Updated  27/7/10

 

History of the Isle of Wight Art Club

 

The earliest known references to the Isle of Wight Art Club or society, as it was then known, occur in a collection of early works bound and presented to a Sir William Levinge Bart in 1891.  Amongst these is a painting entitled 'Action between Mara & S'Herlula' by a Captain Byng which is dated 1798.  This must arguably make it one of the oldest art societies in the country.  Little is known of these early days but it was reformed after the 1914/18 war and became one of the founder clubs of the South Eastern Federation of Art Societies and in spite of it's geographical position  at the extreme edge of the area, the club was a keen supporter of all the Federation activities and was represented by it's secretary on the Executive Council.

 

The club was able to hold very successful weekend schools with the assistance of the Carnegie Trust.

 

In 1930 the annual subscription was 2/6d or 12.5p in today's money.  At that time exhibitions were held in Phillips Drapers Shop, Cowes.  By 1932 there was an exhibition in Northwood House.  Music was played and the Queen was invited to attend, although there is no record of whether or not she accepted.  This exhibition included oils, watercolours, sculpture, needlework, photography and some children's work.

 

Sketching parties left for all parts of the Island on the 2.15 train from Cowes, a habit which has persisted to this day - though the mode of transport is somewhat different.

 

During the winter, weekly classes were, and still are, held in Newport for painting, life drawing, critiques and demonstrations.  In April 1930 Mr Frank Beken gave a lecture on 'The Relationship of Photography to Art'.  Other talks had the following subjects: 'Is Modern Art an Improvement on the Victorian Era?'  'Should Consideration of Money Influence Art Productions?' 'Is the Work of Women's Institutes Affecting the Sale of High Class Works of Art?'

 

The club has always owed much to the devoted service of a number of prominent artists one of whom was Alyn Williams, the founder of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters.

 

The club makes continued progress and member's works are regularly hung in major local exhibitions.

 

Club History