65 volunteers contributed 1200 hours, to make the Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society, summer exhibition a huge success.

The Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society (PHAS) is a non profit making organisation, run entirely with volunteers and this year the committee wants to thank all the exhibiting artists, members and volunteers for helping out at the summer exhibition.

The Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society (PHAS) summer exhibition | Jane Galloway

placeholder image — The Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society (PHAS) summer exhibition | Jane Galloway

There are too many to mention by name, but it was great to hear from them all to say how much they got out of it and having the opportunity to display their artworks and meet the public, was as one member said, “it was an absolutely brilliant opportunity to show my artwork, in a simply stunning setting”.

Miles Dewey is an invaluable member of our volunteer force; he has also been helping out with the Thursday Art Group sessions (term time) at Beckett Hall.

Miles Dewey is pictured here with his painting, called ‘The Charity of Venus’ showing the Parish Church of the Ascension Portsea in the background. | Jane Galloway

Miles was left with a brain injury, following a stroke, which also left him with amnesia and unable to work, as he couldn’t concentrate on anything, not even reading a book was possible and he will sadly, never be able to play a musical instrument again.

So, as he loved to paint before the stroke, he picked up a paint brush and started to paint again, which helped him relax, and as he said “I don’t worry about what I am creating as there is less pressure to be perfect, being creative feels fluent, like a language I understand.

Although I grew up in Cambridge, I have been in Portsmouth for around 15 years now, it’s a great cosmopolitan and cultural city, the people are very friendly and supportive.

The creative community is huge and getting out of the house and meeting real people, not just on social media is key, as it’s really helped boost my confidence and opened many possibilities, including joining PHAS and being able to exhibit, has been an incredible opportunity.

The Charity of Venus, painting by Miles Dewey | Miles Dewey

I have really enjoyed my volunteering this year especially helping run a circus at the historic dockyard and the PHAS exhibition has been a great experience”.

PHAS membership is open to all and it allows you to enter the annual summer exhibition, the highlight of our year, and we are privileged to exhibit in the light and spacious setting of the nave of Portsmouth Cathedral.

There is a varied programme of monthly demonstrations by established artists and occasional workshops with visiting tutors. See our Programme of Events Page.

For more information please check out our website http://portshantsart.org.uk and membership page.