wELCOME!


​​Welcome to the Harpenden Arts Club!

The Harpenden Arts Club aims to provide a wide range of creative workshops, demonstrations, life drawing and studio practice evenings, as well as a sociable meeting point for artists of all abilities. In normal times, we meet most Thursday evenings at 7.30 - 9.30 pm in the small public hall, Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PD (behind the Harpenden Arms pub) from September to May.
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Regretfully, due to Covid 19, we are unable to hold actual meetings, therefore we have transferred to an online basis until further notice. Full details are emailed to members weekly, but this is a summary for the next few weeks:
SPRING 2021 PROGRAMME
MAY 2021 - Theme - Tonal Values
6 May, 7.30pm - Online demo by artist George Boyter on tonal values in watercolour landscapes.
13 May - a free evening to paint your own tonal pictures inspired by this demonstration.
20 May, 7.30pm - Review and critique of members' tonal themed artwork via zoom.
27 May, 7.30pm - zoom AGM initially, then a review of "Members' Favourites" paintings.
SUMMER SKETCHING PROGRAMME
Full details will be sent to members via email, but here are the outline dates.  
Saturday 5 June, 10.30am - Meet at the "Crinkle Crankle Walled Garden", Wheathampstead. Led by Bel Bluemel. 
Wednesday 16 June, 10.30am - sketching at St Mary's Church and on the Common, Redbourn. Led by Yvonne Bolton.
Saturday 3 July, 2pm - meet at the new Eric Morecambe Cultural Centre, Rothamsted Park, Harpenden. Led by Judi Simons.
Wednesday 14 July, 10am - sketching at Peter Brown's garden, Redbourn. Led by Peter Brown.
Saturday 31 July, 10.30am - sketching Harpenden Common, meeting at The Silver Cup, Harpenden. Led by Fiona Gaskell.
Wednesday 11 August, 9.30am - meeting at the Sensory Gardens, Bowers Parade (near to the Cook Shop), Harpenden. Led by Sarah Poppleton.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Hopefully we will be able to start indoor art sessions at some point, but in the meantime, we are staying in touch with Members via the weekly emails, and a private Harpenden Arts Club Members' group page on Facebook (all HAC members can request to join this private discussion group on Facebook). Also you can see our Brushstrokes newsletter here:

aBOUT uS


We are a sociable and creative group of people who enjoy learning new art techniques and sharing ideas. We have over 130 members and a strong committee of nine enthusiastic individuals who, along with many willing helpers, organise and run the activities.
 SOME MEMBERS CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY
As a temporary measure, while we are unable to hold physical indoor meetings due to Covid, we are suspending the art club subscription fees. However we are still active online and outside, and are still accepting new members. If you would like to join:
NEWS
Three of our long serving committee members stepped down at the AGM on 27th May. Chairman Roy Bentley, Programme Secretary Yvonne Bolton and Brushstrokes Editor Bel Bluemel (picture here in the front row) retired after many years of hard work and dedication on the HAC Committee. We thank them immensely for their time, and wish them well in their continued creative pursuits.

We are fortunate that four new committee members were elected at the AGM: Fiona Gaskell, Bridget Bucktin, Susan Dean, and Michal Parr. In addition, Debbie Knight was elected as our new Chairwoman. We are lucky to have a thriving, engaged membership and are looking forward to all the challenges and activities of the new season.
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HARRY DOBKIN
With great sadness, we announce the death of our friend and well respected Honorary President, Harry Dobkin. It was a privilege to have had his involvement in the Harpenden Arts Club for so many years. Rest in Peace Harry.
HARPENDEN ARTS CLUB ANNUAL EXHIBITION
Our annual exhibition would normally take place in November each year. After the cancellation last year of the annual exhibition due to Covid, the committee are considering what may safely be possible for 2021.

​In the meantime, here is a reminder of our 2019 exhibition:
MEMBERS' GALLERIES

Don't forget that there are pages here on the HAC website that can display your work. If you would like your own section or would like to update the current pictures you have on display, please do email Sarah Poppleton on poppleton94@yahoo.co.uk with jpegs of your paintings (up to 6 images, under 1MB file size each please) and a paragraph about you and your work.

gdpr iNFORMATION

Harpenden Arts Club has now published a data protection policy in line with the new General Data Protection Regulations.

Are you getting our emails?

We send out regular email to members roughly every week. If you are a member, are you getting our emails? Sometimes the addresses become out of date or other technical issues inadvertently halt emails to individuals. 

Emails to members now come from info.hac2018@gmail.com . Please make sure your email system accepts this new address and doesn't put our emails into your Junk folder! Also, please make sure we have your current email address. If in doubt, contact Membership Secretary Peter Brown on 01582 793174 or pjbrown4242@gmail.com.
If you have any comments or suggestions for this website or would like to contact the webmaster, please email Sarah Poppleton on info.hac2018@gmail.com .