The Frome Urban Sketchers were formed in 2013, as the brainchild of local artist David Chandler and NVB Architects Director & Chair of the RIBA SouthWest, Giles Vallis. The idea was to offer an oppurtunity for sketchers and artists at all levels to re-engage with Frome’s beautifully idiosyncratic architecture – an offer which was taken up by an enthusiastic group of Frome locals who braved a rather drizzly first event, perching on walls and under trees to capture aspects of the town we know and love.
Since that inagural sketch-crawl, which formed part of that year’s RIBA Love Architecture Week, the group have met to sketch widely in Frome, and are now taking thier books and pencils further afield across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. Now known simply as The Frome Sketchers, the group continues to thrive, seeking out unique buildings, beautiful views and interesting street-furniture to study and sketch.
Additions to the group are always welcome, with no restriction on age, experience or artistic ability:
“You don’t need any great skill to be a Frome Sketcher,” says David Chandler, “Just a pencil, a folding stool and a willingness to eat cake!”
The current group of Frome Sketchers will be presenting recent work in an exhibition here at Rook Lane Chapel from Saturday 8th November until Saturday 15th November. All are welcome to the preview on Friday 7th November from 6pm.
For more information visit Frome Sketchers Facebook page or listen to the Seeing Things podcast
