We are the Huntingdonshire branch of the national Arts Society, whose mission statement is ‘Enriching lives through the Arts’.
We offer a programme of monthly talks – nine a year (Wednesday afternoons, starting at 2.30pm) in the St Ives Corn Exchange.
We also arrange Visits to exhibitions, and other venues of interest, and occasional Study Days.
Our Volunteer Groups include Historic Church Recorders, and, through the affiliated Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust, Garden Heritage Volunteers.
We support ASHYAC (Arts Society Huntingdonshire Young Artists Competition), and its annual exhibition of work at both primary and secondary levels.
And finally, an annual holiday of four or five days duration, in spring or autumn, based at a location in the UK, comprising visits to museums, houses and gardens, cathedrals, etc.
Memorial for Dr. Jill Donnelly
Saturday 28th March
The paediatric department of Hinchingbrooke hospital was a fitting venue for a celebration of Jill’s life. Former colleagues testified to Jill’s impressive work within and beyond the hospital.
Contributions from staff and friends allowed the purchase of a beautiful oak chair; Dreamdrops children’s charity presented an inscribed plaque in the shape of a teardrop which is the charity’s emblem and a leaf with Jill’s name was attached to the memorial tree in the staff garden at the hospital.
Claire Sarkies was invited to represent The Arts Society with a few words:
“Jill was a highly respected and long-standing member of the Huntingdonshire branch of The Arts Society, a lecture-based society which also supports arts in the community through volunteering.
As you can imagine she brought intelligence, dynamism and commitment to her various roles. She organised some memorable outings and holidays, generously hosted many meetings and in addition she served as our Young Arts Secretary, uniting her interest in the Arts with her love of children. In this capacity she established an annual schools’ art exhibition, which continues to this day.
During the year of the 300th anniversary celebrating Capability Brown, she liaised with Fenstanton and Hilton Primary School, supporting the project to create a commemorative stained glass window. Jill took delight in the children’s design work, especially when a child informed the grown-ups that there was something missing from the picture. The ‘something’ was Brown himself, who subsequently appeared behatted and brandishing a spade. She took part in the school’s outing to the Stained Glass Museum in Ely and organised a festive tea party at the end of the project. For all this she was given the Marsh Award by The Arts Society for outstanding volunteer work.
In paying tribute to Jill, I’d also like to mention two other Arts Society members who are here today. Margaret Gledhill and Lilian Pickin worked tirelessly, collecting artwork from local schools to brighten the hospital corridors. Sadly Covid interrupted this service but I hope it may be re-introduced as so many people commented on the pleasure it brought.
Jill was as kind as she was intelligent. Her public service was exemplary. This morning I read of Charles Darwin’s remark on the passing of John Henslow, the creator of the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge. He said “ I fully believe a better man never walked this earth”. We just need to change the gender but not the sentiment! ”
Claire Sarkies
On Wednesday, 8th April, Dan Evans will give a lecture entitled:
Caravaggio: The Bad Boy of Barroque
The scandalous and sometimes vicious painter produced work with cinematic compositions and intensely visceral details. His downfall is the stuff of a film not yet made and despite dying prematurely his canvases influenced the generation that followed.
Please join us for tea or coffee before the start of the lecture
2025/26 Arts Society A Level Art Competition
We have just heard that Erika Ralph (St.Peter’s School) has been awarded 2nd Place in the competition for her work ‘Recipe for Disaster’, and James Lawless (Kimbolton School) has been awarded 3rd Place for his image ‘Dancer’.
They will shortly be featured on the AS website, together with all the artwork entered in the competition.
Many congratulations to two very accomplished young artists – and to Rosemary Huckle, who works tirelessly in support of Young Arts
As you walk in have you noticed the new notelets for sale? They are priced at £1 each (cash only)
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The Arts Society, Huntingdonshire 