Michael Kennedy, 83, has retired after 41 years teaching Brentwood Art Society members, travelling from Kent for every session. His son takes over as tutor.
Michael Kennedy has retired as a tutor to Brentwood Art Society at the age of 83, after 41 years of teaching its members.
The society announced his retirement this month and is paying tribute to what it calls “an extraordinary 41 years of tutoring and supporting the society’s members”. For all of that time, it says, he travelled from Kent to Brentwood to lead his sessions.
A painter and printmaker
According to the society, Mr Kennedy is a painter and printmaker who studied at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design and at the Slade School. His work has been shown at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the Royal West of England Academy, the society says, and he has exhibited widely with the Printmakers Council, with work appearing in publications and collections associated with East London Printmakers and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The society says that background is what members got from him in the room:
“This depth of professional experience has brought a special quality to his teaching. Members have benefited not only from his technical knowledge, but also from his wider understanding of art, artistic practice and the creative process.”
It describes him as “a tremendous asset” over more than four decades, “sharing his artistic knowledge, experience and enthusiasm with generations of members”, and says his sessions helped artists “develop their skills, broaden their understanding and gain confidence in their own work”.
More than the classroom
The society also credits him with holding the group together over the years. “Michael’s contribution extends well beyond the classroom,” it says. “His longstanding relationships with former chair Albert Benson and Anna Crowe have helped foster continuity, friendship and a strong sense of community among members throughout his time with the society.”
Of the journey from Kent, it says it showed “a remarkable commitment to the society and its members”.
A print for a leaving present
As a thank you, Mr Kennedy was given a print by Albert Benson, presented on behalf of the society by former chair Anna Crowe. The society calls the presentation “a fitting tribute” to his 41 years, “celebrating the friendships, shared artistic knowledge and lasting contribution he has made”.
Its message to him ends simply:
“Thank you, Michael, for 41 years of teaching, inspiration and commitment to Brentwood Art Society. You will be greatly missed.”
His son takes over
The teaching stays in the family. The society told us its new tutor is Mr Kennedy’s son, who has asked not to be named.
The society’s tutored studio sessions run on Monday evenings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Brentwood School, with a new project introduced every half term, according to its website. They are open to members and paid for one session at a time, “so members can join the projects that interest them without committing to a full course”. It also runs an untutored life drawing class on Thursday evenings at the Friends Meeting House in Shenfield.
Thirteen members off to Brussels
The society is not standing still. This weekend a group of 13 members is travelling to Brussels to explore the Art Nouveau era. Its trips page gives the dates as 15 to 18 October, by Eurostar, with visits planned to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Magritte Museum, Magritte’s House and the Horta Museum.
Formed in 1958, the society describes itself as “run by members for members” and says it has more than 60 members. Details of how to join are at brentwoodartsociety.com.
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