Fairlynch and The Art Club combine resources to celebrate the launch of 'The Boyhood of Raleigh' on loan from Tate Britain

During the Bank Holiday Monday of Budleigh's Gala Week,​ to mark the first day of the exhibition of 'The Boyhood of Raleigh', Sir John Everett Millais - or was it John Washington in whiskers - put in a special appearance by The Raleigh Wall where the original was painted. 

With the the help of a pointing Genoese sailor looking remarkably like Nick Spears in red bloomers and accompanied by a variety of suitably attired children playing the young Walter and his half-brother Humphrey, the painting was recreated in front of the holiday visitors encouraging them to see the real  thing over the road in Fairlynch Museum.

​There were of course appearances by Sir Walter - actually two of them (with one on horseback)  who addressed the onlookers with tales of history, his life, Queen Elizabeth 1 and his eventual execution at The Tower of London. Even his mother, Katherine Champernowne put in an appearance. 

​During a very hot and sunny afternoon a variety of costumed characters visited the spectacle and a goodly sum was raised to help support the finances required to display the painting throughout the summer.
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If you didn't manage to come along during the day, do pay a visit to Fairlynch where
​you'll have a rare opportunity throughout the summer to see this iconic example of
Pre-Raphaelite painting. And all done here by the beach in Budleigh Salterton.

Following a lively and inspiring demonstration at the May Club Meeting, a group of Club members joined Sue Lewington for an afternoon's plein air sketching and painting.

The Green in Budleigh provided the ideal location with a variety of subjects -  trees, plants, people, dogs, buildings and pathways and the group put into practice the tips learnt in the morning with a series of sketches, watercolour paintings and pen and wash drawings.

Something we may repeat if you'd like to join in. Watch this space. Sue has several books in print which you may find of interest and you can check out her website for courses and further information at www.suelewington.net

Yes – in support of the arrival of the famous Boyhood of Raleigh painting
​at Fairlynch, two of our members are starring in the Millais Tableau by the Raleigh Wall  opposite the museum. 

John Washington, dressed in full Victorian artist’s costume will be re-creating the painting with his interpretation of Sir John’s masterpiece and Nick Speare will be modelling as the Genoese sailor, sitting barefoot in resplendent scarlet bloomers and pointing out to sea. 
The whole set has been specially created by BSAC and Fairlynch – even a handcrafted starfish by Jenny Delahaye.
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If you have some time during the Club’s exhibition, do come along between 2pm and 4pm to see it all. Local children will be dressed as the young Raleigh and Humphrey, his half-brother. Sir Walter in full Elizabethan regalia will be riding by on his horse and his mother, Katherine Champernowne is due to put in an appearance as well.

And of course you can see the real painting on loan from Tate Britain, hanging in Fairlynch, not only on Monday but throughout the summer months.

Not to be missed!

Paintings at an Exhibition
Club members will be aware that the famous Millais painting of the "Boyhood of Raleigh" will be on display throughout the summer at Fairlynch Museum

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Your chance to have a Raleigh-themed painting on show
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A suggestion from the Museum is that as this is the 400th anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh’s death at the Tower of London, members might like to create some Raleigh-inspired paintings, drawings or other artworks for the Art Club's Annual Exhibition in August.

In addition, the Club has been invited to display selected works of art in the Museumfollowing the return of the Boyhood of Raleigh painting to The Tate Gallery later in the summer so we shall be looking for appropriate work to show.
 
Some suggestions for subjects:
Members might be on holiday in Guiana (Venezuela), Ireland, Raleigh USA, Sherborne or wherever, and if you knew of a fine view and the Raleigh connection you might think of settling down with easel – for example:
 
Locally:
i. East Budleigh 
Hayes Barton*, Vicars' Mead, a Church bench end in All Saints Church [Green Man/Red Man]
ii.  Lily Farm Vineyard (Knowle, Budleigh - which has produced a Raleigh Brut 2015 sparkling wine)
iii. Colaton Raleigh - Place Court, where Raleigh supposedly was baptised.
iv.  Lympstone (birthplace - it is thought by some - of Sir Ralph Lane, Governor of Raleigh's Roanoke colony),  
 
Exeter:
Exeter Martyrs Memorial (St Leonards) which shows the burning of Protestant martyr Agnes Prest. It's an event which supposedly deeply affected Walter's mother, Katherine Champernowne.    
 
Elsewhere in Devon:
Dittisham - Raleigh boathouse - where he supposedly enjoyed a smoke!!
Ashburton - Exeter Inn, where he was arrested in 1603
 
Dorset: 
i. Sherborne Castle (Old Castle ruins and the New Castle)
ii. Cerne Abbas village, where Raleigh was tried for atheism
 
Gloscestershire:
Acton Court (Iron Acton, Glos - which inspired Hilary Mantel and also welcomed, so they say, Queen Elizabeth I & Raleigh)

Oxfordshire:
Oxford - Oriel College  

London:
i. Tower of London, where Raleigh was a prisoner for 13 years
ii. Middle Temple, where he was a pupil 
 
Sussex: 
Petworth - where they have the Molyneux globe reputedly given by Raleigh to the Earl of Northumberland)

Jersey:
Elizabeth Castle, where he was Govenor

Ireland:
Youghal - Myrtle Grove. He was Mayor of the town, where there is a Raleigh Quarter  
 
USA:
Roanoke Island NC
Raleigh NC - statue of Raleigh  
 
Plus of course versions of the Millais painting, which could be used in so many ways, including cartoons, adverts for Guinness etc

Plenty of choice! A chance to create something a little different and even have some fun with a cartoon or two. And remember there are awards to be won at the August Exhibition so it's always worth submitting your work. Have fun.

Arriving by coach and car, over 30 members made the trip to see one of the South West’s most innovative and inspiring exhibitions of artwork.

​Set within the house and gardens, the sun shone on sculptures of all descriptions with a brilliant collection of paintings and prints in both the main house and the Stable Block Gallery. 

And with the rhododendrons and azaleas in their full May glory this really was the ideal setting for a fantastic day out.
Have a look at the photos below and you’ll get a taste of what we were lucky enough to see and enjoy – and of course be inspired to create more of our own work.