All fine at gallery

AN exhibition showcasing the best in fine art across the region opens at Gallery Oldham on Saturday.

Staged by one of the country’s most prestigious art societies, the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (MAFA), the exhibition will feature sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking by members.

It will be officially opened at 1pm by Warren Smith, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, joined by the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor David Jones.

The academy, which has more than 100 members and which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, aims to promote art in the wider community through exhibitions and education.

This year a legacy from ardent academy supporter, the late Dr Barbara Oldham OBE, means that one of the artists will be presented with a £1,000 prize.

The memorial award will be presented for the first time, chosen by an independent panel of judges from outside the academy.

Famous

In recent years the academy, which used to hold annual exhibitions at Manchester Art Gallery, has organised twice-yearly events in galleries across the region.

The group has had many famous members over the years, such as LS Lowry, Winston Churchill and Sir Kenneth Clark.

Several MAFA members are based in the borough and past members include Oldham artists William Stott (1857–1900), who painted impressionist landscapes, and James Fitton RA (1899-1982), a painter and graphic designer.

The current president, Saddleworth-based artist John McCombs, will conduct a tour of the exhibition next Wednesday, from 1pm.

During the exhibition there will be a variety of workshops run by current academy members costing £20 each, with some free places for people receiving benefits.

The classes are:

November 20: Printing, John McPake.

November 27: Outdoors Indoors — Learning the art of landscape painting indoors — John McCombs.

November 28: Painting the Dance – Bill Eley.

December 5: Pastel Perfection — Janina Cebertowicz.

December 11: Life Drawing — John McCombs

January 8: Painting from Life — Sheila Dewsbury

The workshops run from 10am until 4pm on Saturdays and 10am until 3.30pm on Sundays.

To book a place call 0161-770 4653.

The exhibition runs until January 16.