Dunmow Art Group
Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, you're warmly invited to join our friendly and creative community.
At Dunmow Art Group, we believe art is for everyone – it's about expression, exploration and enjoyment.
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Come along to meet like-minded people, share ideas, learn new skills and most importantly – have fun creating! We run regular sessions, workshops and exhibitions designed to inspire and encourage artists of all levels.
Join us as we explore new creative projects, share inspiring artwork, and connect with fellow artists. Don't forget to check our schedule for upcoming classes and events.
Weekly Update
Dunmow Art Group was joined by our very own Stephen Abbott, who introduced us to the basics of hatching and crosshatching.
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After some practise, we started to look at various shapes/forms, identifying the different shades we could see and then applied our new crosshatching knowledge to create the tonal values.
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Stephen is with us for the next three weeks, guiding us to the portrait stage. If you missed today’s class, you can still come along for the remaining weeks.
Previous Work
Sheila Martin's visit
Julie Arnall and her lovely model, Helen visited us for a life drawing session.
Jannetta Sosin taught us various techniques in silk painting.
About Us
The Dunmow Art Group was founded in 1971 by a group of local people interested in painting and drawing. Membership is open to all persons interested in art.
The group has held an annual Exhibition and Sale of members’ work since 1975. We now exhibit twice a year at our Spring and Autumn Exhibitions. We organise weekly (term time only) painting and drawing sessions/workshops and monthly talks and demonstrations.
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During the summer, arrangements are made for outdoor painting and drawing at various locations, some not open to the public.
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The meetings are usually held in E.T.Foakes Memorial Hall, Stortford Road, Great Dunmow, CM6 1DG (opposite Foakes House, the Dunmow Town Council office) These events are organised by a committee elected at the Annual General Meeting.
Meet the Committee
Members of the Dunmow Art Group Committee and their roles
Service Options
From 1 British pound- From 1 British pound
Upcoming Events
History of Dunmow Art Group
Our beginnings
It was at an Evening Class where Cyril Deakins was tutor, that the idea of a Dunmow Art Group (DAG) was first proposed and the inaugural meeting took place on 11 September 1971 at the home of Mrs Helena Romanes. The first committee elected was: Cyril Deakins (Chairman,) Alan Hughes (Secretary), Molly Johnson (Treasurer), David Helme, Nancy Blyth and Ann McLurg. In 1991 Cyril Deakins retired as DAG Chairman after 20 years and was succeeded by John Woodrow (91-93), Jan Faithfull (93-94), Tom Deakins (94-97), Philippa Thomas (97-02), Eileen Bell (02-06), Sydney Smith (06-14), Barrie Sumpton (15-18), Chris Runacres (18-21) and Audrey McNeill (21- present).
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Meetings were initially held in the homes of members, but by 1983 they had moved to the Talberd Room. In the early years, the number of Members was limited by a selection process based on paintings submitted by those wishing to join. There was also a restricted number of Associates with limited participation. By 2003, the number of founding members had declined and new applicants were discouraged by the selection process so that overall numbers were falling. Selection was therefore discontinued and there is now only one grade of membership with full participation in the Group’s activities open to anyone interested.
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Serving the local community
In 1978 members painted a mural, designed by Alan Hughes, in the Talberd Room. By 2008 it was showing signs of wear so the painting was restored to its original condition by DAG members under the direction of Tom Deakins. For the millennium, DAG was again invited by the Town Council to paint a mural, this time for the Dourdan Pavilion on the Recreation Ground. It takes the form of a demountable panel, designed by Cyril Deakins and painted by members of the Group, depicting scenes from Great Dunmow and its twin town of Dourdan.
DAG is now a flourishing Group of about 50 members, some professional artists but mostly enthusiastic amateurs, from across the county but centred on Great Dunmow.
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If you would like to join us, please visit the membership page or contact info@dunmowartgroup.org
Membership
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Membership is £45 a year, payable in September.
From January 2026 we operate a pro-rata system as follows:
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Membership entitles you to access to all classes, talks, demonstrations and visits at a reduced rate. It also entitles you to enter our Spring and Autumn Exhibitions. As a member you get to vote at the AGM, held in December and help to decide on the future direction of the Club. There is an additional fee of £1 per session attended. (since September 2022)
Guests are welcome at all our activities at a charge of £10 per visit.
Members over 90 do not need to pay subs, only attendance/entry fee. Please note you will still need to fill out a membership form.
If you would like to join us, please complete the application form and send to info@dunmowartgroup.org
