Exploring Art Group & the new Sidmouth Wallspace poster

Lucia Cooper, our Brazilian Exploring Art group member, has helped create and coordinate a project inspired by the COP 30 conference taking place in Belém, Pará, Brasil - the gateway to the Amazon Rainforest and close to Lucia's home town. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the largest global United Nations event for discussions and negotiations on climate change. Sidmouth u3a Exploring Art Group were asked to consider those aspects of the Sid Valley which meant most to them and might be adversely affected by climate change, and to create related artworks. These artworks have now been assembled as part of a collaborative community artwork which will be exhibited on Sidmouth Wallspace as from 4 November 2025, raising awareness of climate change and how we can protect our common home. Some of the contributing artworks can be viewed on the Sidmouth u3a Exploring Art flickr page and there is more information on the Sidmouth School of Art website.

Congratulations to Mike Hawkridge

u3a member Mike Hawkridge has been awarded one of photography's highest honours - Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society. Mike produced a panel of 21 prints for his FRPS applicarion entitled 'The Victoria Line Train' - "Waiting for someone on a Victoria Line station platform, I found myself opposite the doors when the trains stopped. As trains arrived and departed, I became increasingly intrigued to see what would be revealed when the doors opened, a tableau of infinite variety and actors. What will I see this time? The doors open and close like theatre curtains. Actors enter and exit the stage. The train departs. I am left pondering on the tableau just passed, curious as to the story it tells, in anticipation of the next. Watching trains come and go is like being at the theatre watching a play without words." You can see his RPS submission panel by clicking on the notice heading.

Group Subject Advisors

If you are thinking about starting a new group or as an existing group you are looking for help, support or inspiration, as well as the assistance available within Sidmouth u3a there is also a national u3a panel of over 80 Subject Advisors in subjects from the Arts to Wellbeing. Advisers are passionate u3a members ready to share their knowledge within the u3a movement. Contact them for helpful resources, as well as support and inspiration for setting up new groups, running groups, and engaging members with a subject area. Any u3a member can contact a Subject Adviser. They are here to support any member or group leader with an interest in their subject, whether you have a group or not. Click on the heading for contact details