 by the artist John Blight who is based at the Camelford Gallery in North Cornwall.
John had become aware that, surprisingly, no organisation in the county existed for professional watercolour artists to meet up or arrange the exhibition of their paintings.
He had previously been a member of the Sussex Watercolour Society and suggested that an association be formed in Cornwall based on the constitution of his former society, to encourage contact between artists, and to showcase their work.
The first Meeting of interested artists was held at the Camelford Gallery on 16th January and the outcome was the election of ten founder members. John Blight – Chairman, Vaughn Warren – Vice Chairman, Sandy Blight – Treasurer, Melanie Camp – Secretary. Other members included, Jenny Brazier, Vonny Carter, Leighton Moss, Mike Moss, Bas Roscoe and Jacqueline Jarvis.
The main aim of the society was to celebrate the diverse use of watercolours and to promote this to other artists and the general public. The original ten members reflected this ambition. It included artists who were working within many genres including botanical illustration, commercial advertising and those exploring traditional or contemporary methodology, whether this be abstract, illustrative or conceptual. Two inaugural exhibitions took place during 2005. The first in may at John Blight’s Gallery in Camelford. The second in December at The Penzance Art Gallery which was owned by the then Vice Chairman,Vaughn Warren.
A debt of gratitude to John has long been recognised by the members, not only for providing a venue for a large number of exhibitions but also a dedicated space within his gallery for a permanent collection of their work. This not only promotes the society but encourages new members to apply. Over the years CWS has exhibited at many other venues throughout Cornwall, this often requires the good will and commitment of the members to organise and hang shows in places without the assistance of a resident curator. This is true of the exhibitions at The Rock Institute also the Castle Gallery in Bude and Crypt Gallery in St Ives.
Various ideas to engage with other creative groups were often discussed at meetings. In 2010 an opportunity arose with a three year heritage Lottery funded project to record the Great Trees of Cornwall. This was in conjunction with The Ancient Tree Forum and called for participants to record some of the County’s iconic trees. Fortuitously the Camelford Stanza Society were celebrating their centenary year and a collaboration with the artists was suggested by the Chair persons of the two societies – Helen Woods and John Blight. They proposed that paired painters and poets created both a new poem and a related painting. This culminated in a themed exhibition of paintings along with readings at the Camelford Gallery on 5th September. The exhibition was entitled Great Trees Of Cornwall.
In 2023 Richard Sharland, the owner of the Terre Verte Gallerry in Altarnun, invited the CWS to exhibit at his gallery during the November and December of that year. The exhibition curated by Richard was entitled ‘Pure’ and referenced the quality of water based pigments.
The Society has developed and grown over the years and four founders members remain active and exhibit with the society. These are – John Blight, Yvonne Dean, Mike Moss and Jacqueline Jarvis.
In July 2023 John Blight (Chair) and David Penhale (Vice Chair) stood down and Hilary Jean Gibson and Angela Herbert-Hodges were elected Chair and Vice Chair respectively, with Lisa Cooper as Treasurer and Nicky May as Secretary.
In January 2024 Hilary Jean Gibson and Angela Herbert-Hodges stood down, leaving the Society altogether. Nicky May (Secretary) also stood down but remained an active member.
John Sweeney and Jacqueline Jarvis were elected Chair and Vice Chair, with Karen Smith as Secretary and Lisa Cooper as Treasurer.
In June 2024 John Sweeney (Chair) called an Extraordinary General Meeting, which resulted in significant changes with the inauguration of the society’s first President, and Vice President, and the forming of a Society Council empowered to discuss and make decisions, meeting on a regular basis.
The council as formed in June 2024
John Sweeney President
Jacqueline Jarvis Vice-President
Karen Smith Secretary
Lisa Cooper Treasurer
Kerry Grant
Harriet Halstead
Mark Gibbons
