D656 - List of University Art Group papers - c. 1975-2002

The archive mainly consists of material relating to the exhibitions put on by the group. It includes correspondence, exhibition programmes and photographs. However there is also some material relating to other activities of the group.

Archive level description: Sub-sub fonds
Physical Description:2 boxes
Languages:English
Subjects:
Art
Summary:The archive mainly consists of material relating to the exhibitions put on by the group. It includes correspondence, exhibition programmes and photographs. However there is also some material relating to other activities of the group.
Date:c. 1975-2002
Reference Number:D656
Arrangement:The archive is split into four main sections. These sections are:Where possible material has been kept in the original order.
Biographical/Administrative Information:

Mrs Betty Mandelson began looking into the possibility of producing an exhibition of art work produced by members of the university staff during 1975. It was decided that an informal group should be begun which would be dedicated to pursuing this objective. This first group is listed as including Mrs Betty Mandelson (Chairman), Miss Sheila Wilson, Miss Shirley Bamford, Dr Prasad and Miss Allison Elliott. Other people who appear to have been involved in the beginnings of this group are David Bamber and Mr H H Burchnall.

The event was advertised in the staff newsletter, Precinct and on department noticeboards. The advert shows that all kinds of artwork were welcomed as entries for the exhibition, including painting, drawing, sculpture and pottery, etc. The first exhibition (which then became an annual event) was opened on 2nd June 1976 by Professor E D Farmer.(School of Dental Surgery) It was usually held in Senate House but occasionally was held instead in the Civic Design building.

It appears that the group first began to hold regular meetings and lectures unrelated to the exhibition during 1978. Classes and lectures were held concerning still life painting and portrait painting amongst other things. By this stage there were other members on the committee of the Art Group including Miss Pamela Vose, Dr Harry Barrow, Miss Maureen O'Malley, Dr Alan Newton (who succeeded Betty Mandelson as Chairman) and Mr Vic Betty. These members appear to have been involved with the University Art Group throughout the period shown within the archive.

Betty Mandelson died in 1991 after a battle with cancer. Apart from her role in founding and running the University Art Group (of which she was successively chairman and honorary secretary), she was also involved with several other organisations including the Association of Jewish ex servicemen, the Merseyside Council of Christians and Jews, the Marie Curie Fund and was a friend of the Liverpool Museums.

After her death a small exhibition of her art work entitled "Retrospective" was displayed within the annual exhibition of 1992. Funds raised from the sale of this work went into the "Betty Mandelson Memorial Fund" which was intended to fund a mature matriculation student on a fine art course annually in materials.

The University Art Group still holds an annual exhibition in Senate House during the summer months.