Dear Friends
Welcome to our Autumn Bulletin.
The appointment of new committee members at the reconvened AGM means that the Friends of the Hatton is able to continue. When the possibility of closure threatened the group, I decided to volunteer as Chair. As a past manager of a charity, I know how important members, trustees and the committee are to the organisation.
As the new Chair I am really looking forward to working with the members of the Committee. They are all extremely talented and able to steer the group though the next few years.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bill, Richard and John for their tireless work as Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. These are key roles in any organisation but essential in a charity, such as the Friends.
The Hatton has a very special place in my life. I graduated from the Fine Art department here in 1977. The students have always benefitted from having such a prestigious gallery on site, not only from its own collection but also its varied visiting exhibitions. I remember studying the Burrell Collection here before it was installed in its new building in Glasgow!
This demonstrates what a valuable asset the Hatton is to both the University and the people of Newcastle and surroundings. I’m sure you are aware of its historical links with the Pitmen Painters!
It is with great pleasure that I emphasise ‘Friends’ in this introduction. Recently a member of the committee mentioned that she had joined to ‘make friends’. As Friends we always welcome new members as we actively support the gallery and the arts in our region.
I was a member of the Friends many years ago. I recently attended a number of Josephine’s imaginative events. These were so engaging and the attendees such fun, that I was inspired to rejoin!
So, if you thinking of joining – come along to an event which are also open to non-members.
We have a Nature Journaling workshop: this is with Steve Pardue the featured artist in this issue. There is also a Batik workshop, a monotype / print workshop and a festive art workshop, for December. They are all led by professional artists and both welcome those with experience and those who are keen beginners.
And don’t forget to visit the Hatton’s forth coming exhibition: ‘Some kind of love, actions and reactions to living on a damaged planet’ by Uta Kogelsberger – and definitely join the Friends !
Geraldine Morris-Dowling
Chair of Friends of the Hatton
This bulletin contains contributions by:
This bulletin contains contributions by:
Maggie Bassendine, Alan Bond, Polina Chizhova, Andy Costello, Josephine Cousin, Sheila Culling, Peter Mackay-Jackson, Geraldine Morris-Dowling, Roger Newbrook, Steve Pardue & Judith Ramsay.
If you would like to write an article for us for use in a future bulletin; maybe a review of a workshop, talk or an exhibition you have seen, please contact us, by emailing FothChair@gmail.com or drop us a line of our Facebook page: facebook.com/friendsofthehatton.
If you have stumbled across this page and are not yet a member of the Friends of the Hatton, you might consider joining us.
You can read our Autumn 2025 Bulletin online or…
If you haven’t already, please “Like” our Facebook page to be kept up to date with our activities and last minute announcements https://www.facebook.com/friendsofthehatton/
Friends of the Hatton 