Last week, we received this news from Nicki Stapleton, Education and Volunteering Manager at The Arts Society Headquarters in London. ‘We are delighted to share the fantastic news that Pax McDowell from Truro School, has been selected as the Winner of The Arts Society A Level Art Competition 2025/26 for his stunning submission, ‘Urchin and Bowl’, for which he will receive a £500 prize.

 As the society that put Pax forward, we wanted to thank you for supporting young artistic talent.

We will be featuring Pax's work, alongside those artists in 2nd and 3rd place, as well as a document featuring all the artwork entered into the competition, on the Arts Society website ‘

Hello All,
Many congratulations to the Members and guests who attended the February Lecture in the Fal Building, despite the foul weather and the parking difficulties.  We had not been made aware that the sporting activities taking place on this side of the College Campus would impact on the availability of parking spaces. 
On the plus side the lecture theatre is superb and Antonia Gatward-Cevizli was most impressed with the facilities we enjoy compared with most of the venues in which she lectures.
We will be in the Fal Building for the next two lectures.  Hopefully it won’t rain for ever and evenings are getting lighter.
Please speak with me after the lecture if you feel you can help in any way either by taking up a place on the Committee or by hosting a lecturer.  Many hands make light work.
We are formulating plans for some extra events over the coming months so please do look at your Newsletters for details.

Catherine McDonald

Dear all
Well what a start to the year! Black ice followed  shortly by hundreds of trees sadly being blown down. I hope you have all survived well. This of course was then followed by having to cancel our January meeting at very short notice.  When we first heard there may be a problem due to a strike by staff, It was hoped the college would be able to find us a stand in. Jon our great IT guy did all he could to help us. We really did try  to find an alternative solution but by Monday afternoon it was taken out of our hands when the college wrote to say we could not use the theatre.
Many of you were looking forward to David Tovey’s lecture. As you know we book lectures 2 years ahead but we will rebook him as soon as we can.
Now onto the good news. I was delighted to hear from Lois that we have more people joined up at the beginning of 26 than we had at the beginning of 25. Well done everyone for getting the word out there  and for rejoining. I hope we can hit a record membership this year.
The other good news is we have 3 Truro shortlisted entries in the Art Society Art Competition - Polly will be giving info on how to vote. Let’s get a winner this year!
I need to remind you we will be in the Fal building for the next 3 months.  There is parking. Turn right shortly after  you have turned off the A390. See page 3 for a map of the College site. We will be there to let you into the building. There will be a short AGM before the lecture. Please send me anything you wish to be included.
I will be stepping down this year and want to thank you all for the support and friendship you have shown me over the last 3 years. I have been overwhelmed at times. I look forward to having a more relaxed cup of coffee with you before future meetings.
Karen

A Happy New Year Everyone! 

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and not too exhausting. 

I’m writing this on my way up to London for the festivities with my family. 

The feedback from Charlie Waite’s lecture was excellent so many of us were inspired by him. Perhaps we can have a photography competition in ‘26. 

 I think we’ve got a really super year of lectures ahead, well chosen by Alison, so put the dates in your new diary.  You will see later this year the Mylor theatre is having an upgrade so they are giving us the Fal theatre for a few months - still good facilities and  plenty of parking.  

Not long now until we see those Spring bulbs popping up and lighter evenings. 

Best wishes 

Karen x

Hello all,
Even though it’s mid-November as I write, Christmas is springing  up all around us. I got into the spirit of things by attending a wicker reindeer making course. Very proud of my efforts, left!!  The teacher was the lovely lady who made the hedgehogs on  Trafalgar roundabout.  Thoroughly recommend her courses.
This morning I attended the  South West AS  Chairs meeting in Exeter. A lovely group of people. They even swapped the agenda around so Catherine MacDonald and I didn’t miss the main presentation when our train was cancelled.  Ian Arnold the new CEO was a breath of  fresh air. As many of you will know  during the last few years the focus from Head Office has been trying to make everything trendy to encourage young people to join us. Well I am excited to tell you there has been a huge reversal of thinking.  It is back to belonging to people like us with more advanced years. I really feel the society is on the up again  -  they listened !
I am sure you are all looking forward to our  December lecture.  Charlie Waite has always been one of our most popular lecturers. Bring along your friends who enjoy photography  (free if it’s their first visit).  You will find him inspiring.
Enjoy our little Christmas celebration, Hugo will be mulling the wine again!
Thank you for being a member this year and all your  lovely comments about the lectures etc. 
A Very Merry Christmas to you all
Karen

Hello everyone,
As I write and glance out of my window the latest storm is whirling the leaves around my garden - looks like a sweep up job at the weekend. Perhaps a good half term task  for my family.

Thank goodness the weather was kind when we visited ‘The Emily Story’.  I am so impressed by this museum. So much has gone into the presentation and visitor experience. Everyone enjoyed the visit and we learnt a lot but felt ashamed of the behaviour of this country. If you haven’t been yet do try to organise a visit.

I’m delighted to say our committee is in a much better place thanks to 3 people who have recently got involved . We are still looking for one or two people to help Jenny Hamilton,  our treasurer, the role could be split. Please consider volunteering and chat to Jenny - you’ll find her on the tea table.

Thank you to those who have responded to Lois’s plea to join up early. Keep those renewals rolling in.

Don’t forget to bring some cash with you for drinks and raffle.

Have a healthy month !
Karen

Hello everyone, Is it really September and time to think of the new term for The Arts Society? What a busy summer I have had and am looking forward to getting back to a more normal routine. The team have been doing various jobs over the summer. Jonathan has been busy getting next year’s programme printed. Having had a sneak preview I feel there will be something for everyone to enjoy. I have been busy getting the details organised for the members lunch at Trellisick Barn and the Story of Emily visit. - I am sure both occasions will be a success.

We are still hopeful some of you will come along to help on the team, particularly the’'younger' members, so we can continue the society in Truro. It is a good time of year to invite people along to a lecture so do ask any of your friends and neighbours to give us try - we always have taster ‘free lecture’ tickets and programme leaflets available from the reception desk.

STICKERS I really have problems remembering peoples names - and know I am not the only one. So we have decided to try offering stickers you can write your name on - if you wish. I for one will be grateful! From time to time the suggestion of badges for members comes up. However, this is an expense we don’t need - or the hassle. People forgetting or loosing them or someone having to be responsible for giving them out and collecting them. Let’s give the stickers a try and see how it goes.

EVENTS

As mentioned before we have the members party and the visit to the Story of Emily coming up. Those of you that have signed up have mostly paid but there are a few outstanding . The payments need to be in very soon now so please check if you are unsure. Each event is £15 so please put a reference either Lunch or Emily or both.
If at all possible pay by BACS to The Arts Society Truro Sort Code 30-98-76 Account 02189984

Any problems contact me on karenjkitson@btinternet.com

Looking forward to seeing you all again!
Karen