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