2004 Dennis Syrett President of ROI

This election to Presient of the ROI is mentioned in Social Snapshots 2001-2022 inc.

Research by Joan West

Pat Syrett wrote the following personal profile of her husband Dennis to be published in Hallmark in 2010. This followed a tribute from the editor in 2004 when Dennis was elected President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI).

When Dennis first moved into Lacey Green in 1980, local residents probably remembered him as the one-time Wycombe Wanderers' goalkeeper, a man with a passion for football and a distinguished and fulfilling amateur career behind him.

To fill the void after retiring from soccer in the late 60's he looked for a new and challenging hobby. Painting in which he had always had an interest, seemed an obvious choice. Thus, by the time he arrived in Lacey Green a decade or so of intense application later, painting had become as big an obsession as football once had been.

His first major success was to have work accepted for the RA Summer Exhibition in 1970. This was followed by the Gold Medal Award at the Paris Salon in 1975; and as Dennis himself says "From then on, doors opened on all sides."

His colourful, no-nonsense figurative work brought him election to some of the leading British Art Societies, including the prestigious Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI), of which he was deeply honoured to become president in 2004.

Now retired from this position, Dennis continues with his busy painting schedule and remains a very active member of the Institute. He will be involved with a number of workshops that the ROI will be presenting this year and also demonstrates regularly at the popular Art Event Evening during the ROI's Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries. This is a unique event when, numbers permitting, anyone can 'have a go' and paint alongside he professionals.

Dennis is always the enthusiast. "Whatever your standard, take out your brushes and have a go. Join your local art group. Make some interesting new friends. You just never know where your painting will take you." Pat Syrett

Click Graham Cottage 2 new build for their home