75 Years On Do you have a Pitmen Painter Painting? - October 1st 2009
Woodhorn is putting a call out to owners of works by the country's most famous amateur art group to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the first meeting.
The story of the Ashington Group, the miners who became celebrated artists, is in the news again as the national tour of the award winning Pitmen Painters continues. Staff at Woodhorn, home to the permanent collection by the Ashington Group, are looking to gather further information on other paintings by the artists.
Keith Merrin, Director at Woodhorn believes that there could be many works around the North East. "We know that many paintings were given to friends and family and others were sold to raise funds for materials, but what we and the Ashington Group Trustees would like to do, is to get some idea of how many paintings are out there and who they are by."
Initially Woodhorn would like people to make contact in writing. "We are expecting quite a few people to get in touch", said Keith, "We will collate the information and then get back in touch in a couple of months. We really would ask people not just to turn up with their paintings at Woodhorn. We want to be sure that when we do invite them to come along we can handle them properly and have an expert to hand."
The popularity of the play and the paintings would seem to be having a positive effect on visitor numbers to Woodhorn. September was more than 70% up on last year and October more than 30% up. "There's no doubt," said Keith, "that many visitors are coming to Woodhorn to see the paintings. The play has really raised the profile and we have high hopes that the interest will be sustained during the national tour and even beyond."
Any emails about paintings should be sent to press&advertising@woodhorn.org.uk and letters to Woodhorn, QEII Country Park, Ashington NE63 9YF.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Pitmen Painters and their work should have a look at the Ashington Group website: www.ashingtongroup.co.uk and anyone interested in purchasing a print of one of the paintings can enquire via press&advertising@woodhorn.org.uk
The permanent collection is open to the public at Woodhorn Wednesday - Sunday all year round and admission is free.