Southport Contemporary Arts:- 'For the Love of Painting'

A retrospective exhibition to showcase a much missed colleague will be taking place at the end of January to celebrate the artistic skills of 1 of Southport Contemporary Arts' founding contributors, Brian Adams. Brian believed in lifelong learning and was proof that you're never too old to learn, only picking up his paintbrush later in life. He once confessed:- "My working life has revolved around carpentry and joinery, but retirement has given me the time to pursue my interest in making art and I now find this has become a large part of my life."

His fellow SCA class members still miss his enthusiasm and contribution. Brian was known for his quiet determination to improve his skills, his knowledge of art, his support of all things SCA, as well as his sometimes, not entirely PC, commentary of the world and things going on in it.

Norrie Beswick Calvert, Co-Director of SCA, well remembers their 1st encounter:- "We 1st met Brian when he strolled into one of our Big Draw outdoor community activities 12 years ago. He asked what we were up to and told us that he'd always had an interest in Art, but that work had, up to now, taken up his creative energies. However, now having retired he was looking forward to learning to draw. At that time SCA had created a small art class in the pre-developed Southport indoor market and the next week Brian came along and the rest is history."

Brian continued as a twice weekly student, developing his drawing and painting skills and a few years later was able to join the SCA Artists membership. Norrie adds:- "When SCA took on the premises on Eastbank Street in Southport, which was to become ArtHouse, Brian used his joinery skills in many ways to help us, even including laying the gallery flooring!"

Always an ardent supporter of SCA's ambitions to help people develop their skills, Brian often joined in with SCA's community events. He enjoyed talking to visitors about his own creative journey and passionately believed that anyone could learn and enjoy art if they had the interest and encouragement.

Brian would certainly approve of his exhibition providing similar inspiration to others considering involvement in Art.

Brian never lost the willingness to learn and try new things and was an avid reader of art history. He attended many exhibitions near and far and hosted his own 1 man show in his local community of Ainsdale as well as taking part in many SCA exhibitions at the ArtHouse, in Southport.

At SCA fundraising activities Brian was always keen to help out, even learning to use a sewing machine well enough to be able to help with SCA's annual:- 'Big Make Bags for Cancer Patients' project.

Proficient in both oils and acrylic, Brian enjoyed painting landscapes and bird life and when lockdown hit Brian's art kept him sane creating a charming body of work focusing on the subject of owls.

Brian's illness was thankfully brief, but difficult because it was asbestos related. It had been whilst working on ship repairs as young man that, like so many, he'd unknowingly inhaled asbestos particles with the unfortunate consequences of that inhalation in later life.

SCA will be donating all profits from Brian's exhibition and sale of work to:- 'Sean's Place,' a mental health organisation across Sefton and the Liverpool City Region, who teach men new skills as part of helping them with their mental health challenges, a charity that Brian would certainly have endorsed.

The ArtHouse is following current Government guidelines and the safety of all visitors, exhibitors and staff remains a 1 priority. There will be a policy of 2 visitors at a time, with social distancing once inside, and hand sanitize dispensers at the door to use on arrival.

For more information please visit:- SCA-Network.Co.UK.
 

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