A day to remember! 28th January 2026

Jean Davidson's fitting tribute to Margaret Fleck who has retired as tutor to Vis Art after many dedicated years of   imparting her love of painting to novices and experts alike.  Thanks Margaret, we are and will be forever grateful. 

"Today we gather to celebrate Margaret and to thank her for her many years of dedication as she retires from tutoring at Ballymena Vis Art. Her contribution to this group, and to the wider art community, has been both generous and lasting.
Margaret’s journey with art began in 1967, when she started painting in Ballymena with Miss Millar, a retired art teacher from Cambridge House School. Over the years, her artistic path has followed the rhythm of family life. While raising her family, three boys and two girls, she stepped away from classes for a time, before returning in 1984, when her youngest child started school, to night classes with Leslie Hughes at Ballee School.
In 1985, she began painting with Mrs Forth with the Ballymena Vis Art group, a step that led her to complete both O Level and A Level Art at Ballymena Tech. Always keen to learn, she continued to develop her skills with Chriss Dearden and Helen Condy at Queens University, and later with Robert Beattie in Larne.
Her commitment and talent were recognised through her membership of the Ulster Society of Women Artists and the Pastel Society of Ireland, and in 2008 she was awarded a Diploma with the U.S.W.A.
Alongside her own artistic achievements, Margaret gave so much of herself to teaching and encouraging others. She tutored classes, delivered workshops and demonstrations, taught in schools, and supported GCSE and A Level students. She has exhibited widely and generously helped with hanging exhibitions and supporting sales. One of her greatest joys was seeing new artists grow in confidence, watching them hang their work for the first time, celebrating their first sale, and giving her time so freely at exhibitions, whether on committees, helping with organisation, or manning the gallery. Throughout it all, her message was simple and consistent: paint for pleasure.
Margaret has been involved with five different art groups and classes:

• Ballymena Vis Art
• Portglenone Art Club
• Cushendall Classes
• Broughshane WI classes
• Larne Art Society

and is widely known and respected across the area, not only for her artistic ability but for her kindness, patience, and encouragement.
Born and raised in Killycarn, Margaret married Billy and made her home in Creevamoy, where they raised their family, before moving to Carnlough, where she continues to enjoy cooking, entertaining, gardening, and creating a warm and welcoming family home. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and despite her many commitments, nothing means more to her than having her family close.
Margaret is also known as a Christian lady with a strong and steady faith and a deep love for the Lord, which has guided her life and is reflected in the care and encouragement she offers to others.
She is a valued friend and colleague, and while she is retiring from tutoring, we are delighted that she will continue as a member of Ballymena Vis Art, still offering advice, support, and friendship.
We thank you, Margaret, for your dedication, your generosity, and the lasting impact you have made on so many people and artists."