Members' Handbook | Brixham Art Society

The Brixham Art Society Handbook

Information and Guidance for Members.

The Society’s Aims

The Brixham Art Society exists to foster the practice, appreciation, and development of the visual arts in all media in Brixham and the surrounding districts.

Members of the Society organise demonstrations, talks, painting sessions, competitions, critiques, exhibitions, workshops, and allied activities to promote this end. We are also keen to extend our skills and understanding and to share ideas.

2. Membership

Any practising artist from complete beginner to established professional, is welcome to join as a Member.

There are two grades of membership.

Full Membership. This category of membership gives full access to all activities.

Associate Membership. This category limits members to participation in all social events, demonstrations, Wednesday Painting Group Sessions and Plein Air events, but without the option to partake in Workshops or Exhibitions.

3. Committee.

The activities and events of the Society are managed by a Committee of not more than eight Full Members, who are elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting, or co-opted onto the Committee, in the event of Committee members retiring.

The Committee is generally comprised of the following officers:

Hon. Secretary.

Hon. Treasurer.

Programme Secretary.

Exhibitions Officer.

Publicity Officer,

Workshop Organiser.

A quorum, for the purposes of a recognised Committee meeting, is any five of the above, where one of the five is the Chair or Vice-Chair.

The Committee is empowered to form any sub-committee as may be deemed appropriate. Any member (Full or Associate) may bring forward a suggestion, or raise an issue for discussion, by contacting the Hon. Secretary.

The Society also has a President to perform such functions as the presenting of awards and the opening of events. The President is not a member of the committee.

Members are expected to respect the decisions of the committee. The committee will challenge inappropriate behaviour.

4. Exhibitions.

The Society holds a number of exhibitions. All artwork submitted for these exhibitions must be original and presented to a high standard.

The committee reserves the right not to accept work considered to be of an unsuitable standard, subject matter, or quality of framing.

Unframed paintings, drawings and prints will be available for sale in browsers. Members may also offer for sale cards and similar items.

Both a hanging fee (for artwork displayed on boards or easels) and a display fee (for artwork in browsers or 3D on tables) and a commission on sales will apply. Rates will be set annually by the committee. The Exhibition Officer will be the primary organiser of these events.

If members wish to exhibit larger 3D artwork, the artist must provide a suitable plinth / stand.

5. Code of Practice.

All artwork submitted for public exhibition under the Society’s auspices should be the artist’s own original work in all respects.

Whilst it is often necessary to carry out research by means of photographs or printed matter to obtain certain details, it is in the best interests of all artists to ensure that their exhibited work, in no way infringes the law of copyright, by the reproduction of any substantial part of another person’s work, without that other artists’ written permission.

6. Annual General Meeting.(A.G.M.)

The A.G.M. of the Society takes place in March of each year, usually on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

This meeting is led by the Chair of the Committee, or Vice-Chair, and the agenda will include the following

President’s Welcome
Apologies for absence
Minutes of the last A.G.M.
Chair Report and Review of the Year.
Treasurer’s Report and presentation of accounts.
Election and / or re-election of committee members.
Election or re-election of the President according to the three-year appointment.
Any other Business.

Anyone wishing to join the committee must submit his/her interest proposed and seconded by current members, three weeks before the date of the A.G.M.

The Committee is elected for one year, standing down at the A.G.M They can be re-elected, but if more than one person is nominated for a role, a vote of members present will take place. The President is proposed by the committee to the members present for election for a period of three years, after which they can be re-elected for a final period of three years.

There will be a break for voting on artwork submitted for the four cups / awards which will be awarded at the end of the meeting.

7. Competitions.

Competitions are held for several awards at regular annual event: the A.G.M; the Christmas Festive Event; and the Summer Exhibition.

A.G.M Competition (four awards)

The Portrait Cup: A depiction of a living subject matter (people, animals, sea-life, birds etc.)

The Still Life Cup: A depiction of inanimate objects, (boats, buildings, traditional still life etc.) Also, abstract art.

The Nature Cup: Landscapes and seascapes, flowers, and plants etc.

The President’s Cup: A piece of artwork selected by the President from the above three categories.

The Summer Exhibition Competition (Five awards).

Best oil painting.

Best Watercolour painting.

Best Alternative media work.

The John Turk Trophy – Best Acrylic painting

Best Artwork in Textiles

The President’s Choice.

Festive Event Competition.

This competition shall have a pre-announced theme, and the winner will be awarded the Bill Mason Cup.

8. Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks.

These are arranged and organised by the Sub-committee, usually taking place on the fourth Thursday of each month. Any change to the date or day will be notified to the members in advance.

A Membership Card and Programme of Events is published annually detailing future events.

9. General Data Protection Regulations. (G.D.P.R.).

The Society is compliant with G.D.P.R. and takes seriously measures to protect members’ data. Emails members receive from the Committee may contain confidential or legally privileged information and should not be forwarded outside of the Society.

10. Proposed Rule Changes

Proposals to pass new rules, changes, or introduction of new activities, etc., shall be submitted in the form of a written resolution or email and submitted to the Hon. Secretary at least 28 days before the A.G.M. to allow time for the membership to be informed prior to a debate and vote.

11. Liquidation.

The Society operates as an unincorporated association for the sole benefit of our members. In the event of liquidation of the Society, all assets shall be realised, and all accounts settled. The residue of the Society’s funds shall be distributed by the liquidator appointed at the final General Meeting in equal shares to the members on the date of the liquidation.

12. Governance

The Society operates under and maintains policies covering, Grievances, Diversity and Engagement, Communications, and a set of appropriate Risk Assessments

Revised February 2026.