Set across the road from the lovely River Severn is Bridge House, Waterside, Upton-upon-Severn, WR8 0HG. Originally Bridge House was by the first river crossing. A home and a warehouse were the Severn Trow boats would unload.
Bridge House has been where, for more than twenty one years, Gerald Savine has been holding his art classes.
The classes are held in the Function Room where double doors, and two windows are open to let in the light and show the river flowing past. With views across the beautiful river or by crossing the road, one can sit on the grassy river back and paint or draw the river.
Looking west, one can even see the wonderful Malvern Hills under the unique ‘Upton Bridge’, which is the last iron, riveted bridge in Europe, built to carry heavy military vehicles around the beginning of the II World War. Looking east, the river is tree lined and in the distance curves away south past the Ham, to continue it’s way to the sea.
Gerald Savine runs weekly art classes throughout the year. These attract regular members from up to thirty miles away. Working in all mediums:- watercolour, acrylics, oils, gouache, pencil, pen and pastels. Members are able to chose their subjects to paint or work from subjects supplied by Gerald. There are the occasional set sessions for everyone to do.
Although the classes have regular members, they are open to visitors.
The classes are friendly and over the years people on holiday, including on more than one occasion, from America, have come and enjoyed a ‘One Off’ class.
The classes are two hours long with a break halfway through for tea or coffee and one of Janice’s famous biscuits.
As well as those with experience in art, Gerald takes first time students and visitors gentle though a painting of a poppy showing how to layout the drawing and doing the painting. Hopefully to complete by the end of the session!
For regular members the cost is £15.00 per session. For visitors, with materials supplied, the cost is £20.00.
The classes are on Wednesdays and Thursdays 10.30am – 12.30pm & 2.00pm – 4.00, Fridays 10.30am – 12.30pm. In the summer, Thursday evenings, 6.00pm – 8.00pm.
Please check available space by contacting Gerald via 01684 591122 or [email protected].
We ask that members have had the ‘Covid’ jabs, wear a face mask (we have some in stock if you do not have one) or a shield and if possible, to have taken a ‘Lateral Flow Test’ before they come to classes.
Gerald Savine NDD, GRA., studied at the Harrow School of Art for six years, from the age of thirteen, in 1959. He became a visualiser and eventualy an art director, working on national and international clients at advertising agencies in London, Bristol and Cheltenham. In 1979, Gerald became ‘Freelance’, working for UK and overseas clients, in many areas of advertising. The work included all areas of advertising and producing artwork and illustrations.
For a two and a half years in the mid 1980’s, he was invited to worked part time, as a lecturer for the Hereford Art College.
For many years, Gerald has been known for his Marine and Railway paintings and the work has been exhibited around England and at the National Transport Museum in Lucerne, Switzerland.
