Welcome to Upper
Deeside Art Society
Our aim to encourage an interest in art by providing opportunities
to practice and exhibit art on Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.
Who we are
Artistic Souls
Upper Deeside Art Society or UDAS was founded in 1992 by a small
group of art enthusiasts from the Ballater area. We now have over a
hundred members from postal areas AB31, AB34, AB35 and AB36, who
work in an ever-widening range of media; acrylics, oils, water-colour,
pastels, graphite, ceramics, print making, wood and textiles.
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Our workshops and talks are held in Aboyne, but our
annual art exhibitions take place at Balmoral and Ballater.
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To become a member please contact the membership secretary,
via the button below.
"Every child is an Artist.
The problem is how to remain
an artist once we grow up"
Pablo Picasso
What we offer members
Creative Confidence
Creatives of all abilities are welcome, with the Society offering a regular programme of talks, demonstrations and workshops that introduce newcomers to art and creativity, and refine the techniques of even the most veteran artists.
Most importantly it offers the chance to meet fellow creatives in a friendly
and informal basis.
Art Talks
Invited artists give our monthly Friday
afternoon talks starting at 14:30 and held
within Aboyne Bowling Club.
Admission is free for members and
£2 for non-members, who are always welcome.
Workshops
We aim to run one or two day (weekend) tutored workshop session for members, with a practising
Artist each month.
These workshops cover a variety of media and are
held in the Art Department of Aboyne Academy.
Printing Press
As a paid up member of the society you will
have privileged access to a printing press
located in the Aboyne Academy Art Department
for etching and allied techniques.
Un-tutored sessions are normally run
in the morning, of the second Saturday,
and in the evening of the last Thursday
of each month, depending on
room availability.
Exhibitions
Presently the committee organise and run two
annual exhibitions open to all of our members.
One at Balmoral Castle, in the visitors tea-room
at the end of March to beginning of August, and
the other at the Victoria Hall, Station Square
Ballater, for a week at the end of August.
Both offer members an ideal opportunity
to show and sell their work.
“Creativity takes courage”
Henri Matisse
Quick look Calendar
November 2023 - March 2024
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Friday 24th November 2023
Tony Pryke will give a talk for UDAS entitled Joan Eardley R.S.A - Portrait of an artist. 2.00 p.m. at Aboyne Bowling Club.
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Friday 23rd February 2024
Talk by artist Rebecca Patterson at Aboyne Bowling club 2pm
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Saturday 24th February 2024
Workshop tutored by Lorraine Gahagan on landscapes at Aboyne Bowling club. 10am - 4pm
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Saturday 30th March 2024
Workshop tutored by Mike Samson on portraiture using charcoal at Aboyne Bowling Club 10am - 4pm
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If you are a UDAS Member, check out
the posts and members artwork on the Forum.
To access click - Log in - top right of this page
and type your email address and password.
Once logged in, click on - Members Area -
scroll down and click on - Forum.
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(Please note the Forum page is private and
cannot be accessed by non members.)
“Art enables us to find ourselves and
lose ourselves at the same time”
Thomas Merton
Past Events
Check Them Out
Eleanor White
July 6th & 7th, 2019
Day 1: UDAS members having fun at Craigievar Castle today! Thank you to tutor Eleanor White for taking everyone outside their comfort zone with graphite, charcoal, ink and erasers en plein air.....a very enjoyable day. What will they be up to tomorrow?
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Day 2: Tutor Eleanor White fell in love with these old stables and farm buildings at Dinnet, so our hardy group were there with her all day today! Lovely work.........well done all.
David Wood - Aboyne Academy
May 3rd 2019
How is expressive art taught in our schools? How are pupils prepared for an artistic career?
Questions, which were informatively, answered by David Wood an Art Teacher at Aboyne Academy on Friday evening. If you didn’t make the talk you missed out.
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Check out the Blog for more information.
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Here is a selection of the wonderful work pupils are creating.
Outing to V&A Museum Dundee
May 10th, 2019
A very enjoyable and informative day out for UDAS members at the new V&A Museum in Dundee.
Lindsay Stewart
April 27th, 2019
One-day workshop with Mixed media, monoprint and collage
Contact Us
Use the contact form opposite to contact our Membership Secretary.
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To become a member you must be 16 years or over and living in the AB31, AB34, AB35 and AB36 postal areas and our membership fee is currently £18 per year.
