Saddleworth Group of Artists

About the partnership

In 1979 the lease ran out at our Spring Street studio. Roger Tanner had spearheaded extensions to Saddleworth Museum a couple of years previously and the new art gallery provided exhibition space for the group. The art gallery also provides an opportunity to showcase work from our annual Journees de Peinture.
Our large summer and winter shows continue to be held here every year.

About us

The Saddleworth Group of Artists was founded in 1950 by the watercolour painter, Ellis Shaw, and some friends who wanted to promote the study of fine arts and hold meetings and exhibitions. They rented the top floor of a house in Spring Street, Uppermill, where, besides organising exhibitions and life classes, they held workshops funded by the Carnegie Trust. The Oldham artist, James Fitton R.A. and L.S. Lowry, who took a keen interest in the group and came to all the exhibitions, were among the many well known tutors. L.S. Lowry is known to have had work in the group’s Saddleworth Festival show in 1957.
From 1979 to the present day our exhibitions have been held in a variety of galleries but each year we hold two major exhibitions (one in summer and one in winter) in the spacious art gallery in Saddleworth Museum.
In August 2006 the group hosted for the second time the international art event known as the Journees de Peinture. Twenty artists from France, Switzerland, Belgium and America painted each day in and around Saddleworth villages.
We also go to the named countries to paint. The Journees de Peinture is now held most years. In addition, during the year, popular social events including outdoor painting days are organised.
There are currently a great selection of members in Saddleworth Group of Artists, some full time professionals, and all seriously committed to their work.