OUR LINKS

Our members enjoy a range of benefits through our partnership with the Munnings Art Museum. Members receive a generous discount on an annual visitor pass; we regularly use the museum grounds as a painting venue, and the museum contributes to and enriches our annual programme of art events. As an art society based in Dedham, we feel very fortunate to have this exceptional museum on our doorstep.

The Munnings Art Museum is located at Castle House, the former home of Sir Alfred Munnings (1878–1959) and his wife, Violet. Described by Munnings as “the house of my dreams,” he lived and worked in this elegant Tudor and Georgian building for more than forty years until his death. The house, artist’s studio, and garden sit within forty acres of beautiful countryside in the Dedham Vale on the Essex–Suffolk border.

The museum holds the largest collection of works by this prolific East Anglian painter and former President of the Royal Academy (1944–1949). Visitors can enjoy the unique ambience of Castle House, where furniture and personal items remain in place, creating the feeling that Sir Alfred and Violet might return to the room at any moment.

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Norfolk. The charity offers families flexibility and control over where they receive their care, and its family-centred approach includes specialist nursing, symptom management, short breaks, wellbeing activities, therapies, end-of-life care, bereavement support and counselling. Care is provided at home, in hospital, or at one of EACH’s three hospices: Milton (Cambridgeshire), The Nook (Norfolk) and The Treehouse (Suffolk). HRH The Princess of Wales is the charity’s Royal Patron.

EACH relies heavily on public support and provides all its specialist medical and emotional services free of charge. The charity must raise £6.7 million from fundraising and £7.8 million from retail income this year alone.

In recognition of this important work, the Dedham Art Society supports EACH through the sale of members’ artwork. Twenty percent of art sales at our annual gallery exhibition is donated directly to the charity.

Art gives us the opportunity to create, express and communicate — a vital element of the art therapy EACH offers to the children and families in its care. Click here to learn more about EACH’s Art Therapy programme.

Susan has been painting in watercolour for over 25 years and her passion has led her to share this enthusiasm with others through her teaching.

Susan has lived in East Anglia all her life and is constantly stimulated by the beautiful landscape. She also enjoys the challenge of painting busy street scenes as she explores many European cities.

Although Susan is mainly self taught, she has been inspired by artists such as Mike Chaplin, Trevor Linguard, Soraya French, Alvaro Castagnet and Joseph Zubokvic.

Susan has had several solo exhibitions and participated in many local shows. She also leads regular workshops and courses and is a frequent demonstrator to art clubs in East Anglia.

Susan also gives demonstrations at local art groups, focusing on a particular topic or technique.
She is always ready to answer questions and offer guidance.