Solihull Society of Arts is a thriving organisation, created for the practice and appreciation of the arts and celebrates its 75th year in 2019. With six sections – Art, Drama, Local History, Recorded Music, Solihull On Stage and SOSage Factory – members enjoy staging a wide variety of productions, art demonstrations, talks and more. Interesting in finding out more or joining? Take a look at Solihull Society of Arts’ website solihullarts.co.uk
In 2002, Solihull Society of Arts formed a partnership with Alderbrook School. This gave the society a new home while the school needed to raise £50,000 to gain Arts College Status and additional funding helped build The Edge complex.
The Art Section is a friendly group of amateur painters that meetsfor demonstrations, talks or practical sketching evenings. They have an exhibition every year, indoor Saturday painting classes during the winter and outside painting days in the summer. There is a wide range of experience in the group, but members are supportive and learn from each others’ efforts.
When: Every other Monday at 7.30pm at Alderbrook School.
Sept 6th : John Hopkins Landscape in watercolour- a demonstration
Sept 27th : Terence Clarke Critical Appraisal -bring your artwork to receive a structured critique.
Oct 4th : Tony Hinchliffe Seascape in Acrylics – a demonstration
Oct 18th : Sketching Evening- bring your art materials for a real or still life drawing session.
Nov 1st : Valerie Briggs Wildlife in Watercolour – a demonstration
Nov 15th : AGM- thinking of joining the committee and influencing how we do things, speak to Nick.
Nov 29th : Fiona Payne Winter treasures in experimental mixed media, a demonstration.
Jan 10th : Sketching Evening- don’t forget those art materials
Jan 24th : Sally Roundell Critical Appraisal- bring your art for a critique.
Feb 7th : Nick Logan Portrait in Sanguine
Feb 28th : Linda Winnett The Life and Works of David Cox-a slideshow
Mar 7th : Sketching Evening
Mar 21st : Julie Hyde Critical Appraisal
Apr 4th : Peter and Margaret Preece Natural History Photography – a slideshow
April 25th : Caroline Griffin Mixed media-pastel over gouache a demonstration
May 9th : David George Beach scene in oils- a demonstration
May 23rd : Sketching Evening
Contact our membership team Jenny, Moria and Deena on 0121 241 7217 for more information.
SSA Drama is an amateur theatre group, staging multiple productions throughout the year, including an annual pantomime. Recent productions include Aladdin, The Wind in the Willows, Lord of the Flies, The Ladykillers, Romeo and Juliet and the amateur premiere of Jerusalem. There are opportunities for actors, directors, technicians, stage managers and more.
When: Wednesday and Friday evenings at Alderbrook School.
Contact hello@ssadrama.com for more info.
The Local History Circle is a group interested in the history of Solihull and the wider West Midlands and Warwickshire areas. Talks on local history are given by visiting speakers, there is an annual dinner in May and a joint lecture in June with the Solihull Archaeology Society.
The present aims of the circle embrace those of the founders of the SSA in 1944 who had mentioned the possibility of an extension to include a local history section, namely that it might “be designed to foster a love of the past and would, in emphasising the growth of future reconstruction from the roots of the past, serve a double purpose”. The present members undertake research on local history matters and, where necessary, campaign for the protection of the local historical environment.
Additionally, members meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at Solihull Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm, with illustrated talks on matters of local history interest. Non-members are welcome to attend at a cost of £3.
Contact Laurence Ince on 0121 706 0204 for more info.
The Recorded Music Circle is for lovers of music whether it be early, Baroque, classical, romantic or modern. A relaxed and friendly group, their aim is to listen to good music in good company with talks given by their own members.
Solihull Society of Arts Recorded Music Circle has had to cancel all meetings since March 2020 due to the Coronavirus outbreak but we are hoping to be able to meet again when the new season begins on Tuesday 14th September 2021.
The Circle meets in M06 (The Sixth Form Room) at Alderbrook School on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from September to June (excluding the fourth Tuesday in December) and meetings begin promptly at 7-30pm. One of our members presents a programme of recorded music chosen either by the presenter him/herself or by members by means of our Suggestions Book.
Visitors are welcome and, if you decide to join the Circle, the annual subscription is £20. We break for refreshments and a chat mid-meeting and a (very) modest contribution of 20 pence per member is collected to cover the cost of the tea/coffee and biscuits. Meetings end at around 9-45pm.
If you like the idea of listening to music played on quality equipment in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere please come along. For more information please call 0121 408 6904 to speak to Peter, our Membership Secretary or 0121 792 4335 for Vernon, our Treasurer. More details may be found on the Society’s Website – www.solihullarts.co.uk All ages are welcome and there is ample parking adjacent to the meeting room.
Please click here for our 2021-2022 schedule.
We look forward to seeing you.
Solihull on Stage is a lively, vibrant and fast-paced amateur musical society that stages broad range of productions at The Core Theatre. Recent productions include The Wedding Singer, Made in Dagenham, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Our House, Fame, and Guys and Dolls.
When: Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Alderbrook School.
Contact solihullonstage@gmail.com for more info.
SOSage Factory is a musical theatre society for those ages between 9 and 18, performing at The Core Theatre. Recent productions include Popsters the 90s Musical, Return to the Forbidden Planet, Miss Saigon, and Les Misérables.
When: Saturday afternoons from 2:30 – 4:30pm at Knowle United Reformed Church.
Contact sosagefactory@gmail.com for more info.