From Saturday 25th January to Sunday 23rd February. “From the Museum Collections”> John McCombs & Joan Charnley

Introduction to the exhibition

The museum is featuring two exhibitions from its unique collections – ‘Saddleworth Villages’ will show a collection of paintings by John McCombs – these were a special commission depicting some of our villages, The second collection of paintings is ‘Wild Flowers of Saddleworth’ a series of twelve botanical illustrations in watercolour by Joan Charnley.
Exhibition runs 25th January to 23rd February

The artist John McCombs 1943 – 2025

John McCombs was born in Manchester and studied at St Martin’s School of Art in London under Gore and Kossoff. He then returned north to become a professional artist, working from his studio in Delph.

He was a member of Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of British Artists.

His landscapes were inspired by the Pennine area centred around Delph, and his figure paintings reflected the social and working life of the village.

The artist Joan Charnley 1928 – 2016

Joan studied at Manchester School of Art from 1946 to 1949. One of only a handful of female students, Joan excelled at art school and continued her studies with a Diploma in Textile Design. The period between 1946 and 1951 were the most prolific years for Joan, with over 100 landmark textile designs,

In 1950 she won the prestigious Heywood Prize for Design and in 1954 sold her ‘Beachcomber’ design to Alistair Morton of Edinburgh Weavers. Beachcomber was acquired by the V&A museum in 2009 as part of their mid-century textile archive.

In September 1951 Joan was appointed lecturer in textile design at Great Yarmouth School of Art and in 1958 promoted to vice principal. In October 1963 she married the Scottish artist Archibald MacDonald and moved to Uppermill in Manchester as principal of Oldham College. Throughout the 1960s, as principals of two northern art schools, Joan and Archibald were a Northern Art power couple, holding court in galleries and hosting dinner parties in New Street. Joan’s archive reveals photographs of Archibald and L.S. Lowry curation exhibitions together, and images of Joan and Archibald visiting galleries across the country. It must have been a fascinating time.

In the 1970s and 1980s Joan concentrated on botanical designs, producing tea towels, scarves, calendars for leading British designers. She taught field studies with John Nash at Flatford Mill and lectured extensively on Hebridean cruises. After Archibald died in 1991 she visited the USA, India, Japan, Australia, Europe, South America, and the Galapagos Islands, chronicling her travels with highly-detailed art journals.

Joan died in July 2016, leaving her home and extensive archive to her close friends Julian Bovis and Nigel Durkan, with a wish that her house be converted into an art gallery for the people of Greater Manchester. Three years later Julian and Nigel converted Joan’s home into Weavers Factory gallery, and in 2021 donated the Joan Charnley Archive to Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections Museum, where they can be viewed by appointment.

Some images from this exhibition.

Exhibition 2025 02 > From Saturday 1st March to Sunday 30th March. “Freedom to Paint” by Debbie Lord

An introduction to the artist and her work

“I was born in lovely Littleborough in 1973. I currently live in Milnrow with my family….My interest in art started at Smithy Bridge Primary School. I knew I wanted to be an artist of some sort by the time I went up to Wardle High School….my journey really began at Stockport College….and continued at Cleveland College of Art & Design where I completed a HND in textiles and surface print design.

My art work is about my love for nature….I like to capture beauty and freedom. My art does not portray an accurate flower or perfect waves on the sea. Instead it is about making marks dance on the canvas and the spontaneity of the movement. I want people to feel the joy.

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to visit my exhibition. Love, Debbie.”

Debbie is holding a “meet the artist” event at the museum on Sunday 2nd March from 1 pm. All Welcome!

Some images of Debbie’s work.

Exhibition 2025 03 > From Saturday TBA to Sunday TBA 2025. “Title TBA” by Artist TBA

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

Awaiting an introduction to the exhibition

Awaiting images for this exhibition.

Exhibition 2025 04 > From Saturday TBA to Sunday TBA 2025. “Title TBA” by Artist TBA

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

Awaiting an introduction to the exhibition

Awaiting images for this exhibition.

Exhibition 2025 05 > From Saturday TBA to Sunday TBA 2025. “Title TBA” by Artist TBA

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

Awaiting an introduction to the exhibition

Awaiting images for this exhibition.

Exhibition 2025 06 > From Saturday TBA to Sunday TBA “Title TBA” by Artist TBA

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

Awaiting an introduction to the exhibition

Awaiting images for this exhibition.

Exhibition 2025 07 > From Saturday TBA to Sunday TBA “Title TBA” by Artist TBA

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

Awaiting an introduction to the exhibition

Awaiting images for this exhibition.

Exhibition 2025 08 > From Saturday TBA to Sunday TBA “Title TBA” by Artist TBA

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

Awaiting an introduction to the exhibition

Awaiting images for this exhibition.

Exhibition 2025 09 > From Saturday TBA to Sunday TBA “Title TBA” by Artist TBA

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

Awaiting an introduction to the exhibition

Awaiting images for this exhibition.

Exhibition 2025 10 > From Saturday TBA to Sunday TBA “Title TBA” by Artist TBA

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

Awaiting an introduction to the exhibition

This was the groups 2024 winter exhibition 

The Saddleworth Group of Artists is affiliated to the Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery where it holds exhibitions twice a year, in summer and winter. The members are elected and come from a variety of artistic backgrounds. This exhibition will include paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures.

The exhibition is open daily from 1pm to 4pm with free admission and the chance to purchase a unique piece of original art. They will available to take away for Christmas too, if needed.

On Sunday 24th of November there is a MEET THE ARTIST event with refreshments and music which is open to the public. Click HERE for your invitation to this event or pick up a printed invitation from the museum gallery.

For more information about SGA’s fascinating history plus current members and examples of their work visit saddleworthartists.co.uk

Awaiting images for this exhibition.

Some images from the 2024 winter exhibition.

From Day Month to Day Month TBA Planned for 2026> “The Russel Howarth Trustees Collection” > an art exhibition with works by Russel Howarth

Introduction to the artist

Russel Howarth was born in Oldham on the Lancashire side of the Pennines in 1927. After leaving school he took up a career as an engineer which he did until his retirement in 1992. It was after completing his engineering apprenticeship in 1950 that he took up painting in his spare time. In 1951 he was one of the first members of the Saddleworth Art Group (now the Saddleworth Group of Artists).

Living his life within the boundaries of Oldham it was not the local ‘millscapes’ that gave inspiration to his work, instead he headed over the hill into Saddleworth which is on the Yorkshire side of the Pennines. He recorded numerous views of the area with the ‘bleak’ farms and villages being captured often on a grey day typical of the atmosphere and weather of the area, it was these colours that were well suited to the muted tones and earthy colours he used. He painted primarily in oils on board and his draughtsmanship came through in simplifying forms and was also mirrored in many large drawings he did using the medium of pencil and charcoal.

Apart from painting he taught pottery at art classes until 1962.

Introduction to the exhibition

Following the death of artist Russel Howarth in 2020, the Trustees of Saddleworth Museum, Uppermill were honoured to act on behalf of the estate of Russel Howarth and, with other assets, offer this collection for sale. Russel intended that the proceeds go toward supporting and encouraging artists and ceramicists. The Russel Howarth Trustees will ensure that this will be the case.

This is our third gallery exhibition of the collection. We hope you can purchase one of these wonderful works of art and help us to secure Russel’s wishes. Thank you.

The Russel Howarth Trustees 2024

(Please note that when selected items are not on display, the whole collection is available to view, by appointment with our curator, in the purpose built external store at Saddleworth Museum.)

A few of the selected works expected to be in this exhibition.

From Day Month to Day Month TBA 2025 >  Title “TBA! by the Saddleworth Group of Artists 

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

This was the 2024 introduction to the artists

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 tutor.

Awaiting an introduction to the artists

This was the 2024 introduction to the exhibition

The exhibition showcases the work of over forty elected members. Paintings, drawings and prints in a variety of media including oil, watercolour, pastel, and pen reflect varied interpretations of landscape, figure and still life by the artists. There is a special meet the artists preview with refreshments and live music on Sunday 2nd June (1.30 to 3.30 pm).

A few of the selected works featured in the 2024 exhibition.